In 2016, there was a spike in ocean water temperature which caused a massive bleaching event, causing the colorful corals of the Great Barrier Reef turn into a pale white, leading scientists to believe that the reef will never be the same.

Corals build their limestone structures in cooperation with photosynthesis algae, so when ocean temperatures begin to rise the algae emit poisons. This causes the corals to reject their symbiotic partners and leads to disease and death. Last year, this happened to a large part of the Great Barrier Reef, and the coral was unable to recover because of the spike in water temperature.

In recent weeks, the Australian government has reported that sections of the reef are beginning to be slammed again. A study has observed that “immediate global action to curb future warming is essential to secure a future for coral reefs”. However, last week the Trump Administration proposed deep cuts for the Environmental Protection Agency, especially the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

President Trump has also considered pulling the United States out of the Paris climate deal which is an agreement within  the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), that deals with greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020. These cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency, and the possible pull out of the Paris climate deal could have an affect on the Great Barrier Reef.

The study done on the reef suggested that immediate global action needs to take place in order to help save the reef and if the United States does not help the reef may continue to die right before our own eyes. The amazing landmark that has been a fascination to all of the world for many years is beginning to vanish and action needs to be taken immediately in order to save the Great Barrier Reef.