The Great Barrier Reef of Australia is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, taking the title of the world's largest coral reef, and its splendor is beyond compare. The biodiversity of the reef makes it a national treasure and according to the Great Barrier Reef Official Website, "The reef contains an abundance of marine life and comprises of over 3000 individual reef systems and coral cays and literally hundreds of picturesque tropical islands with some of the world's most beautiful sun-soaked, golden beaches."
The reef's amazing wonders makes it more valuable and priceless. The call to preserve and protect it has been the goal of various organizations such as the ACF (Australian Conservation Foundation) and AMCS (Australian Marine Conservation Society). According to the ACF, "The reef faces ongoing challenges such as coral bleaching, caused by increases in water temperature linked to global warming. Melting sea ice and climbing global temperatures pose a real and pronounced threat to the viability of this national treasure."
With the potential threats to the Great Barrier Reef, the World Heritage Committee is still against the idea of declaring the reef as in danger and ABC news reported that the "The United Nations' World Heritage Committee has decided against declaring the Great Barrier Reef as in danger but says it will closely monitor the situation over the next four years."
The challenge is real, the threat is imminent and ABC news reports that the Great Barrier Reef faced real challenges like any reef, such as climate change and water quality issues, but the Reef 2050 plan will be a "game-changing" blueprint to change the tide.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt is in Australia to showcase Australia's firm commitment to protecting the natural wonder and ABC news further reported that "Mr. Hunt told the committee that Australia fully endorsed the proposed decision and announced an additional $8 million for enhanced reef monitoring and further exclaimed that UNESCO considered Australia's handling of the reef "a role model for the world".
It doesn't really matter if the reef is declared in danger now or not because the need to preserve it is inevitable. As home to the world's largest coral reef system, habitat of the largest diversity of coral reefs and home to the threatened species, its importance is priceless and its worth beyond measure.
