Humanity risks losing the beautiful, complex reefs that have existed on Earth for millennia. Governments and officials have now acknowledged this devastating fact.

The Great Barrier Reef will continue to deteriorate, largely to climate change, and the window to secure its future is rapidly closing. That is the sobering conclusion of a major new report into the state of the reef.

The report was released by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. It confirms what scientists have long known: humanity is killing the Great Barrier Reef, and other reefs around the world, by failing to curb the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.

  • MHLoppy@fedia.ioOP
    2·
    3 months ago

    To an extent, the report already agrees with you, as quoted in the article:

    2024 opens a new chapter for the Reef. Future warming already locked into the climate system means that further degradation is inevitable. This is the sobering calculus of climate change.

    Not sure whether it agrees to the point of voluntary suicide as a stake, but it’s not an area I know much about. From the report:

    A vigilant, proactive and optimistic approach to management remains crucial. The Reef may be forever changed, but it has various possible futures. Choices made today can lead to vastly different outcomes — the path that unfolds will be shaped by the actions of many.

    The future Reef will be altered by climatic changes already in motion, but just as every increment of warming compounds impacts, every effective action taken now contributes to a more positive long-term outlook.