Nineteen years ago, on this day, November 2nd, 2006,
Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey says using “shade cloth” over parts of the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland could protect it from the harmful effects of global warming.
Earlier this week, Britain’s Stern report said climate change could cause a global economic downturn and bleach the reef.
Ms Bailey says the shade cloth idea came from a scientist who found that coral in natural shade was healthier than that in direct sunlight.
“One part of the reef the coral had vibrant colours and another part of the reef the colours weren’t as vibrant, and he was trying to find the scientific reason for this,” she said.
“And [he] discovered upon coming up to the surface, that that part of the reef that had vibrant colours was actually being given natural shade.”
One of the suggestions is to attach the shade cloth to pontoons, which is an idea Ms Bailey says is worth considering if it will help protect the reef.
“We’re very concerned because this is a $5.8 billion tourist industry on the reef, employing 33,000 people,” she said.
“So obviously we’re tackling this problem from both ends – the cause of the problem and also trying to find practical ways to mitigate the problem.”
November 2, 2006 Fran Bailey shade cloth and Great Barrier Reef
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-11-03/minister-suggests-shade-cloth-to-protect-great/1300248
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 382ppm. As of 2025, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.
The broader context was that the Howard government had, from 1996, done everything it could to slow domestic and international action on climate change.
The specific context was that in September 1996 the climate issue had broken through into public consciousness in Australia, and questions were being asked. Also, as per the article, the Stern Review had been published.
What I think we can learn from this – hairless murder apes have murdered the biosphere.
What happened next – the Reef keeps bleaching. And bleaching. Oh Gaia, what have we done?
What do you think? Does this pass the ‘so what?’ threshold? Have I got facts wrong? Interpretation wrong? Please do comment on this post, unless you are a denialist, obvs.
Also on this day:
November 2, 1957 – “Our Coal Fires are melting the poles” Birmingham Post
November 2, 1972 – “Eco-pornography … Advertising owns Ecology”…
November 2, 1994 – Greenpeace vs climate risk for corporates…