UNESCO want to assign endangered status to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia does not agree

In the words of UNESCO, climate change and the warming of the oceans have affected the Great Barrier Reef GBR, the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem. Hence, it is in danger. Frequent bleaching events pose a threat to the reef. There have been four incidents of bleaching over the last seven years and the first this year during a La Nina phenomenon. This typically brings cooler temperatures. Bleaching happens when the water warms, the corals lose the colorful algae living in their tissues and turn white. The UNESCO report recommended shifting the Great Barrier Reef to endangered status. It was the outcome of a 10-day mission in March to the reef off Australia's northeast coast that was added to the World Heritage list in 1981. However, Australia does not agree. Its environment minister said her government would lobby against this recommendation by a UN panel. Australia argues against Great Barrier Reef's recommended endangered status. The GBR contributes to the economy of Australia. Its heritage status attracts tourists and in case of an endangered tag, it could lose the heritage status. Prior to COVID-19, it attracted two million tourists every year and provided employment to thousands of people.

Officials from the UN cultural agency and the International Union for Conservation of Nature reported that in the absence of an "ambitious, rapid and sustained" climate action, the GBR is in peril. Environment minister Tanya Plibersek said the new centre-left Labor party government that has come to power has already addressed several of the report's concerns, including action on climate change. She said the new government has legislated to commit Australia to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent below the 2005 level by 2030. The previous government had committed to a reduction of 26 percent to 28 percent by the end of the decade. As managing director Anna Marsden said - "The Great Barrier Reef is a wonder, she's got her challenges, but she's definitely not on her last legs in any case."

Some popular stories of this blogger –

Police in Alberta, Canada, chase ostriches escaped from their enclosure, one of the birds killed when hit by a car

President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan quits as head of the governing Democratic Progressive Party after loss in election

International Space Station to grow tomatoes, SpaceX will carry the seeds

Kim Jong-un seen in public with his daughter, speculations are rife on her future

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might not attend this year’s Christmas celebrations in Sandringham

Democrats retain control of the US Senate

Police arrest a student of University of Virginia suspected of shooting dead three football players of the school

An explosion in central Istanbul killed eight people wounded 81; the authorities suspect the involvement of a woman

Climate change has a direct impact on survival of insects who are necessary to maintain the ecological balance

For our eyes only – the blind ones and eye donation

Some people are born blind and they never get to see the world around them. They are visually handicapped and get their schooling in specially designed classes. They use the Braille to learn to read and write and their teachers ensure that they develop various types of skills that could help them to adjust to a new lifestyle where they have darkness for company. These people listen to the sounds and try to visualize the scenes. Of course, some of them become singers, others go in for sports while others get employment where blindness is not a hurdle. One thing they have to guard against is their vulnerability, especially if they are girls or women.

Another group lose their eyes due to accidents or diseases. They try to get eyes donated by someone else. This concept is gradually gaining acceptance. People agree to donate the eyes. The agrrement is made during their lifetime and implemented after death. It is a noble gesture for the donor. Many people have benefited from this sort of eye donation. However, success depends on the condition of the organ and the speed at which it is transported to the recipient.

Some popular stories in this and related sites –

For our eyes only – popularity of contact lenses on the rise

For our eyes only – when kids wear glasses

For our eyes only

Street foods for breakfast in Kolkata

Street foods are popular even in Singapore

Street foods have become a common feature even in Hong Kong

Street food in Kolkata during lunch hour.

Eggs have a field day when it comes to street foods

Street foods like idli and dosa of South India have flooded Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and other cities

Street foods from Kolkata to Mumbai, Delhi and beyond