The Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) has warned that Western Australia’s coral reefs are in imminent danger of complete destruction due to the ongoing effects of coral bleaching caused by climate change.
CCWA Executive Director Matt Roberts said a report released by the Australia Institute of Marine Science today detailing the results of its survey of WA’s coral health following the largest marine heatwave ever recorded in Australia last summer was “nothing short of devastating”.
He said the report revealed that corals along the Kimberley and Pilbara coast, including the Rowley Shoals, Montebello and the incredible Ningaloo Reef, suffered severe impacts – with some reefs suffering 80-90% mortality.
“This is devastating. Sadly, it’s not surprising given that scientists have been telling us for many years now that at 1.5 degrees of warming we’re set to lose 80-90% of our coral reefs and at two degrees we lose it all,” Mr Roberts said.
“Alarmingly, the report confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year on record, with the average temperature 1.55 degrees above the baseline.”
Mr Roberts said that in a catch-22 situation, one of WA’s most unique and ecologically rich coral reefs, Scott Reef which lies off the north-west coast, only showed moderate bleaching, surviving what other connected reefs have not.
“Scott Reef is an incredible ecosystem and home to the endangered dusky sea snake and a genetically distinct population of Green Sea Turtle. The survival of these species during this unprecedented marine heatwave is testament to the resilience of this reef.
“But Scott Reef is currently under threat from Woodside’s proposed Browse Basin gas project and carbon dumping plans.
“Scott Reef is surviving and showing incredible resilience against climate threats and cyclones, but plans to sink 50 gas wells around the reef would be a fatal blow. Scientists have warned that Woodside’s plans would cause subsidence to the Sandy Islet turtle nesting ground, and the risk of oil leaks would be catastrophic.
“Importantly the report made the comment that ‘Climate change caused by carbon emissions remains the greatest threat to WA coral reefs and all reefs globally’ (page 7).”
Mr Roberts said that gas projects are a direct cause of the coral bleaching we’ve seen off the coast. “We need to make that absolutely clear when we see devastating events like this occur in our marine areas,
“We need to back a fast, fair energy transition and reject any calls for more fossil fule extraction in the state of Westeran Australia. Our reefs are being bleached at catastrophic rates and that can be tied directly to the gas industry.
“Woodside’s Browse gas plans would unlock 1.6 billion tonnes of greenhouse gasses, equivalent to nearly 20-times WA’s annual emissions, and nearly 3.5 times Australia’s total annual emissions; our climate and oceans cannot afford this project to go ahead.
“Not only have we seen extreme coral bleaching, our forests are drying, wildfires are raging, rainfall levels are falling, and we continue to see record temperatures.
“WA is not immune from the impacts of climate change, and we are beholden to take ownership of our global responsibility to reduce emissions.”
Mr Robert’s said WAs emissions will continue to rise while the State Government continues to drag its heels on strong climate legislation to limit emissions and create the right policy setting for investment in renewable energy solutions.
“A report released by CCWA in July on the progress of energy transition found that only 25% of WA’s energy is produced by renewables - that’s a long way from reaching a target of net zero.
“With the Collie Power Station set to close in 2027, we run the risk of replacing dirty coal with dirty gas. No matter how the state government spins gas as a transitional energy source, this isn’t a science-based solution towards net zero; it’s the ultimate exercise in climate gaslighting.
“Setting a Renewable Energy Target is critical and could be done tomorrow, giving investors the confidence they need to develop projects in WA, as they are doing in the rest of Australia.
“Without Climate legislation in WA, we are sending the wrong signal to investors and failing to grab hold of the opportunities. Our renewable energy potential is second to none, we are a state of resourceful people, and we need to divert that energy and enthusiasm into energy transition.”
ENDS