How coal mining threatens Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

In Queensland the Great Barrier Reef is coming under increasing threat from climate change at the exact same time the Australian government has approved a new coal mine in the Galilee Basin, with more planned, an area with billions of tonnes of thermal coal.

It’s an issue that drove the last election here, the coal-fired government of Scott Morrison winning with the promise of more jobs and development for those in danger of being left behind – but all at a price according to scientists on the reef.