Environmental Issues of Concern adn recent world efforts

There are three main issues of concern to do with the welfare of the reef:

1. Pollution! This is most likely the worst issue and the one that all environmentalists and marine carers are desperate to eradicate or at least reduce. It is amazing how much litter there is in the world today not to mention the fossil fuels and fumes and the growing threat of global warming. One single piece of rubbish, e.g. a plastic bag, can travel miles bringing a devastation to the marine life. If a sea turtle were to swallow a plastic bag it would choke, once decomposed the plastic would still live on, ready to claim another victim ( see diagram below). That it just a result of one person littering, imagine the thousands of people who litter each year, it is damaging every part of our world and the Great barrier Reef.

1. Some one Litters in Inland Queensland.

2. the plastic bag travels miles and miles across land, carried on wind and on water.

3. Some poor unfortunate marine wildlife comes across it and tries to eat. They end up choking and dying.

4. The plastic bag frees itself from the remains of the first victim and carries on to claim another life.

This is a great issue of concern and its solution is a top priority to all naturalists.

2. Over Fishing! Is the second great issue fo concern. Fish is a well loved delacacy in many a country, but do people realise that the fish that is not sold fresh is thrown. This can hoold true for thousands of fish at the markets each day. Marine biologists are worried that overfishing will deplete the population numbers causing many species of fish (cod) to become extinct. It is vital that human kind reverts back to the original practice of subsistence fishing, meaning only fishing to fufil needs, and not waste such quantities of fish. If one kind of fish becomes extinct that affects the entire ecosystem, especially the wide food web. Those types of fish that are consumers of the extinct species will be starved of their food, and those who are consumed by the extinct fish will rise in numbers affecting the rest of the food web. It is a domino effect and marine biologists are trying to contain the catastrophic effects fo over fishing.

3.Natural disasters! This is a more vague concern as it is hard to prevent natural disasters and impossible to evacuate the reef. Cyclones prove a terrible problem for reefs and destroys much of the coral. Some scientists believe that the increase in the number of climatic natural disasters can be linked to climate change and global warming. Although this concern is vague, people can try to reduce the amount of fossil fuels used and make the reef and the world a better place.

Recent Global and National Events

• Clean up Australia day- a day to reduce littering thus reduce the amount of litter killing wildlife
• Plant a tree - helping to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere thus slowing global warming
• World environment day 5th june - raising awareness of environmental threats
• Earth hour - turning of lights to save electricity and to raise awareness

These are just a few of the global and national efforts and recent events. Try to participate in some of these events, they help raise awareness, save the planet and ofcourse are immense fun!