The Australian government is spending AUD500m ($379m) to protect the Great Barrier Reef by improving water quality and reducing the runoff of agricultural pesticides. The World Heritage-listed reef has lost 30% of its coral as a result of bleaching linked to increasing sea temperatures and damage inflicted by crown-of-thorns starfish. Conservationists have welcomed the new fund, but also called for the government to take further action on climate change. Conservationists have welcomed the extra funding, but said the government needed to focus on climate change. A report released last week found that Australia’s carbon emissions are expected to increase from 2012 levels in 2015.
The Australian government is spending AUD500m ($379m) to protect the Great Barrier Reef by improving water quality and reducing the runoff of agricultural pesticides. The World Heritage-listed reef has lost 30% of its coral as a result of bleaching linked to increasing sea temperatures and damage inflicted by crown-of-thorns starfish. Conservationists have welcomed the new fund, but also called for the government to take further action on climate change. A report released last week found that Australia’s carbon emissions are expected to increase from 2012 levels in 2015.