How does society affect the Great Barrier Reef?

Answer 1

The Great Barrier Reef is shrinking, and it is unknown by how much. Climate scientists who subscribe to the theory of anthropogenic global warming (i.e. caused by man's activities) predict that the Great Barrier Reef may lose up to 95% of its coral by the middle of the current century. Although the coastline parallel to the Great Barrier Reef has been settled by Europeans for less then 200 years, these scientists believe that the Reef has been shrinking by 20% every 100 years.

Climate scientists who subscribe to the theory that global warming is cyclical perhaps have a less drastic view, as they believe that the coral will regenerate, as it has apparently done so in the past. It is a very emotive topic.

However, it should be noted that pollution and chemical runoff pose a very real threat to the reef. The water quality of the reef is affected by sediment and nutrients, and 80% of this is caused by cattle grazing on the land adjacent to the reef. Mud and chemical runoff tend to limit the sunlight that reaches the coral, causing it to die off, and they increase the macro-algae, which is a weed.

Tourism is a threat to the reef, as tourist boats damage the delicate framework of the reef; fishing and pollution left behind by visitors also is a threat.

Oil spills occasionally occur when captains of foreign vessels ignore the warnings about travelling around the reef, and venture too close (trying to save time), resulting in damage to their ships.

It should also be noted that some 40 species which live in and around the Great Barrier Reef are listed as endangered.

Answer 2

The Great Barrier Reef is being adversely affected through human activities. The dumping of thousands of tonnes of toxic solid wastes in oceans and the release of lethal chemicals in the seas, leads to changes in the natural conditions prevalent. Moreover, thermal power plants release large quantities of steaming waters into the oceans, hence raising the average temperature of the oceans, which in turn causes peril to the Great Barrier Reef.

Society can bring about a positive effect by following 'reuse, reduce, recycle', by generating minimum waste, by spreading awareness and hence compelling the government and concerned authorities to check the illegal dumping and effluent discharge being rampantly practised.