An unusual obituary was published in Outdoor magazine on Oct. 11 about the Great Barrier Reef. Written by Rowan Jacobsen, the article stated that the Great Barrier Reef had reached the end of its 25 million year lifespan due to persistent bleachings and negative environmental changes.

“The Great Barrier Reef of Australia passed away in 2016 after a long illness. It was 25 million years old,” reads the hard-hitting first sentence.  

As expected, the severe content of the article spurred mixed reactions from its readership. Countless concerned readers used social media as a platform to voice their opinion in response to the frightening news. Many grieved the “death” of the reef while others questioned the authenticity of the article and whether the obituary was accurate. It wasn’t.

Other scientists and magazines dug deeper into the issue and clarified that the Great Barrier Reef wasn’t dead, at least not yet. Russell Brainard, chief of the Coral Reef Ecosystem Program at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, expressed that the article is merely highlighting the major problems facing the GBR. Scientists have also pushed for more people to pay attention to the well-being of the reef and take action to save it from extinction.    

Many scientists have also stressed that while the Great Barrier Reef isn’t dead yet, the future of the reef doesn’t look bright. Scientists want to spread the word that there is still time to save the reef and we shouldn’t give up.

Although there is still time to salvage the reef, it has already suffered immensely and is in danger of extinction. According to ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, 93 percent of the reef has been affected by bleaching, which is the main reason for its slow death. Mining, fishing, and the burning of fossil fuels have also played a role in the Great Barrier Reef’s demise.

While the color of the reef dulls like it’s future, there is still hope and opportunity to save this dying ecosystem from permanent destruction.