Scientists studying the world's largest coral reef system noted that around 70% of its corals died in last 8 months. This is unprecedented. Experts link the reef destruction to global warming, which is partially blamed on people. Water temperature in the Grand Reef area increased one degree in comparison with the previous year.
Photo: the Great Barrier Reef from a bird's eye view
The northern part of the reef, in which 67% of corals got bleached, runs for 700 kilometers. The southern part is more resilient to temperature fluctuations as cold waters from the Coral Sea come into the reef area.
The Great Barrier Reef was labeled one of the seven natural wonders of the world by CNN. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The reef makes 70,000 people employed - in the touristic sphere mainly - and brings this sector $5 billion in income annually.
Coral bleaches when the water it is in is too warm for too long. The coral polyps get stressed and spit out the colorful algae that live inside them.
Experts suppose that it could take the northern part of the Grand Barrier Reef around 15 years to recover.
If coral bleaching amid global warming continues, it will be the largest extinction in history.
Winter is the perfect time to curl up in a warm blanket and enjoy drinks that bring coziness and holiday cheer. Here are seven winter drinks that are perfect for cold days
Despite the widespread belief that ultra-wealthy individuals are leaving big cities in search of privacy, most still prefer to live in bustling metropolises, according to the latest billionaire census conducted by Altrata. Let's explore which cities today have the largest concentration of people with a fortune exceeding $1 billion
The European Union currently includes 27 member states, but the interest in joining continues to grow, with an increasing number of countries aspiring to become part of the bloc. This article highlights the countries advancing toward European integration and examines where they stand on this path
