Skip to main content

A Giant, Floating ‘Sun Shield’ May Be Our Only Hope to Save the Great Barrier Reef

feather star coral great barrier reef australia
Daniela Dirscherl/Getty Images

Melting ice caps, ozone layer holes over South America, and mass bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef. By many indications, our environment is in bad shape. In response to many of these issues, it seems humankind is shrugging its collective shoulder. But scientists are fast at work to turn back the clock. Their solution to save Australia’s greatest natural wonder is arguably among the cleverest, most ambitious of any such human endeavor in history.

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: the Great Barrier Reef is dying. The reef has always had to endure Earth’s ever-changing climate. But, in recorded history, it’s never been forced to cope with this much change in such a short period. What’s more, as recently as January of this year, scientists determined that the window to save the reef is rapidly closing.

Recommended Videos

Pioneering research and development at the University of Melbourne and the Australian Institute of Marine Science concluded that a massive “sun shield” could help cut coral bleaching caused by sun exposure by up to 30 percent. The Great Barrier Reef Foundation reports the shield works by floating on the surface of the water, just above the coral, acting as a physical barrier between the sun and the reef. It’s a staggering 50,000 times thinner than a human hair. Constructed from calcium carbonate, the same material coral uses to strengthen their skeletons, it’s also 100-percent biodegradable.

So far, only small-scale trials have been conducted. Scientists tested one molecule-thick shielding film and found it to reduce bleaching in seven different species successfully. It’s clear this isn’t a silver bullet solution, however. Constructing a shield large enough to protect the reef’s 134,000 square miles (348,000 square kilometers) clearly isn’t feasible. It would need to blanket an area the size of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Switzerland combined. But this targeted solution has the potential to save thousands of square miles of high-risk or “high-value” areas. And, frankly, we have to start somewhere.

The project is in its infancy, but it already includes heavy-hitting backers from a finance and research perspective. The group behind the scenes includes coral experts, marine ecologists, polymer scientists, and chemical engineers. Plus, it’s headed by the same scientist who helped design Australia’s polymer banknotes. At a time when we’re racing against the clock to save what remains of the reef, it feels like a step in the right direction.

Aside from the do-good environmental aspect of caring about the reef’s future, Australia has a vested financial interest in saving it. It’s the largest single contributor to the country’s economy, worth an estimated AUD $56 billion (USD $43 billion) and more than 60,000 jobs. In this case, we can be thankful that money is such a great motivator.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Don’t miss out: This is when Glacier National Park reservations open for 2025
Sleep and you'll miss it! Going-to-the-Sun Road reservations open soon
The Garden Wall along the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park.

Glacier National Park is one of those other-worldly places that don't seem real. Thousands of people from across the world flock to see these postcard-worthy sights, so it's not a surprise that the National Park Service has seen to implementing a timed-entry reservation system for entering the park starting in 2021. While reservations can be a bit of a hassle to acquire, they have become necessary in order to manage crowds, protect important resources, and keep park amenities and infrastructures in good shape. If you're looking to snag a coveted timed-entry reservation to Glacier National Park for this summer, don't wait. Here's what you need to know.

Glacier National Park allows visitors to reserve their timed-entry tickets 120 days in advance. Keep in mind, this is different than the entrance pass. Reservations are required from June 13 to September 28 this year. This means that on February 13, 2025, the first round of reservations will be released. You'll need a reservation to go to the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork, but if you're going through Apgar Village, Two Medicine, or St. Mary, you won't need a reservation.

Read more
Death Valley camping: A guide to camping in the hottest, driest national park
Here's your ultimate guide to Death Valley
Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is the largest national park in the lower 48 states, covering 3.4 million acres. It's also well-known for being the hottest, driest, and lowest place in the United States. Here, you'll find a variety of sand dunes, mountains, salt flats, and canyons to explore, and Death Valley also has some of the best stargazing in the whole world. There are so many reasons to head to Death Valley this year, but since there's so much to see and do, you might want to consider camping. Here's our ultimate guide to Death Valley camping.
Know before you go Death Valley camping

If you don't want to roast or freeze, the best time to visit Death Valley would be in the fall or the spring. Come in the spring for the best stargazing, but either timeframe offers some great adventures. Once you've decided when to go, book your campsite. Options will fill up quickly during the spring and fall, so try to get your reservations early.

Read more
Between a rock and a hard place: The best rock climbing places in the world
Reach new heights at the most world-renowned climbing locations
Man rock climbing at Mount Brown in Tasmania

Rock climbing has never been more popular than it is today, but did you know that only about 48% of people make the transition from an indoor gym to an outdoor climb? One thing I love about the sport is that both types of climbing are considered valid and challenging. However, if you're hoping to make the transition from "gym to crag," these bucket list locations should definitely be on your radar. Here is a list of our picks for the best rock climbing places in the world.

Disclaimer: As exhilarating and challenging as climbing can be, the sport can also be inherently dangerous. If you are new to the sport, consider enlisting the help of a professional outfitter who can make your entrance into the sport both enjoyable and safe. Always pick a route that suits your climbing level, and make sure your gear is in good condition.
Best beginner-friendly rock climbing locations

Read more