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Australia: A lot of money should save the Great Barrier Reef

2022-01-28T16:46:49.242Z


Australia wants to put more than 600 million euros into protecting the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. But researchers have doubts: They suspect another motive behind the government's plan.


AreaRead the video transcript expand here

It is said to be good news for Australia's unique underwater world: on Friday, Scott Morrison's government announced that it would raise one billion Australian dollars, or around 600 million euros, for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef in the future.

Scott Morrison, Australian Prime Minister:

“That means we take care of the reef.

Whether it's about science, our fight against the crown-of-thorns starfish, or improving water quality.

What this plan and package is about is collaboration.”

The announcement to put a lot of money into the protection of the threatened coral reef ecosystem seems at first glance to be in line with nature.

But scientists are not impressed by the project.

Jodie Rummer, Professor of Marine Biology:

“All of these efforts are aimed at improving water quality. They are designed to reduce erosion, land use, and discharge of nutrients and pesticides, all of which of course contribute to the proliferation of crown-of-thorns starfish. These are all problems that the reef faces, clearly. But all of these solutions and efforts will be in vain if we don't address the reef's main problem: the effects of warming that accompanies climate change.”

Since 2014, the Australian government has put more than AUD 2 billion into the Billion Dollar Reef Protection Package.

But critics doubt the Morrison government's latest billion is really about the riff.

The money should not flow all at once, but over nine years – should the conservative government be re-elected.

This year there will be elections in Australia.

Another accusation is therefore: Scott Morrison wants to ensnare the electorate in the state of Queensland, who live off the reef.

Tens of thousands of people work there in tourism, gastronomy and hospitality.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia's most famous natural attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 2021, it was on the verge of being listed as a Natural Heritage Site in Danger by the United Nations.

Australia's lobbying has prevented this - so far.

Jodie Rummer, Professor of Marine Biology:

“When the United Nations is considering listing the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage Site in Danger, I think that speaks volumes.

They have challenged us to make an effort to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and develop real, logical and workable climate policies.

That hasn't happened yet."

The Great Barrier Reef is suffering from the man-made climate crisis.

The warming of the water causes corals to die off.

According to one study, 98 percent of the reef has been affected by this "coral bleaching" since the late 1990s.

Despite these alarming signs, Australia is struggling with climate protection.

Last October, the country committed to climate neutrality by 2050, but Down Under does not want to get out of coal.

Hard coal is also mined in Queensland - very close to the Great Barrier Reef.

Source: spiegel

All tech articles on 2022-01-28

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