Great Barrier Reef at 'terminal stage': scientists despair at latest coral bleaching data

'Last year was bad enough, this is a disaster,' says one expert as Australia Research Council finds fresh damage across 8,000km

" 'Australia's politicians have betrayed the reef and only the people can save it'

Back-to-back severe bleaching events have affected two-thirds of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, new aerial surveys have found.

The findings have caused alarm among scientists, who say the proximity of the 2016 and 2017 bleaching events is unprecedented for the reef, and will give damaged coral little chance to recover.