Is the Great Barrier Reef endangered?

Answer 1

The Great Barrier Reef does not have an official listing of "endangered". However, it is certainly at risk from various factors, and it is known to be shrinking, but 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. Mud and chemical runoff tend to limit the sunlight that reaches the coral, causing it to die off. Global warming issues aside, the Great Barrier Reef is most definitely shrinking.

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