Thursday, July 02, 2015

Australia Listens to Outrage Over Barrier Reef Dumping

credit: WWF
Hundreds of thousands of people around the world were mobilized to protect one of Earth's most beautiful living treasures, the Great Barrier Reef. {14.05.15} WWF's call on world leaders to protect the reef has resulted in Australia's promise to prioritize the reef's health over development. That promise should result in a full ban on dumping dredging soils within protected areas in a matter of months. UNESCO said it will monitor Australia's government behavior in delivering "effective and sustained protection" of the reef from industrialization and pollution. Australia must report its progress in protecting the reef in 18 months. UNESCO's world heritage committee emphasised in its recent review that long-term threats such as water pollution and climate warming remain and will require action.