Shadecloths could protect reef: scientist

20 Aug 2012, 4:20 pm   -   Source: AAP
Professor Hoegh-Guldberg and fellow researchers say current actions identified in national and international policy will not be enough to counter the impacts of the carbon dioxide emissions, if the trends continue. (AAP)

Professor Hoegh-Guldberg and fellow researchers say current actions identified in national and international policy will not be enough to counter the impacts of the carbon dioxide emissions, if the trends continue. (AAP)

A leading climate change scientist is calling for investigations into novel ways, such as giant shadecloths, to protect and save the Great Barrier Reef.

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Australia needs to investigate novel ways of protecting the Great Barrier Reef, such as giant shadecloths, a leading climate change scientist says.

Ove Hoegh-Guldberg of the University of Queensland's Global Change Institute, says the time for saving the reef through global action on climate change may be running out.

In a paper published in the journal Nature Climate Change on Monday, Professor Hoegh-Guldberg calls for studies into solutions for damage done to the area.

Some of the professor's more novel ideas include using very large shadecloths to protect coral from heat stress, using low-voltage electric currents to stimulate coral growth, and genetic engineering to help marine life cope.

Also canvassed is a plan to add base minerals to the waters around the reef to help offset higher levels of acidity, which harm the coral.

Prof Hoegh-Guldberg said research on even the more bizarre solutions was needed if the reef is to survive.

"We should be ready to investigate what might be called non-traditional solutions," he told AAP.

"We're not promoting one idea, but we do need to evaluate them so that we can see their value or disregard them."

He said the ideas, even if successful, would not be as effective as preventing higher temperatures and ocean acidification.

"Engineering fixes only work at the local scale, and they're hugely expensive.

"But we need to do the research, because we are looking at a future which is pretty grim for coral, and if we don't do the research no amount of local solutions will work."

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