Press release – 25 May, 2015Tuesday May 26, 2015, Sydney: Greenpeace launched its latest push to save the Great Barrier Reef today with a website urging UNESCO to keep a watch on the Reef and calling on the Australian government to stop coal port expansions in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.The website urges viewers to “Take Another Look” at the Reef and highlights the beauty that is at risk of destruction if reckless plans for further industrial development, including a mega coal mine and an expanded coal port, continue to be sanctioned by the Abbott government.
Visit Greenpeace’s new Take Another Look website here:
http://www.takeanotherlook.gp/
“The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living thing and Australia is supposed to be its guardian. The vast majority of Australians want the Reef, not more coal expansion (2), but the Abbott government is more interested in propping up a dying coal industry than keeping alive the Great Barrier Reef,” said Shani Tager from Greenpeace Australia Pacific.
The launch comes just a week before UNESCO produces its draft report on the health of the Reef. At its June meeting, UNESCO will give a more definitive judgement on the Australian government’s ability to be a global guardian of the World Heritage Area.
“While the Abbott Government is continuing to back coal port expansions in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, it is clear it cannot be trusted to protect the reef. At this critical juncture for the future of the Reef, we’re urging UNESCO to look at the science and the Australian government’s track record and keep their eyes on the Reef.”
The Take Another Look website will go global on June 15 and galvanise worldwide pressure ahead of the UNESCO meeting in Bonn, Germany on June 29.
Notes:
When polling company ReachTEL Australians to agree or disagree with the statement:
‘If I had to choose between protecting the Great Barrier Reef and expanding the coal industry I would choose protecting the Reef’
–
85% of respondees agreed.
For interviews or more information, contact:
Elsa Evers 0438 204 041
Greenpeace launches latest drive to save the Great Barrier Reef
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Greenpeace Australia Pacific
Greenpeace is an independent campaigning organisation that uses non-violent direct action to expose global environmental problems.