Australian government criticized as Great Barrier Reef severely damaged

As Australia's Great Barrier Reef was found severely damaged, the government faces massive criticism both at home and abroad for slackness on reef protection and the official promotion of fossil fuels usage.

The Great Barrier Reef, according to a report by Climate Central, an independent organization of scientists and journalists reporting the changing climate and its impact, is undergoing a "complete ecosystem collapse."

It refers to the devastating bleaching of the reef and the decrease of marine animals near Queensland, the Russian English-language channel RT reported on Saturday.

Worrying about the ecosystem of the coral reefs, experts and scientists attending the International Coral Reef Symposium that was held in late June even sent a letter to the Australian government calling for better conserving the nation's reefs and curbing fossil fuel consumption.

"The damage to this Australian icon has already been devastating. In addition to damage from greenhouse gasses, port dredging and shipping of fossil fuels across the Great Barrier Reef contravene Australia's responsibilities for stewardship of the Reef under the World Heritage Convention," the letter addressed to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was quoted by reports as saying.

Greenpeace members also voiced their disappointment on the Australian government's slackness on reef protection, blaming the official promotion of fossil fuels usage, which largely leads the rise of temperature and which consequently causes reef bleaching.

The newly approved projects of the Queensland Carmichael coalmine and the Abbot Point terminal to filiate the export of fossil fuels are regarded as further actions damaging the coral reefs.

"Protecting the reef and approving the Carmichael mining lease are diametrically opposed," Greenpeace Spokesman Shani Tager said.

The recent appointment of Josh Frydenberg as the environment and energy minister was also questioned as the appointee, who is nicknamed "Mr. Coal," is known for his belief that digging coal is a moral way to lift poverty.

"Meet Mr. Coal -- our new climate change minister. Protection for the Great Barrier Reef does not augur well ..." the Independent Australia posted on its Facebook page.

The Great Barrier Reef receives more than 1.9 million visitors each year, and contributed almost 5.2 billion Australian dollars (3.87 billion U.S. dollars) to the nation's economy, according to Queensland government. Endi