Reef Guardians
About the Reef Guardians Program
Australia is globally known as a nation with unique biodiversity. This biodiversity covers all living things that, in a way, affects the quality of life of the people, the national identity of her citizens and the economy of the nation at large. In spite of the positives that this unique biodiversity brings to the nation, the unique biodiversity is greatly defenceless to climate change. Climate change, which is a global phenomenon, is as a result of global emissions of greenhouse gases, usually carbon dioxide, from agricultural practices, land clearing and the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Presently, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached maximum heights in the last ten (10) decades, and it’s so alarming. As a result of this, the climate is changing at a rate that has never been seen or experienced before, what a great threat of adverse climate change is to the world! Is there any part of the world which is not affected?
One of the most biologically manifold regions in the world is The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area located in Australia, and it is not excluded from the adverse effects of climate change in all its magnificence.
The Great Barrier Reef is quite populous, with about nine hundred thousand (900,000) inhabitants. These people live and work in the Great Barrier Reef, close to three hundred and fifty thousand kilometres per square (350,000 sq. Km) catchment area. Can you imagine how beautiful life would have been for these people if there were no climate change? It would have been a paradise for them, but the reverse is the case.
The Reef is at a big disadvantage due to the rising global temperature. The constant rising global temperature is causing an increase in the Reef’s temperature and its aquatic habitat, and this has a myriad of destructive impacts. Apart from the Reef’s rising temperatures, the acidity levels of its water bodies are creating a severe repercussive effect, hence, jeopardising the survival of its inhabitants.
In a bid to make a lasting difference and solution to the health, adaptation and resilience of this magnificent place and its inhabitants, the Reef Guardians were formed. Since the Reef’s adverse changes are making it increasingly difficult for the Reef to regain and shield itself from the destructive effects of climate change, the Reef Guardians became necessary.
The Reef Guardians are the set of people saddled with the responsibilities of demonstrating environmental stewardship actions and activities that go further away from legal requirements. They also share their knowledge and experience to inspire others through their everyday actions and decisions.
In lieu of recent events caused by climate change, the Reef Guardians engage in the strongest and fastest humanly possible activities and actions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, hence, reducing the risks of climate change and limiting its impacts on the Reef.
In a nutshell, the Reef Guardians’ primary work is to care for the Reef to secure a better future for the Reef and the businesses and surrounding communities that depend on it.
