The Great Barrier Reef
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has agreed to delay placing the Great Barrier Reef on its list of “in danger” sites after heavy lobbying from the Australian government.
The reef is the world’s largest coral reef. Like many of these reefs the world over, it is in imminent danger from the effects of climate change. Other kinds of water pollution (plastic etc.) and human over-use may also be factors in the die-off of the coral.
However, the Australian government was concerned that officially designating it as “in danger” would result in a decline in tourism, especially for snorkelling.
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Source:
Readfearn, Graham. “World Heritage Committee Agrees not to Place Great Barrier Reef on ‘In Danger’ List.” The Guardian, July 23, 2021.