Fears for Great Barrier Reef as deforestation surges in catchments
by Michael Slezak from Environment | The Guardian on (#385KG)
Calls grow for the federal government to step in as erosion from intensified land clearing in Queensland threatens coral
A deforestation surge in Queensland, which the latest government data suggests is about to accelerate dramatically, is heavily concentrated in catchments for the Great Barrier Reef, further undermining plans to improve reef water quality.
The finding has renewed calls for the federal government to use its powers to assess the impact of clearing there until the Queensland government is able to pass legislation to halt it itself.
Continue reading...