'Global warming killing Great Barrier Reef'

[dArKeR]

Sydney - Australia's Great Barrier Reef - the world's largest chain of living coral - could be devastated by global warming in the next 50 years unless drastic action was taken, a report said on Monday.

The Australian Institute of Marine Science and other agencies warned that without tough restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions, sea temperatures could rise to a level that would bleach and kill vast tracts of coral.

"The appearance of coral reefs and thus their amenity for tourism may be seriously compromised, and their productivity and biodiversity decimated," the report said.

Coral bleaching - when colourful reefs turn white - occurs when the water temperature gets so high that it kills the algae...

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=31&art_id=vn20030812022844403C695970&set_id=1

http://darker0darker.tripod.com

[Atlant]

1. It can't be global warming. It must be...

It can't be global warming. There is no global warming.
I mean, I heard our "President" say something like this,
didn't I?

It must be...

Umm, err, ...

I know! -- Clinton pee'd in Sidney harbor!

Or a terroristic anti-algae attack.

Or sump'in like that.

But it can't be global warming.

Cause there isn't any, right?

Atlant

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. many reefs are dying worldwide just from water pollution

they don't need any help from global warming.

[Karenina]

3. Florida has a huge problem

then there's the out of control algae...

[Atlant]

4. Do you have any cites for that in mid-Pacific coral reefs? (NT)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. you don't believe me?

Here's one article with general observations: I will come back, edit this post and add more:

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/hab/broc/reef/reef6.html

at top of this article: "...periodic floods bringing fresh water and silt take their toll"

This is a big problem, erosion from overforesting river valleys is pumping tons of silt into the ocean. The silt not only cuts out sunlight but changes local water temperatures and currents.

http://www.unesco.org/courier/2001_03/uk/planet.htm

"...Reefs are also being killed by industrial pollution, sediments running down rivers from deforested land and run-off from agricultural fertilizers."

[Atlant]

8. With regard to the UNESCO cite...

That article also cites Global Warming as a likely general cause.

The rest of the article focuses on Blast Fishing and Cyanide Fishing
damage whcih are two pretty-special cases of reef destruction and
probably unrelated to the general question of reef bleaching.

Atlant

[hatrack]

6. Here's one example from the western Hawaiian Islands

DU Environment Board

[Atlant]

7. Hatrack's article clearly cites global warming

Hatrack's article clearly cites global warming as the likely culprit.

Atlant

[Atlant]

9. Perhaps I misconstrued your point.

I assumed you were offering "pollution" as an alternative explanation
for reef bleaching (and discounting global warming) -- did I take that
wrongly?

Atlant

[NewYorkerfromMass]

10. Atlant, I grew up in western Mass. WGBH, Nova, etc. are in my blood

Mr. Spock was my hero. I put science above all.
Does that help? :)

[Atlant]

11. Thanks for the clarification. (NT)

[ohmyman1]

12. global warming

Your killing independent george