The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, is severely bleached

This is the first time the Australian Government has recorded the bleaching of the world's largest coral reef, the GBR, during the La Nina weather cycle, a phenomenon where sea water is colder than usual.

Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The Reef Snapshot report released by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on May 10 detailed the damage caused by the 4th wave of mass bleaching that the world's largest coral reef experienced. since 2016. The report warns: 'Climate change is escalating and the Great Barrier Reef is suffering the consequences'. 

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority conducted extensive surveys of the World Heritage-listed reef between September 2021 and March 2022. Accordingly, scientists found that after the water began to warm in December 2021, all three main areas of the reef were bleached - a phenomenon that occurs when corals are affected to change the brightly colored algae live in it.

Although bleached corals are still alive and moderately affected parts can recover, corals with severe bleaching are at higher risk of dying, the report said. Of the 719 coral reefs surveyed, 654 (91%) were bleached to some degree.

The report was published 10 days before the Australian federal election, scheduled to take place on May 21, in which this country's residents are particularly interested in climate change policy.

In June, the United Nations World Heritage Committee will decide whether to add the GBR to the list of "in danger" heritage. Before that, in 2015, when the United Nations recommended to downgrade the world heritage to the GBR, Australia created a "Creal 2050" plan and spent billions of dollars on protection.