Great Barrier Reef breaks coral cover record again

Press Release

Official data confirms reef in rude good heath

London, 4 August — Official data released today reveals that Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is in excellent health, with coral cover reaching record levels for the second consecutive year. 

Aggregate GBR coral cover 1986–2022

The increase will be surprising to members of the public, who are regularly hit with scare stories about coral bleaching and false tales about a reef in long-term decline.

A new note, published today by the Global Warming Policy Foundation, explains that the data shows clearly how a handful of coral bleaching events that have affected the reef since 2016 have had very limited impact on overall coral cover.

Dr Peter Ridd says:

“In recent years, the media around the world has been reporting coral bleaching events in increasingly apocalyptic terms. This data proves that they are simply scaremongering.”

GWPF director, Dr Benny Peiser said:

“This is just the latest example of empirical data making a mockery of the catastrophists. For how much longer do they think they can get away with it?” 

Dr Ridd’s paper, entitled The Good News on Coral Reefs can be downloaded here (pdf)

Dr Ridd is available for interviews and can be contacted on +61 497900035 (GMT+10 in Townsville, Australia).