Coral reefs have exceptional levels of biodiversity and provide important social and ecological services, including food, coastal protection, recreation, tourism, and cultural connections. However, local stressors and climate change are causing a sharp decline in coral reefs and the more than 230 international agreements with coral reef provisions have failed …
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority “committed suicide” when it permitted millions of cubic metres of dredge spoil to be dumped near the reef, a coral reef expert says. Former Australian Institute of Marine Science chief scientist Dr Charlie Veron also says the authority no longer has the expertise …
Spiny damselfish study suggests it would take at least several generations for fish to start coping with climate change Rising carbon dioxide levels in oceans adversely change the behaviour of fish through generations, raising the possibility that marine species may never fully adapt to their changed environment, research has found. …
International efforts to meet targets to stem the loss of wildlife and habitats are failing miserably, according to a UN report. The Global Biodiversity Outlook 4, published as nearly 200 countries meet on Monday in South Korea in a bid to tackle biodiversity loss, paints a damning picture of governments’ …
HONOLULU – Warm ocean temperatures have caused large expanses of coral to bleach in the pristine reefs northwest of Hawaii’s main islands, scientists say. Mass bleaching has occurred at Lisianski atoll, about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) northwest of Honolulu, said Courtney Couch, a researcher at the Hawaii Institute of Marine …
A plan to improve the Great Barrier Reef’s water quality and conserve species such as turtles may not be enough to stave off a United Nations “in danger” listing for the ecosystem, environmentalists have warned. The draft Reef 2050 long-term sustainability plan, a joint strategy by the federal and Queensland …
Tiny marine algae can evolve fast enough to cope with climate change in a sign that some ocean life may be more resilient than thought to rising temperatures and acidification, a study showed. Evolution is usually omitted in scientific projections of how global warming will affect the planet in coming …
The billionaire Indian magnate planning to ship millions of tonnes of coal through the Great Barrier Reef is facing accusations of massive exploitation of his Indian workforce - including underpayments and exposing them to cholera. Gautam Adani has won federal approval for what will be Australia's largest coal mine and …
There should be a temporary ban on dumping dredged spoil in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef and there should be no further cuts to the government agencies that protect the world heritage-listed icon, a Senate inquiry has concluded. The report states that the “precautionary principle” demands that seabed …
The government’s plan to hand environmental approvals to the states for projects such as coal mines and ports is set to be blocked in the Senate by the Palmer United party. Clive Palmer has confirmed that his senators will vote against amending the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to …
Plans to use the Great Barrier Reef as a dumping site for 3 million cubic metres of dredged material from the ocean floor will be abandoned by a multinational consortium, the Australian Financial Review reports. North Queensland Bulk Ports, GVK Hancock and Adani Group will alter plans to expand the …
Small Island Developing States are experiencing some of the earliest and most severe impacts of climate change. Through a series of case studies illustrated with compelling satellite imagery, a new publication documents environmental changes in estuaries, mangroves, corals, coastlines and forests; as well as different approaches to land use and …
The federal government is protecting 20 types of colorful coral by putting them on the list of threatened species, partly because of climate change. Five of the species are found off the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The others are in …
The Coalition MP George Christensen has admitted he was wrong to support the dumping of 5m tonnes of sediment into the Great Barrier Reef marine park and has said he will push for alternatives to the plan. In an open letter to readers of the Whitsunday Times and Whitsunday Coast …
A senior official at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority says dumping more dredge would put extra pressure on the reef The authority approved plans in January to dump 3 million cubic metres of dredge spoil at the reef to expand Queensland's Abbot Point coal port It's a decision …
Climate change is the most serious threat to the Great Barrier Reef, according to a major new report. Warmer ocean currents are also likely to remain a threat to the Queensland coral ecosystem for many years, the Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2014 said. “It is already affecting the reef …
Climate change is the most serious threat to the Great Barrier Reef, according to a major new report. Warmer ocean currents are also likely to remain a threat to the Queensland coral ecosystem for many years, the Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2014 said. It is already affecting the reef …
The Deepwater Horizon blowout released more oil and gas into the deep sea than any previous spill. Soon after the well was capped, a deep-sea community 13 km southwest of the wellhead was discovered with corals that had been damaged by the spill. Here we show this was not an …
Tropical and small island developing States (SIDS) are most at risk from exposure and vulnerability to coastal hazards, according to ‘Coasts at Risk: An Assessment of Coastal Risks and the Role of Environmental Solutions.' The report uses an indicator-based approach to assess risks from exposure and vulnerability to coastal hazards …
The federal environment minister, Greg Hunt, has clashed with green groups over his approval of Australia’s largest coalmine, amid concerns over the track record of Adani, the project’s proponent. On Monday, Hunt signed off on the $16.5bn Carmichael mine in central Queensland. At capacity, the mine will remove 60m tonnes …
The federal government has approved a giant Queensland coalmine that it says will generate as much as $300 billion for the economy, but which environmental groups say will contribute to a “carbon bomb” and risk causing significant damage to the Great Barrier Reef. Environment Minister Greg Hunt said on Monday …
