A recent shocking report by the Australian government has lowered the outlook for the Great Barrier Reef to “Very Poor,” the lowest possible grade.
The report cited many reasons for the downgrade of the outlook. However, some of the more prominent ones mentioned in the report include:
- Climate change.
- Overfishing.
- Crown of thorns- coral-eating starfish.
The news is a blow for the Great Barrier Reef which in recent years has suffered from two large coral bleaching events, as well as being battered by six tropical cyclones.
Although the report struck a downbeat tone, its concluded with a more positive note, citing local protection actions that can be taken to halt its decline, as well as global action to fight climate change which is the main driver of the destruction of the reef.
Read the report here.