His Majesty The King issued a major statement in support of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Exclusively for The Australian Women’s Weekly, His Royal Highness writes, “Australia is rightly proud of the Great Barrier Reef – one of Nature’s most impressive natural phenomena. Visible from outer space and stretching for more than 1,400 miles, the Reef is the earth’s biggest structure created by living organisms.  

“But the people of Australia,and indeed anyone who has visited, cannot help but worry about the future of this great natural asset. Three years ago, I toured the southern tip of the Reef at Lady Elliot Island.  There I heard from the Irwin family and marine experts about the threats from pollution and climate change facing the world’s reefs.  I also learnt about the important work being done to preserve this unique natural asset, which is home to thousands of species. 

“This is why the plans to nurture the coral back into health are so vital and why the crucial U.N. talks in Glasgow later this year need to succeed. We owe it to future generations to ensure that Nature can continue to heal herself, and that all nations commit to tackling the global warming that poses such a threat.”

The special report, in the October issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly, also includes these tips to protect the reef:

1. Sign up to a citizen science project, such as The Great Reef Census (greatreefcensus.org).
2. Think about your energy use and try to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels where you can. Perhaps you can switch to a green energy plan, install rooftop solar, choose a hybrid or electric car or catch public transport instead. 
3. Steer clear of disposable plastics (drink bottles, straws, shopping bags etc) which so often find their way into waterways and destroy our marine environment.

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