bchristo » 9am - Jan 21, 2012

GREAT BARRIER REEF The Great Barrier Reef has amongst the largest concentration of biodiversity on Earth with 1500 species of fish, 360 species of hard coral, 4000 mollusc species, 400 species sponge, nesting ground for endangered species like green and loggerhead turtles and breeding ground for humpback whales. The Great Barrier Reef is worth over $5.8 billion annually; 2 million visitations per year and generates about 63,000 jobs, most in the tourism industry. It is World Heritage listed: one of the 7 natural Wonders of the World. CORAL BLEACHING There are over 400 species of corals on the Great Barrier Reef. Together they provide the foundations of the greater structure of the Reef. Living within these corals are microscopic organisms called zooxanthellae that nourish the coral host through photosynthesis and give reef building corals both life and colour. They are the life-blood of a healthy coral reef. However, corals and their zooxanthellae live in delicate balance with their environment. Even the smallest changes in water chemistry can cause the zooxanthellae to be expelled from the coral, leaving the coral skeletons looking white or bleached (coral bleaching). Unless conditions return to normal, usually within 4-6 weeks, the coral will die. The important link between increasing sea temperatures and coral bleaching has been known for more than a decade. However, scientific research has recently identified that increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from rising emissions are exacerbating coral bleaching. The absorption of carbon dioxide into the ocean is a natural process but excessive amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are pushing ocean acidity levels well beyond normal. Unfortunately, even the smallest change in the acidity of the water is enough to stress corals, causing them to expel the zooxanthellae. Coral bleaching events have been increasing in frequency over the last 20 years and are predicted to become still more frequent as water temperatures and carbon dioxide levels continue to rise. In summary, if we do nothing to stop climate change: - by 2020: major coral bleaching affecting 60% of the reef will occur every 2 years - by 2050: 97% bleached every year - by 2080: catastrophic mortality of corals annually OCEAN ACIDIFICATION Carbon dioxide has been emitted into the atmosphere at ever increasing levels since the Industrial Revolution. The ocean absorbs about one-quarter of the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere by human activities. The absorption of carbon dioxide by the ocean triggers a series of chemical reactions which produces carbonic acid, making the oceans more acidic (lower pH) and a decreasing the concentration of carbonate in the water. Carbonate is vital to the building of coral reefs. Without carbonate, corals are not able to build the skeletal structure that provides the foundation for coral reefs and ultimately the reef structure erodes away. If current trends in carbon dioxide emissions continue, the ocean will continue to acidify, to an extent and at rates that have not occurred for tens of millions of years. This will lead to major changes in the marine environment and compromise the long-term viability of coral reef ecosystems and the associated benefits they provide. ZooX AMBASSADOR PROGRAM The ZooX Ambassadors Program provides an opportunity for investors in Great Barrier Reef research to identify and develop in-house sustainability champions (ambassadors). In the three years of the program's operation, 76 ambassadors from 6 companies have participated. Once selected, ambassadors attend an intensive 3-day field-based program at the University of Queensland's Heron Island Research Station. To link their learning back to the workplace, ambassadors are equipped to take the climate change challenge back into the business by developing measurable and practical sustainability projects for implementation on their return. MICRO-VIDEO Ambassadors are tasked with creating a micro-video showing their experiences while on Heron Island. This micro-video created by one of the ambassadors uses still photography, black and white silhouettes, powerful messages and music by John Butler Trio (losing you). Quote from the ambassador: "This was truly a wonderful, yet worrisome experience. It really hit home how fortunate we are to have the Great Barrier Reef and that we all should do what is necessary to protect it. This is a timely reminder of what we could lose if we let climate change get out of control." LINKS Great Barrier Reef Foundation: http://www.barrierreef.org/Default.aspx ZooX Ambassador Program: http://www.barrierreef.org/ZooXAmbassadors.aspx

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