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Global Coral Reef Alliance

July 2, 2005

Mr. Themba Wakashe, Chair, South Africa. NNovember@deat.gov.za
Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General. wh-info@unesco.org

The World Heritage Committee, UNESCO, Durban Meeting, July 10-17 2005

The Global Coral Reef Alliance strongly supports all efforts to declare the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System as a World Heritage Site "In Danger" from Global Climate Change.

GCRA has developed long term global coral reef sea surface temperature records from satellite data since 1982. Our data clearly shows that the Belize Barrier Reef and almost all other coral reefs world-wide are being subjected to rising temperatures, that extreme temperature events have repeatedly pushed the corals above their maximum tolerance limits and caused severe mortality, and that these conditions are getting more frequent and severe.

We urge you to take immediate action now to protect our most precious and valuable marine ecosystems. Any further delay only accelerates the imminent risk of ecosystem mass extinction.

GCRA is ready to show to WHC/UNESCO our long-term database that conclusively proves global warming is the major threat to coral reefs worldwide.

            Sincerely yours,

            Thomas J. Goreau, PhD
            President, Global Coral Reef Alliance