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Caption: National Geographic Creative The Great Barrier Reef
UNESCO
Chad Copeland
Caption: Growing up, I heard about the Great Barrier Reef. I saw a few images of it and had heard that it was a large barrier near Australia. Heck, I didn’t even know which coast it was on. I just knew that one day, I wanted to see it.
At the age of 33, I did!
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Caption: ReefWorld Turns out, it’s an absolutely unbelievably beautiful place. And it’s huge! The world’s largest coral reef ecosystem contains over 3000 unique reefs, and is home to more than 900 islands. It stretches on for 2,300 kilometers (1,400 mi).
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Caption: Yet, as I explored the reef, I began to see a different side. Whitsunday Island Archipelago
Caption: The Great Barrier Reef is in danger. More than 2 million visitors pass though the ecosystem every year. It supports the Australian economy with a large $5.6 billion in revenue and provides nearly 70,000 full time jobs.
That adds up to a huge impact by humans.
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Caption: Agriculture, mining, shipping, dredging and industrial development have negatively impacted the reef the most. IMPACT
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Caption: UNESCO In 2012, UNESCO put pressure on the Australian government to form a plan to preserve and protect the Great Barrier Reef. On 1 June 2015, they responded.
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Caption: People of Queensland elected a new government that would focus on the problems and create a plan to protect and preserve the reef in evidence based way. With UNESCO sending ecological engineers to the reef every four years, the government promise will be kept in check.
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Caption: 2050 Initiative 2050 promises that water entering the reef will continue to improve as a result of a partnership with farmers and the government to stop fertilizers, chemicals and sediments from running off in to the ocean.
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Caption: HIGHLIGHTS
Stricter management regimes of shipping and industrial development will be held to higher standards.
Turtles and dugongs will have more protection through new initiatives to detour poaching.
Funding will help reduce marine debris and will work with indigenous communities to outline how marine resources are sustainable in line with customs and traditions.
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Caption: FUNDING In addition, $2 billion will be dedicated to reef management and research.
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Caption: On Hold In 2012, there were 5 major dredging proposals planned and through government actions, there is now zero.
As a result, UNESCO has not downgraded the Great Barrier Reef to ENDANGERED.
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Caption: Will this be enough to protect the reef?
UNESCO will conduct their next test of the reef in 2019.
Caption: Term
UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
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Caption: 900 islands
650 different types of coral
1625 variations of fish
133 different sharks and rays
30 species of whales and dolphins
Microscopic plankton supports 100 ton whales