Aus. Tourism Minister Dismisses Scientists' Report On Bleaching

[hatrack]

FEDERAL Tourism Minister Ian Macfarlane has dismissed the views of leading scientists and his own Government on the threat that global warming poses to the Great Barrier Reef. Mr Macfarlane has totally rejected concerns that global warming will kill off the Reef and Queensland's $5.8 billion Reef tourism industry.

Mr Macfarlane said yesterday warnings about the demise of the World Heritage tourist attraction, and the 63,000 jobs that depend on it, were often unfounded or grossly exaggerated. "I think the Reef is in good shape," he said. He said parts of the Reef were actually showing signs of improvement. "Those areas where it is being closely managed, particularly by the tourism industry, it is probably in better shape than it has been for years," he said.

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Australian Institute of Marine Science coral bleaching expert Ray Berkelmans said there was cause for concern about the future of the icon. "The long-term prognosis is that there is going to be more and more bleaching events. Reef tourism will still go well until we have a big mortality event. Is that going to be in five years time, 10 years or 20 years? We don't know."

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Tourism Australia chairman Tim Fischer said climate change was already an issue the tourism industry was factoring in, as seen by the increased use of snow making machines at Australia's snowfields. "There is a bright future if tourism industry leaders continue to adjust to the challenges that are descending on them thanks to climate change."

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http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,18086540%255E953,00.html

I think these guys have a bright future in the Bush Administration.

[Dead_Parrot]

1. I believe the word you're looking for is "Fucktard". nt