Taylor, Cheryl (2005) Book review of "The Great Barrier Reef: history, science, heritage" by James Bowen and Margarita Bowen, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. Australian Historical Studies, 36 (125). pp. 176-177.

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Abstract

[Extract] The history of European impact on the Great Barrier Reef presented in this volume reveals continuing depredation and escalating degradation - a progression that has been fought against by courageous individuals and groups, with tardy sporadic support from the government. The unfolding tragedy is the more moving because this is not a polemical work, but a record of wide-ranging interrelated facts that speak eloquently for themselves. In meeting the need for a historical synthesis, the authors have equipped a range of scientific researchers with a comprehensive portable compendium for contextualising their investigations. They have also endowed politicians and administrators, historians, nature lovers, tourists and general readers with a seductive encyclopaedic work of reference. The inescapable conclusion is that if looming destruction is to be prevented, notions of 'sustainable development' and other deceptions must give place to radical concerted action by people and government. I, for one, fervently hope that this book's message will be heeded in time.

Item ID:	17206
Item Type:	Article (Book Review)
ISSN:	1940-5049
Keywords:	Great Barrier Reef; ecology; conservation
Funders:	James Cook University Merit Research Grant 2004, James Cook University Teaching Relief Award
Projects and Grants:	Writing in Tropical Queensland AustLit subset
Date Deposited:	28 Jul 2011 02:17
FoR Codes:	21 HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 2103 Historical Studies > 210303 Australian History (excl Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History) @ 60% 21 HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 2103 Historical Studies > 210301 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History @ 20% 05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0501 Ecological Applications > 050101 Ecological Impacts of Climate Change @ 20%
SEO Codes:	95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9505 Understanding Past Societies > 950503 Understanding Australias Past @ 80% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9607 Environmental Policy, Legislation and Standards > 960701 Coastal and Marine Management Policy @ 20%
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