Alarming! Australia Confirms New Mass Bleaching At Great Barrier Reef

Global warming is touching horrific heights every year. Recently, Australia confirmed that its Great Barrier Reef is being devastated by yet another mass bleaching incident. Until 2016, only two events of mass bleaching had ever been reported. However, it is the fourth time that such a massive and widespread mass bleaching has occurred in the last six years due to rising sea temperatures. Scientists say that urgent action on climate change is necessary if the world's most extensive reef has to survive.

Why Is The Incident Concerning?

In Australia, the oceanic phenomenon of La Nina brings in cooler temperatures. However, the bleaching incident is a cause of concern because it occurred in the year the continent was set to experience the phenomenon. Therefore, scientists are afraid that the next session of El Nino might further aggravate the situation for the reef. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority made the declaration, which has been conducting aerial surveys, international news publication BBC reported. Recently, the authority had warned that the sea temperatures were 4-degrees above normal.

Most Diverse Ecosystems Of The World

The great barrier reef stretches over 2,300 km or 4,000 miles off the north-eastern coast of Australia. Moreover, it is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Bleaching occurs when under-stress corals expel the algae living within them that give them colour and life. They can recover, but only if conditions allow it. Moreover, last year, Australia abstained from including the reef from the UNESCO list of 'world heritage sites in danger'. However, the country has recently pledged money towards the protection measures for the reef, but experts said that it did not cover the more significant threat of climate change.

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