The GBR is one of just a handful of places that can be considered truly central to Australian identity at national scale. And 'digger' remains an evocative epithet in Australian culture. But we can’t keep both. At least not in their present forms.
 
Yes, it is disappointing that the Federal Government has been so slow to affect meaningful change in management of the GBR, as climate-change exacerbates ongoing land-based threats. And it should surprise nobody that a political body like UNESCO made a political decision. But political rhetoric doesn’t alter facts, no matter who that rhetoric comes from. Few scientists would dispute that the Reef as a whole is in deep trouble. And every scrap of evidence I have seen confirms that the Reef will not survive this century unless global governments reject Australia’s vocal pursuit of a fossil-fuelled future. We need fundamental change in our approach.

If we want the GBR in our future, we need to leave digging in the past.

The decision by the World Heritage Committee to not list the reef as ‘in danger’ does not change the imperilled state of the reef, and little will change between now and February 2022 when Australia must report back. To preserve the reef, Australia must actually address climate change by urgently cutting carbon emissions and initiating more ambitious targets to reach net zero emissions. The report back provides an opportunity for Australia to change its approach to addressing climate change and to demonstrate its commitment to tackling the global issue of climate change.