Murder on the Reef follows the hotly debated issues surrounding the world’s largest living structure, the Great Barrier Reef. But is it too late? Many scientists now believe as much as fifty percent of the corals in the Great Barrier Reef have died. And this is set to increase in coming years.
Through a complex mix of voices from politicians & locals, to scientists and indigenous elders, Dr. Allen Dobrovolsky travels the length of the reef, on water and on land, to hear the many viewpoints of those people most closely linked with the Reef. From the decimation of the fishing industry and marine environment in Gladstone caused by port dredging to the warming oceans caused by climate change, the Reef is under siege from many different threats.
But perhaps the biggest threat facing the Reef is our growing inability to cooperate and to reach agreement on the actions we need to take. The economy is often used as a foil by politicians to any progressive energy or climate policy, but some economists believe this is a baloney argument and the major banks have now stopped funding coal mines in Australia. But the government continue to support these ventures going so far as to brandish a lump of coal on the Lower House floor imploring colleagues to see its virtues. “Don’t be afraid of coal!” then-treasurer, now-Prime Minister Scott Morrison yells. This is mild compared to the mudslinging that has become commonplace in a parliament more divided and dirtier than ever before.
Once vibrant corals are turning white, the marine food sources are disappearing and the Great Barrier Reef is becoming an indicator for what will happen globally.
