The Wire

The spectre of rapid global warming hit the headlines in the world news after an American scientist reported that carbon dioxide levels in the earth’s atmosphere have jumped by more than two parts per million for the second year running. Similar increases have only been recorded in four other years and each time only in a year marked by the El Nino effect. As there was no El Nino effect in play during the time of his recordings, Scientist Charles Keeling said one explanation for the rise “could be a weakening of the earth’s carbon ‘sinks’, associated with the world warming, as part of a climate change feedback mechanism.” Other climate experts have cautioned that the recordings might just be an anomaly, though they haven’t ruled out the possibility. But while the rest of the world looks anxiously for the symptoms of gloal warming, one Australian icon has been showing it’s impact for years … the World heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Christine Baker spoke to Professor Terry Hughes, Director of the Centre for Coral Reef Biodiversity at James Cook University; and Professor Donald Rothwell, Director of Sydney Centre for International and Global Law.

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Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority