The future of the Great Barrier Reef

Through the government funded Reef Guardians program, schools across Australia are taking proactive steps to change the attitudes and behaviours of Australia’s next generation to ensure the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.
 
At Hamilton Island State School this program is particularly important, as the reef is part of the children’s home. With the help of their teachers and passionate experts the children are learning about the damage, which is occurring right on their doorstep and how they can take steps to safeguard the reef for the future.
 
The Huffington Post visited Hamilton Island earlier this year to see first hand the impact this program was having. The message from the children was clear:
 

Isobel and Emily:
"It’s hard to explain, but we know what’s going on around here… A lot of us on Hamilton Island are very caring for the reef. People that don’t understand that yet, we’ll show them”. 
 

.

Kirra: 
"Sometimes people might not know they are actually damaging the reef. So that’s something I can understand. But sometimes they do know that. I feel upset if they do know that the reef is out there and if you do chuck your rubbish away, it could actually end up in the ocean ”

Tahlia:
[What are you learning?] “So that the rubbish doesn’t get into the reef”.
 

Olivia:
“Reuse items or start recycling items… So, I want to keep this place, for even my children or my friends children or other people”.
 
To learn more view the full article and video at Huffington Post.