If the coal port is put into action, thousands of coal ships would pass through the Great Barrier Reef every year. Green programs have coined it “environmental madness.” Photo: Shutterstock/Gary Yim
Australia’s new prime minister, Tony Abbott, has recently approved the expansion of a coal port that could possibly put the Great Barrier Reef on the endangered list. The already fragile reef is considered a global treasure. Experts have already warned Australia’s government that the area has been under threat for some time now, and the advancement of a coal port could have global implications.
The export facility is located on Abbot Point, coincidentally. Construction will involve dredging three million cubic meters of seabed. The material will then be dumped into the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Australia’s Department of the Environment reported that the Great Barrier Reef generated around 69,000 full time jobs and boosted Australia’s economy by 5.68 billion in 2012.
Tony Abbott is no stranger to controversy. He famously was recorded saying that climate change is “crap,” leaving a bad impression on environmentalists everywhere. Australia is left facing the decision of whether to make fast money from coal exports or to preserve one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Either way, environmentalists are facing a tough fight.
If the coal port proposals move forward and three million cubic meters of material is dumped into the Great Barrier Reef, it will threaten not only the World Heritage status, but marine life such as coral, turtles, dolphins, and dugongs as well.
Senator Waters reported, “The Greens won’t stand by and let Mr. Abbott rip up our progress on climate action and give the big mining companies open slather on the Great Barrier Reef. Australians love the Great Barrier Reef and we know we have a responsibility to the rest of the world to act on climate change.”
