Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Great Barrier Reef Coral Cover Holds Steady, Lomborg Says
Australia’s marine scientists recently checked the Great Barrier Reef.
The report found that coral cover stayed the same or grew in most parts of the reef.
The article says the five best years for coral cover were the five most recent years measured.
Those measurements cover 40 years.
Bjorn Lomborg says this means a catastrophe is not happening.
He also says many people have not heard about the results.
The excerpt does not provide other findings from the audit.
Bjorn Lomborg says Australia’s latest annual audit found coral cover held steady or increased across most of the Great Barrier Reef.
He says the five years with the highest coral-cover readings in 40 years of systematic measurement were the five most recent.
The excerpt characterizes these findings as evidence that a reef catastrophe is not happening.
The audit was recently released by Australia’s marine scientists.
The excerpt argues that the findings have received little attention and that alarm-raising critics are reluctant to acknowledge them.
- Who
- Australia’s marine scientists released the audit; Bjorn Lomborg discusses its findings.
- What
- The audit reported that coral cover held steady or increased across most of the Great Barrier Reef.
- When
- Recently; the excerpt does not give a release date.
- Where
- The Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
- Why
- The audit reports the state of coral cover; Lomborg cites its findings to argue that a catastrophe is not happening.
Lomborg’s interpretation
Alarm-raising critics, as characterized
What the reef findings mean
Lomborg’s interpretation
Lomborg says the reported coral-cover results show that a catastrophe is not happening.
Alarm-raising critics, as characterized
The excerpt says alarm ringers are not ready to admit this interpretation, but provides no specific response or evidence from them.
Public attention to the audit
Lomborg’s interpretation
Lomborg says the findings are news the public has almost certainly not heard.
Alarm-raising critics, as characterized
The excerpt does not include a separate account from critics about the audit’s coverage.
- Report
- Australia’s marine scientists’ annual audit of the Great Barrier Reef
- Reported condition
- Coral cover held steady or increased across most of the reef
- Measurement period
- 40 years of systematic measurement
- Recent record
- The five best years on record were the five most recent
- Article author
- Bjorn Lomborg