The Reef- Jon Day presentation for FEN
Channel: Faith Ecology Network
Date: 2021-09-19

Great Barrier Reef researcher and management expert, Dr Jon C. Day presented the stark reality.  This globally well-loved, beautiful Reef is faced with 45 different threats, all but 2 of which are currently unfolding.. The largest threats will have catastrophic impacts, the top of the list being Climate Change.

The cumulative effects of Climate Change, changed water quality, increasing coastal development, some unsustainable fishing practices, increasing shipping and pollution incidents, and increasing recreational use led to the outlook for the Reef in the 2019 GBR Report Card declining from POOR to VERY POOR. Jon explained that even with so many resources, money and passion, the Government is not meeting its own targets. “The evidence is clear”, he said, “that without additional local, national and global action, the overall outlook for the GBR’s ecosystems will remain very poor.”

Dr Jon C. Day is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow with the ARC Centre for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University.  He was formerly one of the directors with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and was involved in many aspects of planning and managing the Great Barrier Reef.  His responsibilities included biodiversity conservation, park planning, World Heritage, Indigenous Partnerships, Reef rezoning and commencing the first GBR Outlook Report.