International Studies Assignment: Great Barrier Reef Bleaching

This essay explores the critical issue of coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef, highlighting its primary cause: global warming. The essay details how rising ocean temperatures lead to the expulsion of algae from coral polyps, resulting in bleaching and coral death. It presents the historical context of bleaching events, including the severe impact between 2014 and 2016, and discusses the vulnerability of coral reefs to climate change and ocean acidification. The essay also examines the economic implications, particularly the impact on tourism, and the role of human activities, such as tourism and fishing, in damaging the reefs. It emphasizes the need for global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as the most effective measure to save the Great Barrier Reef, while also suggesting other measures, such as controlling pollution and promoting sustainable practices.

Running head: INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
The bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef
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1INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
Coral bleaching takes place when the coral polyps eject algae, which resides in their
tissues. Generally, coral polyps reside in endosymbiotic relationship along with algae, which
is very crucial and important for coral. The health of whole reef depends on this. The ever
increasing global warming has been the leading reason for the coral bleaching all over the
world. In between 2014 to 2016, longest events of global bleaching were recorded. As per
United Nations Environment program’s opinion, the bleaching events killed many corals on
an unparalleled scale. In the year 2016, the bleaching hit about ninety percent of the coral
on Great Barrier Reef, which killed about 29-50% corals (Australian Government 2016).
Furthermore, in the year 2017, the bleaching expanded and did not spare any area. The
essay throws light on the problems and how it is increasing due to global warming.
Coral reefs are greatly vulnerable to the change of climate and it has a far reaching
impact. The reefs are basically complex in structure and mainly built of calcium carbonate
skeletons, which lie down by the hard corals. The reef building substances are greatly
vulnerable to the rising temperatures of the sea as well as ocean acidification. As a result,
the slow growth reduces required habitat for other creatures and moreover, the structures of
the reeds begin to disintegrate. Increasing global warming is harming the critical habitat of
the reefs and many other species in the existing ecosystem. The healthy reefs are the vital
reason for reef based fishing and tourism. These reefs also act as a natural barrier to
inshore habitats as well as human communities, as it prevents storm surges and larger
waves. As the reef operates very close to the upper limit of tolerance heat, bleaching takes
place as the surface water gets too warm. The normal temperature during summer is rising
due to global warming (Pearlman 2016).
The bleaching intensity corresponds with the higher temperatures, which in turn
affects the survival rate. At times, small rise in degree can induce bleaching. The irregular
changes in the temperature have been pronounced worldwide, especially during the events
of El-Nino. This occurred when the Pacific Ocean swaps heat to the surface waters and the
atmosphere. Presently, severe bleaching is occurring outside the El-Nino, due to the ocean

2INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
warming. The major mass bleaching happened at the Caribbean in the year 2005. The
primary evidence acquired is the ever increasing temperature of the surface waters. The
earth is already convinced by global warming and the environment is responding to it. The
most significant changes have been noticed by the oceans of the Earth. Apart than Ocean
Acidification, there are innumerable reasons for these changes, which are equally
concerning. The vast coral bleaching is a result of the ever increasing global warming, which
in turn affects the whole water body. The year of 2010, have witnessed largest bleaching
event and global warming is the primary reason for this (Robertson 2017).
Over two million tourists visit the reefs every year, which generates above two billion
in the tourism dollars. The income from the tourists makes a major contribution to the whole
economy of Australia. The tourists are being carried to the reefs by using more than five
hundred commercial vessels. The tourism is basically permitted throughout the park. Most of
these reefs are a part of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Various portions are however,
protected in various ways. For example, restrictions in fishing, some water animals like
dolphins, whales, dugong and green turtles are being protected. In addition to this, tourism
activities may also have a negative impact on the Great Barrier Reef. Fragile corals may
break while the tourists go for reef walking, dropped fuel from the boats or dropped anchors,
other kinds of pollution may hamper the natural environment of the water body. Moreover,
the number of the tourists in water, their sweat as well as sun tan lotions may have a severe
impact on the overall fragile environment of the reefs (Dinesen & Oliver 1997).
The tourists must be properly guided before visiting the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park. People must be well aware; it is necessary to study the map of the area, which the
tourists are visiting. Moreover, the visitors must also take care of their activities and strict
actions must be taken, if anybody contravenes the law. The healthy reefs are being affected
due to tourism and fishing. Activities like snorkeling and diving also causes physical
damages to the coral reefs. Snorkelers and divers kick up sediments, which in turn damages
the natural habitat of the reefs. Other activities like fishing, sea food consumption, boating,

