1. HUMAN EFFECT ON THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Helen Fish, Rebecca Ofri, Eda Zhang, and Peter Zuraw
Global Residential College

2. What is the Great Barrier Reef?
Located off the coast of Queensland, Australia
World’s largest single structure made by living organisms. It is the main habitat for animals and underwater life
Spans over 344, 000 square kilometers; composed of 600 islands and , 000 individual reef systems

3. Introduction Destruction of the Great Barrier Reef due to: Pollution
Climate Change
Ocean Acidification

4. POLLUTION

5. Littering and Abundance of Trash
Trash gets into rivers/streams
7 billion tons of litter is released into ocean every year
Animals try to eat toxic garbage or get stuck in it

6. Agriculture Pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals Animal waste
Poisonous phosphorus and nitrogen

7. CLIMATE CHANGE

8. What is Climate Change?
Long-term shift in weather conditions caused by changes in temperature, precipitation, winds patterns
Natural causes: changes in the Earth’s orbit, the sun’s intensity, the circulation of the ocean and the atmosphere, and volcanic activity
Human causes: burning fossil fuels,
down forests, and developing land for
farms, cities, and roads. These
activities all release greenhouse
gases into the atmosphere.
Contributes to global warming

9. Rising Sea Temperatures
Corals live within a limited temperature range, from 77℉ - 84℉
When temperatures exceed their temperature range, corals move to a state of thermal stress
Under thermal stress, corals expel algae, called zooxanthellae
This results in corals taking on a white appearance,
known as “coral bleaching”
Coral bleaching can lead to the death of corals

10. Rising Sea Levels Two major causes: thermal expansion
(caused by rising sea temperatures) and
melting of land-based ice
Sea-level rise increases sedimentation, that interferes with photosynthesis
Coral reefs and their algal cells require clean and clear water, so sunlight can reach them

11. OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

12. Caused by agricultural and industrial processes used by humans
Fundamental changes in seawater chemistry are occurring throughout the world's oceans
The release of carbon dioxide (CO2) from humankind's industrial and agricultural activities has increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere
The ocean absorbs about a quarter of the CO2 we release into the atmosphere every year

13. Climate change alters ocean chemistry leading to ocean acidification
Carbon dioxide that enters the atmosphere dissolves into the ocean
Oceans have absorbed about ⅓ the carbon dioxide produced from human activities since 1800 and about ½ of the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels.
As carbon dioxide in the ocean increases,
ocean pH decreases and becomes more
acidic, leading to ocean acidification.

14. RECOMMENDATIONS

15. Recommendations/Solutions
Individuals can take action on their own to help out. Spreading ideas through organizations from the local level to the national can spread awareness. Things like:
Not polluting the world’s oceans
Stopping excess water runoff
Planting trees to reduce emissions
Conserving water
Creating artificial reefs

16. Exploring coral
Often times coral can be hurt by those who want to enjoy its beauty when they touch, break, or anchor in the coral.
Divers must be sure to refrain from touching coral
Keep boats away from shallow areas with coral
Sticking to the right areas when diving

17. International Involvement
However, while these are important to aid the health of coral, there is only one true way to guarantee their survival:
Reversal of climate change
IGO’s and NGO’s
Working together to substantially reduce emissions
Alternative energy sources
More regulations to keep the reef safe

18. Conclusion
Humans have been a burden to the Great Barrier Reef and caused issues through pollution, climate change, and ocean acidification
Recommendations and solutions:
Individuals helping on a local level makes a difference
2. Careful exploration of the world’s coral
3. Cooperation of international and transnational organizations to focus and end climate change.

19. Work Cited
"Conservation of the Great Barrier Reef Australia - WWF.", accessed Oct 24, 2017,
Griffith, Hywel "Barrier Reef Coral Bleaching 'Worst Ever'." BBC News,
Cave, Damien and Justin Gillis "Large Sections of Australia’s Great Reef are Now Dead, Scientists Find." The New York Times,
Cheal, Alistair J., Shaun K. Wilson, Michael J. Emslie, Andrew M. Dolman, and Hugh Sweatman. "Responses of Reef Fish Communities to Coral Declines on the Great Barrier Reef." Marine Ecology Progress Series 372 (2008):
"Mangroves in the Face of Climate Change." Reef Resilience. August 30, Accessed December 01,

20. Work Cited Continued
Fidelman, Pedro I.J. "Climate Change Adaptation in the Great Barrier Reef Iconic National Park System." The George Wright Forum 31, no. 3 (2014):
"Coral Reef Biodiversity." Coral Reef Alliance. Accessed December 01,
"Biodiversity." Australia Government - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Accessed December 01,
"Impacts of rising sea temperatures on the Reef." Australia Government - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Accessed December 01,
Google Images

21. Q & A