--- title: "Amazing News! The Great Barrier Reef Just Made a Massive Comeback" description: "Rejoice! Two-thirds of Australia's Great Barrier Reef has recorded the greatest amount of coral cover in almost 40 years." date: "2022-08-06" modified: "2022-08-06" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/great-barrier-reef-massive-comeback" categories: - "Climate Change" - "Environment" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "climate change" - "coral bleaching" - "great barrier reef" - "the digest" --- # Amazing News! The Great Barrier Reef Just Made a Massive Comeback ![]() *\Image: Getty Images\* ## Comeback Kid Rejoice! Two-thirds of Australia's Great Barrier Reef recorded the greatest amount of coral cover in almost 40 years, [according to a new report]() by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). Climate change has absolutely gutted the reef. Warming seas increased both the frequency and intensity of underwater heatwaves — the leading cause of [devastating coral bleaching]() — draining the vibrant (and vital) underwater ecosystem of its life and color. And yet: Per the AIMS report, the northern and central areas of the vital undersea habitat are showing encouraging signs of recovery. It's a heartening sign that the reef, if properly protected, might yet one day make a full recovery. "Every summer the Reef is at risk of temperature stress, bleaching and potentially mortality," AIMS CEO Paul Hardisty [said in a press release](). "The 2020 and 2022 bleaching events, while extensive, didn't reach the intensity of the 2016 and 2017 events and, as a result, we have seen less mortality." ## Better, Not Good As AIMS reports, hard coral cover levels — that is, the proportion of the reef blanketed by living, stony coral — reached 33 percent in the reef's central region, and 36 percent in the northern region. Sure, it might not seem like much. But as senior AIMS researcher Mike Emslie [told *The Washington Post*](), these findings show how that the reef "is still vibrant and still resilient, and it can bounce back from disturbances if it gets the chance." It's important to remember, however, that this [environmental win]() comes with its caveats. The southern part of the reef, plagued by an outbreak of coral-eating starfish, sadly hasn't seen the same success. And while extremely exciting, recovery doesn't mean that the reef is healthy. Parts of this great natural wonder are definitely better — but [better doesn't necessarily mean good](). That said, sum total? It's still good news. Take it in. Maybe raise a glass. And hey, if you're in a specific tax bracket, maybe, in the spirit of the reef, opt to [go by car sometimes, instead](). **READ MORE:** [*Parts of Great Barrier Reef show highest coral cover seen in 36 years*]() \[*CNBC*\] **More on ocean health:** [*Hooray! The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Has Become a Thriving Ecosystem, Scientists Say*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()