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anchors, cruises, tour boats, coastal development, pollution is hampering the marine
environment. The authority of Marine Park recognizes the urgent need for protecting the
heritage and cultural values of the traditional owners. Government agencies and indigenous
traditional owners are sincerely working hand in hand, in association with the traditional
usage of marine resources (Rosenberg and Loya 2013).
The survival of Great Barrier Reef totally depends on the decrease in the global
warming. Nothing else can reduce these mass bleaching events. Cutting of global warming
can prove to be beneficial for the coral reefs. Curbing fishing and reducing pollution will not
prevent the mass bleaching, according to a study. Researchers have recommended curbing
down global warming in order to fight the war for saving the corals. Scientists and others are
taking adequate steps for protecting the reefs from the stress of ever increasing oceanic
temperatures. The deaths have become more frequent, mainly due to the increase in the
atmospheric greenhouse gases. If the oceanic temperature keeps on fluctuating for longer
time, the reefs will die. Preserving the reefs is very important, as we are completely
dependent on them, from medical research to protecting ourselves from coastal storms. For
instance, the official of Hawaii has proposed various measures with the hope of fighting the
mass bleaching; such are establishment of new protected marine areas, controlling pollution
and wastages, limited fishing and others (Dinesen & Oliver 1997).
The major question is whether these efforts could actually provide the reefs with
resistance to the mass bleaching. The researchers and scientists conducted several
underwater and aerial surveys following the Great Barrier Reef. Scientists found out the
bleaching were totally linked to the warm temperature of the water. In the year 2016, north
side faced the severity of bleaching, irrespective of the quality of the water. Therefore, it is
evident that the most pure reef parts are prone to the heat stress and are less protected.
Prior exposure of bleaching also didn’t appear, in order to provide the coral with protective
benefit. The research also explained the gravity of such situation. Therefore, it is important to
take adequate steps regarding this as the time is too less (Slezak 2016).

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To conclude, the park authority of Great Barrier Reef licenses the operators to the
designated sites of reefs. The time is less, people needs to be more aware of this fact as the
choices are minimal. It is important to protect the natural environment and people need to
minimize the usage of plastic bags, bottles, reduce the energy consumption and start buying
foods which are organic. The authority of Marine Park recognizes the urgent need for
protecting the heritage and cultural values of the traditional owners. Government agencies
must sincerely work hand in hand with other organizations in order to preserve the marine
resources. Moreover, the government should impose a tax to the tourists visiting the Great
Barrier Reef to invest into equipment in order to help saving it.

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References
Australian Government, 2016, Great Barrier Reef, 16 March, viewed 26 August 2017.
Dinesen, Z. & Oliver, J. 1997, ‘Tourism impacts’, in D. Wachenfeld, J. Oliver & K. Davis
(eds), The State of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area Workshop, the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville, pp. 414-427.
Pearlman, J. 2016, ‘Australian prime minister unveils £500m plan to save the Great Barrier
Reef’, The Telegraph, 13 June, viewed 26 August 2017.
Robertson, J. 2017, ‘Only an end to global warming can save the Great Barrier Reef’, Wired,
21 March, viewed 26 August 2017, .
Slezak, M. 2016, ‘Great Barrier Reef: tourism operators urge Australian government to tackle
climate change’, The Guardian, 7 May, viewed 26 August 2017.