Antinuclear

Australian and Queensland government delegates have been asked to attend a workshop in February to discuss the joint Reef report submitted this month.

UN advisers have flagged that the iconic 2300km-long Reef is likely to be spared an “in danger” listing but they hold concerns about the tree-clearing rate and the lack of any plan in the joint report to address the worst recorded coral bleaching in the Reef’s history.

The summons comes as conservationists warn that the Reef’s World Heritage status could be in doubt…….

Dr Miles said Queensland would send officials to the meeting in Paris to explain the failure to pass controversial tree-clearing laws.

“The Reef is vital for Queensland’s economy, it supports tens of thousands of jobs. We cannot afford for the Reef to be listed as in danger,” he said.

“Both governments promised to do everything in the Reef 2050 Plan but, unfortunately, because we are a minority government, we haven’t been able to implement that one element……..

Renowned environmental campaigner Professor Don Henry said it was possible the Reef could lose its World Heritage status.

“They have done it before to other World Heritage sites, and if things like climate change and run-off pollution diminish the value of the Reef, it could be delisted,’’ the former head of the Australian Conservation Foundation said.

“It’s a global warning. We really need to roll our sleeves up and protect this spectacular asset.” http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/unesco-says-great-barrier-reef-is-back-in-the-danger-zone/news-story/b6f3f2fb02ab3314ddc4837cbc2bf235