The Great Barrier Reef Is Over Within 20 Years
Charlie Veron, 2009: 'The Great Barrier Reef Will Be Over Within 20 Years or So'
The coral scientist, a former chief scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, told The Times there was 'no way out, no loopholes.'
What was said
“There is no way out, no loopholes. The Great Barrier Reef will be over within 20 years or so.”
— J.E.N. 'Charlie' Veron (former chief scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science) · said Jul 6, 2009 · due About 20 years from July 2009
The Story
Reported by Jonathan Leake, The Times (London), 'Great Barrier Reef will be gone in 20 years, says Charlie Veron' (July 2009); The Times page is paywalled, so the quote is taken from a same-week reprint.
He added that once carbon dioxide reached levels predicted for 2030-2060, 'all coral reefs were doomed to extinction.' The reef has suffered repeated mass bleaching since 2016; this file will judge it at the deadline. Compare worm-fish-2048.