The Great Barrier Reef at Risk with Hottest Ocean Temperatures for 400 Years

[Social Media]

 

Recent research has revealed that the waters surrounding Australia's Great Barrier Reef have warmed to levels not seen in the past 400 years. This alarming trend, which has been particularly evident over the past decade, poses a significant threat to the world’s largest coral reef system. The Great Barrier Reef, a living ecosystem that extends approximately 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) along the coast of Queensland, is now under severe threat due to these rising temperatures.

 

This study stands out for its historical perspective on the impact of man-made climate change. Unlike many previous surveys that focused on more recent damage to the reef, this research delves into a much longer timeline. A team of scientists from various Australian universities conducted the research by drilling cores into the coral. By analyzing these samples, they were able to track summer ocean temperatures dating back to 1618, using a method similar to counting the rings of a tree.

 

Their findings, combined with data from ships and satellites over the past century, present a clear picture: ocean temperatures were stable for hundreds of years, only beginning to rise significantly around 1900. This upward trend coincides with the increased influence of human activities on the environment, underscoring the profound impact of industrialization and greenhouse gas emissions on the planet's ecosystems.

 

Between 1960 and 2024, the researchers observed an average annual warming of 0.12°C (0.22°F) per decade from January to March. This gradual but steady increase in temperature has had devastating effects on the Great Barrier Reef. Since 2016, the reef has endured five summers of mass coral bleaching. This phenomenon occurs when corals, under heat stress, expel the symbiotic algae living within them, causing the corals to turn white. Bleached corals are not only more susceptible to disease and death but also lose their vibrant colors, which are a major draw for tourists.

 

These five summers of mass bleaching coincided with five of the six warmest years in the past 400 years, according to the study. The most recent temperature data, from January to March 2024, was the highest on record and significantly surpassed previous years. "The world is losing one of its icons," said Benjamin Henley, an academic at the University of Melbourne and one of the study's co-authors. "I find that to be an absolute tragedy. It's hard to understand how that can happen on our watch in our lifetime. So it's very, very sad."

 

The implications of this warming trend extend beyond the health of the reef itself. Coral reefs play a crucial role in protecting shorelines from erosion, providing habitat for thousands of fish species, and supporting the tourism industry. The Great Barrier Reef alone contributes approximately A$6.4 billion (US$4.2 billion) to the Australian economy each year. Its decline could have serious economic consequences for the region, in addition to its environmental impact.

 

The situation is not unique to Australia. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported that at least 54 countries and regions have experienced mass bleaching of their reefs since February 2023, as climate change continues to warm the ocean's surface waters. This widespread bleaching is a stark reminder of the global nature of the climate crisis and its far-reaching effects on marine ecosystems.

 

Despite the dire situation, the Great Barrier Reef is not currently on UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites in danger. However, the UN has recommended that it be added to the list, given the mounting evidence of its vulnerability. Australia has lobbied extensively to keep the reef off the endangered list, fearing that such a designation could harm the tourism industry, which relies heavily on the reef’s allure.

 

Lissa Schindler, the Great Barrier Reef campaign manager at the Australian Marine Conservation Society, emphasized the urgent need for Australia to take more aggressive action to combat climate change. "Australia must increase its ambition, action, and commitments to battle climate change and protect our greatest natural asset," she said.

 

The future of the Great Barrier Reef hangs in the balance, as rising ocean temperatures continue to push this natural wonder to its limits. The study serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of addressing climate change now to preserve not only the reef but also the countless ecosystems and communities that depend on it.

 

Credit: AXIOS  2024-08-12

 

 

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[placeholder]

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Recent research has revealed that the waters surrounding Australia's Great Barrier Reef have warmed to levels not seen in the past 400 years. This alarming trend, which has been particularly evident over the past decade, poses a significant threat to the world’s largest coral reef system. The Great Barrier Reef, a living ecosystem that extends approximately 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) along the coast of Queensland, is now under severe threat due to these rising temperatures.

 

This study stands out for its historical perspective on the impact of man-made climate change. Unlike many previous surveys that focused on more recent damage to the reef, this research delves into a much longer timeline. A team of scientists from various Australian universities conducted the research by drilling cores into the coral. By analyzing these samples, they were able to track summer ocean temperatures dating back to 1618, using a method similar to counting the rings of a tree.

