RantCrush Top 5: November 30, 2016

This week, scientists confirmed that the coral bleaching that struck the Great Barrier Reef outside of Australia earlier this year was the deadliest ever. Unusually warm water as a result of climate change makes the coral reefs lose their color, which slowly kills them. And during the past few months, they have died at a faster rate than anyone anticipated.

Scientists find 67% of coral in northern #GreatBarrierReef dead. Yet Aus gov says coal ‘vitally important’. Why?? https://t.co/LTsZXvtr2w pic.twitter.com/0SueAIY1b1

— Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) November 30, 2016

Coral reefs are hugely important to the health of marine ecosystems. Experts are calling for an immediate ban on coal in order to save the remaining bits of the reef, but Australia’s politicians say that coal is “vitally important” for the country’s economy and that they need to keep it.

But, what’s the point in boosting the economy if we’re also killing the planet?

Let’s be clear. Australian governments have decided to let the Great Barrier Reef die to protect the coal industry. https://t.co/ACngSj1NuQ

— James Bradley (@cityoftongues) November 29, 2016

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