A Message from HRH The Prince of Wales
Australia is rightly proud of the Great Barrier Reef – one of nature’s most impressive natural phenomena. Visible from outer space and stretching for more than 1400 miles, the Reef is the earth’s biggest structure created by living organisms. But the people of Australia, and indeed anyone who has visited, cannot help but worry about the future of this great natural asset. Three years ago, I toured the southern tip of the reef at Lady Elliot Island. There I heard from the Irwin family and marine experts about the threats from pollution and climate change facing the world’s reefs. I also learnt about the important work being done to preserve this unique natural asset, which is home to thousands of species. This is why the plans to nurture the coral back into health are so vital and why the crucial UN talks in Glasgow later this year need to succeed. We owe it to future generations to ensure that nature can continue to heal herself, and that all nations commit to tackling the global warming that poses such a threat.