 

Their findings, combined with data from ships and satellites over the past century, present a clear picture: ocean temperatures were stable for hundreds of years, only beginning to rise significantly around 1900. This upward trend coincides with the increased influence of human activities on the environment, underscoring the profound impact of industrialization and greenhouse gas emissions on the planet's ecosystems.

 

Between 1960 and 2024, the researchers observed an average annual warming of 0.12°C (0.22°F) per decade from January to March. This gradual but steady increase in temperature has had devastating effects on the Great Barrier Reef. Since 2016, the reef has endured five summers of mass coral bleaching. This phenomenon occurs when corals, under heat stress, expel the symbiotic algae living within them, causing the corals to turn white. Bleached corals are not only more susceptible to disease and death but also lose their vibrant colors, which are a major draw for tourists.

 

These five summers of mass bleaching coincided with five of the six warmest years in the past 400 years, according to the study. The most recent temperature data, from January to March 2024, was the highest on record and significantly surpassed previous years. "The world is losing one of its icons," said Benjamin Henley, an academic at the University of Melbourne and one of the study's co-authors. "I find that to be an absolute tragedy. It's hard to understand how that can happen on our watch in our lifetime. So it's very, very sad."

 

The implications of this warming trend extend beyond the health of the reef itself. Coral reefs play a crucial role in protecting shorelines from erosion, providing habitat for thousands of fish species, and supporting the tourism industry. The Great Barrier Reef alone contributes approximately A$6.4 billion (US$4.2 billion) to the Australian economy each year. Its decline could have serious economic consequences for the region, in addition to its environmental impact.

 

The situation is not unique to Australia. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported that at least 54 countries and regions have experienced mass bleaching of their reefs since February 2023, as climate change continues to warm the ocean's surface waters. This widespread bleaching is a stark reminder of the global nature of the climate crisis and its far-reaching effects on marine ecosystems.

 

Despite the dire situation, the Great Barrier Reef is not currently on UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites in danger. However, the UN has recommended that it be added to the list, given the mounting evidence of its vulnerability. Australia has lobbied extensively to keep the reef off the endangered list, fearing that such a designation could harm the tourism industry, which relies heavily on the reef’s allure.

 

Lissa Schindler, the Great Barrier Reef campaign manager at the Australian Marine Conservation Society, emphasized the urgent need for Australia to take more aggressive action to combat climate change. "Australia must increase its ambition, action, and commitments to battle climate change and protect our greatest natural asset," she said.

 

The future of the Great Barrier Reef hangs in the balance, as rising ocean temperatures continue to push this natural wonder to its limits. The study serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of addressing climate change now to preserve not only the reef but also the countless ecosystems and communities that depend on it.

 

Credit: AXIOS  2024-08-12

 

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information.

Most of the attention toward climate change and global warming is directed at atmospheric temperatures a few feet above the surface of the land. Given that this is measuring air, the fluctuation in temperature can be erratic making it more difficult to separate out the static from the signal. But in the case of ocean heat storage it's a lot more clear because of the high specific heat of sea water which means temperature fluctuations are greatly reduced.

 

"Ninety percent of global warming is occurring in the ocean, causing the water’s internal heat to increase since modern recordkeeping began in 1955, as shown in the upper chart. (The shaded blue region indicates the 95% margin of uncertainty.) This chart shows annual estimates for the first 2,000 meters of ocean depth."

https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/ocean-warming/?intent=121

[Will B Good]

3 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Most of the attention toward climate change and global warming is directed at atmospheric temperatures a few feet above the surface of the land. Given that this is measuring air, the fluctuation in temperature can be erratic making it more difficult to separate out the static from the signal. But in the case of ocean heat storage it's a lot more clear because of the high specific heat of sea water which means temperature fluctuations are greatly reduced.

 

"Ninety percent of global warming is occurring in the ocean, causing the water’s internal heat to increase since modern recordkeeping began in 1955, as shown in the upper chart. (The shaded blue region indicates the 95% margin of uncertainty.) This chart shows annual estimates for the first 2,000 meters of ocean depth."

https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/ocean-warming/?intent=121

 

 

Just trying to think how the deniers are going to tackle this.....

 

Undersea volcanoes

Increased geothermal activity

Warmer/increased sewage discharges

Natural variation in circulation patterns

The sun is getting hotter

Less fish