The Great Barrier Reef is not actually dead

By Sophie Lewis, CNN
3 minute read
Published 3:07 PM EDT, Fri October 14, 2016
There are 'winners' and 'losers' among corals as they respond to the accumulating impacts of climate change.
There are 'winners' and 'losers' among corals as they respond to the accumulating impacts of climate change.
Mia Hoogenboom/ ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
There are variations in the appearance of severely bleached corals. Here, the coral displays pink fluorescing tissue signalling heat stress.
There are variations in the appearance of severely bleached corals. Here, the coral displays pink fluorescing tissue signalling heat stress.
Gergely Torda/ ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
The different color morphs of Acropora millepora, each exhibiting a bleaching response during mass coral bleaching event.
The different color morphs of Acropora millepora, each exhibiting a bleaching response during mass coral bleaching event.
Gergely Torda/ ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
A bleached Acropora colony.
A bleached Acropora colony.
Gergely Torda/ ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
A severely bleached branching coral amongst the minimally bleached boulder coral.
A severely bleached branching coral amongst the minimally bleached boulder coral.
Gergely Torda/ ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
Dramatic coral bleaching, seen in Australia's Great Barrier Reef from March 2016.
Dramatic coral bleaching, seen in Australia's Great Barrier Reef from March 2016.
XL Catlin Seaview Survey
Some of the bleaching of reefs in the northern section has been described as "extreme."
Some of the bleaching of reefs in the northern section has been described as "extreme."
XL Catlin Seaview Survey
Bleaching occurs when the marine algae that live inside corals die. Of the reefs surveyed in the northern third of the Great Barrier Reef, 81% are characterized as "severely bleached."
Bleaching occurs when the marine algae that live inside corals die. Of the reefs surveyed in the northern third of the Great Barrier Reef, 81% are characterized as "severely bleached."
XL Catlin Seaview Survey
"At some reefs, the final death toll is likely to exceed 90%," Andrew Baird, of the ARC Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, says.
"At some reefs, the final death toll is likely to exceed 90%," Andrew Baird, of the ARC Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, says.
WWF
A photo taken on September 22, 2014, shows bleached coral on the Reef, a key Australian tourist attraction.
A photo taken on September 22, 2014, shows bleached coral on the Reef, a key Australian tourist attraction.
WILLIAM WEST/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Tourism on the Great Barrier Reef generates an annual income of A$5 billion ($3.9 billion) and employs nearly 70,000 people.
Tourism on the Great Barrier Reef generates an annual income of A$5 billion ($3.9 billion) and employs nearly 70,000 people.
WWF
Of the reefs surveyed in the northern third of the Reef, 81% are characterized as "severely bleached."
Of the reefs surveyed in the northern third of the Reef, 81% are characterized as "severely bleached."
WILLIAM WEST/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Driven by ocean temperatures that have been 1-2 degrees Celsius (1.8-3.6° F) above average, the bleaching event has left large sections of coral drained of all color and fighting for survival.
Driven by ocean temperatures that have been 1-2 degrees Celsius (1.8-3.6° F) above average, the bleaching event has left large sections of coral drained of all color and fighting for survival.
WILLIAM WEST/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Reef has suffered two mass bleaching events, in 1998 and 2002, but the extent of the bleaching in these years was less severe than in 2016.
The Reef has suffered two mass bleaching events, in 1998 and 2002, but the extent of the bleaching in these years was less severe than in 2016.
STR/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Australia's Great Barrier Reef suffers 'extreme' coral bleaching

Story highlights

Outside Magazine's article "Obituary: Great Barrier Reef (25 Million BC-2016)" sparks outrage and awareness

Governments and scientists are working to save the Reef after detrimental coral bleaching

CNN  — 

There is a big difference between dead and dying.

Outside Magazine published a somewhat tongue-in-cheek obituary for the Great Barrier Reef earlier this week, citing its lifespan from 25 million BC-2016. The article detailed the life of the reef, its active membership in the ecological community, its worldwide fame and the coral bleaching that has led to its deteriorating health. “The Great Barrier Reef of Australia passed away in 2016 after a long illness. It was 25 million years old,” read the article.

Immediate response on social media

The obituary was met with horror and disbelief, both by scientists and social media users alike. Russell Brainard, chief of the Coral Reef Ecosystem Program at NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, told HuffPost that he believes the article was highlighting the urgency of the situation, but that those who don’t have any context “are going to take it at face value that the Great Barrier Reef is dead.”

Many people on social media are indeed taking it at face value. Twitter users have been grieving the loss of the reef and urging followers to pay serious attention to the consequences. Many are spreading false information entirely. Rowan Jacobsen, the writer of the obituary, is a food and environmental writer, not a scientist. But the article has led some outlets to claim that scientists have declared the reef officially dead, further spreading the exaggeration.

People have also taken to Twitter to try to get the truth out. Environmental reporter Tony Davis tweeted, “Reports of the Great Barrier Reef’s death are greatly exaggerated, say scientists, booing Outside Magazine” and the Cornell Cooperative Extension at Rockland County, which cites ecological sustainability as one of its missions, tweeted “Great Barrier Reef is Dying NOT Dead! ‘The message should be that it isn’t too late… not we should all give up.’”

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It covers more than 300,000 square kilometers and consists of more than 3,000 reefs, 600 islands, and 300 coral cays.

Recovery efforts

There’s no denying that the Great Barrier Reef is in serious trouble. According to a report by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, 93% of the reef is affected by bleaching, putting the reef in danger of extinction. Bleaching occurs when coral are put under extreme stress by changes in conditions like temperature, light, or nutrients. In these conditions, they expel symbiotic algae from their tissues, causing them to turn white.

Scientists are increasingly worried that over-exaggerating the state of the reef will promote the idea that it is past the point of recovery. Professor John Pandolfi from the ARC Centre at the University of Queensland has expressed hope. “It is critically important now to bolster the resilience of the reef, and to maximize its natural capacity to recover.” But the effects are serious and possibly permanent. “The reef is no longer as resilient as it once was, and it’s struggling to cope with three bleaching events in just 18 years,” he said.

The obituary lays blame on the Australian government, noting that the government pressured the United Nations to remove the reef from a climate change report because it was concerned about its impact on tourism. But on September 28, the Australian and Queensland governments released the first Reef 2050 Plan annual report, showing the $2 billion investment toward improving the reef’s health for future generations is paying off. The plan has accomplished 29 of its 151 intended actions, though it notes that the recovery process needs to be accelerated if they want to continue to be successful.

Coral bleaching, fishing, mining, and burning fossil fuels have all contributed to the destruction of the reef over several decades. More than 2 million people visit it each year, and governments, scientists, and charities are working so future generations can continue to appreciate its beauty.

It’s not dead yet, folks.

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