The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has begun breaking down and continues to die. It is known that the alarming rate of decline in the habitat and coral reef has been happening for the past 27 years. In 2016 half of the Barrier Reef was dead or dying due to bleaching of the coral. Now more than two thirds of the reef has been bleached. The reef has only ever been bleached four times, twice in the past two years. Last year the bleaching targeted the north reef while this year it affected the middle sections.

Climate change is now the number one threat to the Great Barrier Reef. (Coral) bleaching is a stress response that occurs when sea temperatures increase, causing algae to die because they are deprived of food. This causes the coral to turn white. Around 400 types of coral and 1,500 species of fish, specifically two species, the large green turtle and Dugong, are in danger of their home becoming extinct. Australia has budgeted $1.5 million into the efforts on saving the reef by 2050. This process started 18 months ago.

Help to fund and get more information on saving the reef on http://www.greatbarrierreef.org/