‘Life support’ measures could buy Great Barrier Reef another two decades, study finds

Australian scientists say shading reef and controlling coral-eating starfish can only be effective if strong action is taken to reduce emissions

Shading corals and deploying more heat-resistant species across the Great Barrier Reef on an as-yet untested scale could buy the world heritage site another two decades, according to a study led by Australian government scientists.

The scientists said combining life support" interventions such as cloud brightening - which involves spraying sea water to make low-altitude clouds more reflective - with better management of a coral-eating starfish could help delay precipitous declines" caused by global heating.