The Great Barrier Reef off the east coast of Australia will be largely destroyed by 2050 because of rising sea temperatures, according to a new report. Researchers from Queensland University's Centre for Marine Studies said there was little evidence that corals could adapt quickly enough to cope with even the lowest projected temperature rise of 2C. Over-fishing and water pollution were also contributing to the destruction of coral on the reef. The new study predicts that within about 15 years the Barrier Reef tourist and fishing industries will lose thousands of millions of dollars and many thousands of people will be forced out of work. By the middle of this century, less than 5% of the reef coral will remain alive. Most of the colourful fish for which the reef is also famous will disappear. Entitled "Implications of Climate Change for Australia's Great Barrier Reef", the study was commissioned by the Worldwide Fund for Nature, and was paid for in part by the Australian government.
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