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The government of Australia has announced a billion-dollar package to protect the natural wonder Great Barrier Reef. The reef, as of now, is under the threat of climate crisis. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the reef contributes to the world’s 85 percent of corals. But now UNESCO has put it in its 'in danger' list.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced Aus $1 billion (US$700 million) under a nine-year plan. "We are backing the health of the reef and the economic future of tourism operators, hospitality providers and Queensland communities that are at the heart of the reef economy." Morrison said.
It was in 2015 that the UN threatened to downgrade the listing of the reef and soon Australia created a Reef 2050 plan and spent billions of dollars into protection. At present, Australians are absolutely in favour of action to limit climate change having gone through some worst climatic conditions such as bushfires, droughts and floods.
As per a poll conducted in 2021 by Sydney's Lowy Institute, it was discovered that 60 percent of Australians believed "global warming is a serious and pressing problem". And Australia being the biggest exporters of coal and gas in the world needs to protect and safeguard its natural treasure.
According to the reports, this government's fund will mostly be spent on preventing damaging agricultural runoff from polluting the reef and the other quarter of the package will be used to reduce threats from Crown of Thorns Starfish (coral eating) by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
photo credit: wikimedia commons
