Coral Reef Bleaching Crisis The Great Barrier Reef is seen as one of the most fantastic natural wonders of the world. It can even be seen from space (Cave, Damien, and Gillis). Unfortunately this reef, along with many others, is facing widespread devastation due to coral bleaching. Coral bleaching an effect of global warming, which is heating ocean waters and killing the fragile ecosystems that live within the reefs. This leaves behind the coral’s skeletons. This occurrence is causing much speculation between scientists and reef specialists all over the world. Some believe that the bleaching is not something that needs immediate attention because it has been seen to happen throughout history and now is that this time is no different. However, …show more content…
Tourism generates an estimation of 5.7 billion dollars for the economy and created 69,000 jobs in 2011-2012 (Slezak). Without the beautiful coral the Great Barrier Reef would not generate nearly the same income due to a slow in fishing, diving, snorkeling, and other tourist centered activities. This would make a big drop in Australia's economy. The loss of the coral reefs would not only have a large effect on the ecosystem, but also on the people who rely on the reefs for a living. These facts just solidify the importance of the Great Barrier Reef in many ways. If the Great Barrier Reef and many other reef systems die, the world will not only lose an extraordinary view, but potentially the extinction of many animals and microorganisms that call coral reefs home. As earlier mentioned, coral reefs have seen this event occur in the past, but never for this long and possibly to never this degree. It is hard to have an accurate measure on the history of coral reef bleaching because the records only go so far back. But some recent data suggests that ocean water has increased about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit globally since the late