By Holly Royce
Let’s start with some facts about one of Australia’s greatest treasures, the Great Barrier Reef.
• Fact: The Great Barrier Reef is composed of over 2,900 individual reef
• Fact: The Great Barrier Reef has over 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres
• Fact: The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space
• Fact: Tourism to the reef generates approximately AU$ 4-5 billion per year
• Fact: Thirty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises have been recorded in the Great Barrier Reef
• Fact: Six species of sea turtles come to the reef to breed
• Fact: 215 species of birds (including 22 species of seabirds and 32 species of shorebirds) visit the reef or nest or roost on the islands
• Fact: Seventeen species of sea snake live on the Great Barrier Reef
• Fact: More than 1,500 fish species live on the reef
• Fact: There are at least 330 species of ascidians on the reef system
Pretty amazing, right?
The following is a photo of the Great Barrier Reef 30 years ago and today. An extremely horrifying difference.
Nick Heath, from WWF Australia explains that 72 percent of the Reef’s coral has died since the 1960s – and 50% of that has occurred since 1985.
Earlier this year, the Barrier Reef’s health was downgraded from moderate to poor, (read more about that here). The reasons for the downgrade has been cited as extreme weather, farm and industrial chemical pollution and the changes in the natural order they create. Note: These are all human related causes.
But the real question, as always is:
What can I do to help?
1MW Ambassador Laura Wells, has shared an enriching fact file filled with ways we can save the reef from home. These little changes for your lifestyle are so easy you’ll be amazed! Click here to read more.
Head over to WWF’s Fight For the Reef and sign their petition to save the Reef by clicking here.
Don’t forget to check out Greenpeace’s Save The Reef campaign and sign their petition by clicking here.
1MW is reaffirming our commitment to action on Climate Change. Head to our website below for more information on how you can join us.
We are daughters, mothers, sisters and grandmothers getting on with practical climate action to live better for us and the planet. Join the movement at www.1millionwomen.com.au
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