Marine scientists gather for coral reef talks
A major conference in far north Queensland has heard climate change is a bigger threat to coral reefs than pollution and overfishing.
The International Coral Reef Symposium will this week examine the latest research from some of the world's top marine scientists.
But at its opening, delegates discussed the Consensus Statement on Climate Change and Coral Reefs, which lays out foundation facts and is signed by more than 2500 scientists.
Those facts include that ocean temperatures have climbed by half a degree in the past century, ocean acidity has increased due to atmospheric carbon dioxide and sea levels have risen by 18 centimetres on average.
Professor Stephen Palumbi, from Stanford University, told the conference that "scientists don't change the world, political leaders do".
He said politicians need to look beyond electoral cycles to address the threat of climate change.
Australia's management of the Great Barrier Reef will also be scrutinised by scientists from some 80 countries.
Currently a designated World Heritage Area, UNESCO is considering listing the reef as "in danger" from threats such as coastal development.
A recent UNESCO draft report urged the Queensland State Government to refuse approval of any new port development or associated infrastructure outside of existing ports.
Editor's note: This story has been amended to correct assertions attributed to the consensus statement, most notably that the statement referred to changes over the past century, not decade.