GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTS
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
ACTIVTY NINE
Aim:
Understand that human activity in Australia impacts on the Great Barrier
Reef and coral reefs around the world.
1. Write the heading in your workbook:
Australia’s impact on Coral Reefs
2. Copy the following text into your workbook:
Greenhouse gas occurs naturally and is important in keeping the
Earth’s atmosphere warm.
Human activity also produces greenhouse gas.
For example we produce greenhouse gas when we burn fossil fuels
such as coal to produce electricity.
However humans are producing too much greenhouse gas and it is
making the Earth’s atmosphere warmer than nature intended.
Every time we put on an air conditioner, heater or fan we are using
electricity. The more electricity we use, the more coal we burn, the
more greenhouse gas we produce, the warmer the planet becomes!
The warming of Planet Earth – global warming – is warming up our
oceans and the coral reefs cannot cope.
Warmer sea waters make the coral stress eventually making them
bleach (turn white) and die.
3. Use a resource book to find out about coral bleaching.
Write a 4-5 sentences to explain what coral bleaching is.
4. Read the following text:
The 1997 Kyoto Agreement was that each country would reduce its
greenhouse gas emissions by 5% from 1990 levels by 2010.
However, the Australian government argued that this wasn’t fair
for Australia and is allowed to increase greenhouse gas emissions
by 8% from 1990 levels by 2010 instead of decreasing emissions.
Australia had already increased this 8% by the year 2000.
5. Think about ways that you can DECREASE greenhouse gas emissions.
Share your ideas with the class during discussion time. 
6. Write five ways that you can you help decrease Australia’s greenhouse
gas emissions.
7. Write a letter to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage explaining
your concerns about Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions in relation to
all that you have been learning about the Great Barrier Reef and coral
reefs around the world.
The Hon Ian Campbell MP
Minister for the Environment and Heritage.
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Email: senator.ian.campbell@aph.gov.au
8. Discuss the letter with your parents.
Decide if you should send your letter.