VIDEO: Battle in the Great Barrier Reef

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The dilemma of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia

October 22, 2014 at 21:23 clock Updated BST

The Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast of Australia is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

But scientists said that 50 percent of the coral has been destroyed in the last three decades by a variety of environmental factors.

The United Nations World Heritage site might soon be declared as endangered.

The UN is particularly concerned about the expansion of profitable coal mining along the Queensland coast near the reef.

BBC correspondent Jon Donnison Australia weighs both sides of the debate.

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