The Barrier Reef Irony

I just heard that they have re-floated the Shen Neng 1 Bulk Coal Carrier of the Barrier Reef this morning. The fact that the ship was way of course taking a well known short cut and the threat of a major disaster of our precious Barrier Reef brought a strong outcry from our politicians. The Australian PM Kevin Rudd came out and said that there is no greater asset for Australia than the Great Barrier Reef and that he takes threats to the reef seriously.

I was good to see that the irony was not missed by ABC journalist Sarah Phillips and her article titled “Oil not the Main Threat from the Coal Ship”. Sarah quite bluntly highlights the fact that the main threat to Australia’s greatest asset is in fact the coal on board the ship and not the potential oil slick. Although catastrophic the oil slick would be somewhat isolated in comparison to the coral bleaching that has gone on and what is expected to continue as temperatures arise.

Maybe we should remind Kevin Rudd that a 5% Green House Gas Reduction Target effectively signals the end of Australia's greatest asset.

I would be interested to get your thoughts. Is it ironic or just simply sad that our leaders fail to realise the long term effects of climate change? Or maybe graphic images of sea life covered in oil is far more dramatic and news worthy than a slow dying reef?