The barrier reef can be found in the Southern Hemisphere, in Queensland Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is so large that is can be seen from outer space. It is known for its scenic beauty. However, that has changed considerably over the past few years - as it is now suffering from coral bleaching.
Coral bleaching happens because of warm ocean temperatures, which is a result of Global Warming. The warming planet is affecting global ocean temperatures too. Meaning that not only is land temperatures rising because of Global Warming, but ocean temperatures are rising too because of Global Warming. Warm oceans create bleached corals. These corals are not necessarily dead, but stressed.
In some areas of the Southern Hemisphere, such as Christmas Islands, 85% of coral reefs have been damaged by bleaching. Some have called these coral reefs ''graveyards'. Not just because the coral reefs are damaged, but also because the bleaching of coral reefs destroys all other life forms around it. Namely the animal life which surrounds it; fish.
If we lose coral reefs, we lose much more than that. We lose the whole ecosystem. Including the animal life which surrounds it.