In this year of 2016, the Great Barrier Reef was allegedly pronounced dead with a cited lifespan of 25 million years old. After this claim had been made, shock and horror flooded from the public. Both scientists and social media users were left in a state of disbelief. However, it was later revealed that this claim may have been exaggerated in order to promote the urgency of the situation. In short, the Great Barrier Reef is in fact dying but not actually dead. Over 93% of the reef has been affected by bleaching according to a report made by ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. Bleaching can occur when outside conditions such as temperature, light, nutrients, etc. cause stress to these certain reef environments by removing the algae needed for them to sustain life. With this removal of algae, the reefs turn white in color and are no longer able to produce oxygen. This algae also provides the reefs with products of glucose, glycerol, and amino acids which are necessary components for photosynthesis to occur. Without photosynthesis, the reefs are unable to produce carbohydrates essentially causing them to starve.

Theories of Global Warming have been tossed around after the news of the fate of the Great Barrier Reef was announced. Although the reef does depend on warm waters to help boost its heat intolerance, an overwhelming climate change has the potential to stress out the corals leading to bleaching. It is estimated that if today’s warm temperatures remain continuous or grow, then the actual death of the Great Barrier Reef could arrive as early as the 2050’s. Certain measures are being taken in order to prevent any further damage to the reef and help revive it. Australia has adopted a 35-year plan for the Great Barrier Reef called the New Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan. With this plan, Australia is hopeful to see a positive outcome for the Great Barrier Reef.