United Nation Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has urged the Australian government to take necessary action to combat global warming to protect 'Great Barrier Reef' as it's in danger.
Great Barrier Reef: Photo credits Getty Images
UNESCO: United Nation Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has urged the Australian government to take necessary action to combat global warming as the ‘Great Barrier Reef’ is in danger due to damage caused by climate change. It also mentioned that it should be downgraded on World Heritage Sites as ‘in danger’
It is of utmost importance to downgrade the world’s biggest coral reef system at a meeting next month, the UN’s cultural body said.
However, the Australian government has criticised the move and has strongly opposed the recommendation.
The status of the iconic site is a bone of contention ad it is a part of an ongoing dispute between Unesco and the Australian government.
Following the UNESCO’s debate over its ‘in danger’ status in 2017, Canberra committed to providing more than A$3 billion (£1.bn; $2.2bn) to ameliorate the reef’s health.
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However, many scientists have said that it’s not the global warming that is causing damage, but in fact its’ the bleaching events in the last five years, on the reef that have led to a widespread loss of coral.
While some scientists have cited rising sea temperatures as a resulting factor of global warming caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
In 1981 the reef was ranked at World Heritage for its dimensions—stretching for 2,300km (1,400 miles) off Australia’s north-east coast and its enormous scientific and intrinsic importance.
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However, Australia is unwilling for stronger climate action. It is bracketed among the OECD outliers which are still resisting the pressure to sign up to a net-zero emissions target by 2050.
Notably, Australia, being as a large exporter of coal and gas, has still not updated its climate goals since 2015. It’s current emissions reduction target is 26-28 per cent of 2005 levels by 2030.
Australia is showcasing its weak climate action if the UN decision has to be taken into account, environment groups said.
Richard Leck, Head of Oceans for the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia said the recommendation from UNESCO is simply showcasing the clear and unequivocal status of the Australian government towards climate change. It is not keen enough to protect the greatest natural asset, especially on climate change.
