Extensive destruction of the Great Reef in Australia due to the heat

Prolonged heatwaves in Australia have wreaked havoc on about 91% of the Great Barrier Reef, according to a new government report.

The report states that this is the first time that the bleaching phenomenon has been recorded during La Niιαa, the weather phenomenon where temperatures are normally lower.

The report, entitled "Reef Snapshot", includes new details about the damage caused by the fourth "mass bleaching" of the world's largest coral reef system since 2016, which was first unveiled in March.

"Climate change is escalating and the reef is already experiencing its effects," the report warned.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which published the report on Tuesday, conducted extensive research on the reef, which is a World Heritage Site, between September 2021 and March 2022.

He found that since the waters began to heat up last December, all three major areas of the reef have turned white, a phenomenon that occurs when corals are compressed and expel the brightly colored algae that live on it.

Corals that have undergone moderate bleaching are still reported to be viable and can recover, however, it is emphasized that those who have undergone severe bleaching have higher mortality rates.

Of the 719 reefs surveyed, the report said 654, or 91 percent, showed some level of coral bleaching.

The report was released 10 days before the May 21 federal elections in Australia, in which climate change policy has become a major issue for voters.

Next month, the United Nations World Heritage Committee will decide whether the reef is listed as endangered.

When in the past, in 2015, the UN threatened to downgrade the reef to the World Heritage List, Australia created a project called "Reef 2050" and channeled billions of dollars for protection.