Great Barrier Reef- 11/13

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) off the coast of Queensland, Australia, has suffered record-breaking, back-to-back coral bleaching events in the summers of 2015 and 2016. This has led the media to advertise the “death of the Great Barrier Reef.” Massive damage has occurred, and large areas of the GBR have been lost, however, there are still areas that are surviving. These areas provide hope for the GBR and highlight the need for strong measures to protect these precious reefs. Coral reef preservation is essential for both environmental and social reasons, as millions of families globally rely on reefs’ resources for income. While studying abroad at James Cook University, Haley had the opportunity to visit the iconic GBR.