Ocean temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef have reached unprecedented levels, according to new research.
A group of academics, including UOW researchers, analysed ocean temperatures on the Great Barrier Reef over 400 years, finding that the last few years have been extremely high compared to the previous four centuries.
Professor Helen McGregor from the UOW School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences was one of the authors of the article, ‘Highest Ocean Heat in Four Centuries Places Great Barrier Reef in Danger’, and she has expressed her concerns about these high temperatures and subsequent coral bleaching events.
“What we are concerned about in particular is because we have been having these bleaching events almost year after year, the corals are not having that chance to recover,” Professor McGregor said.
“What you end up being left with is quite a structural change in the reef.”
Despite these concerns, Professor McGregor has said there are many things that can be done to make a difference, including travelling to campus using non fossil fuel means such as public transport, riding, or walking.
She also suggested using the online carbon footprint calculator to see what changes could be beneficial to your lifestyle, and praised students for their efforts in advocating for change.
“I know students in the last few years have been great at marching in the streets, knocking on doors, raising awareness,” she said.
“I think that’s just such a wonderful thing that students are doing. I would encourage students to keep doing that.”
As for the recent publication, Professor McGregor hopes this article can contribute to the broader conversation about climate change and coral bleaching.
“I just hope it is a beacon that people can use to go ‘right, this has crossed a line. We need to do something about this’,” Professor McGregor said.
