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If you can't beat 'em, erect a coral reef on their doorstep. That's what Greenpeace activists in Australia did overnight in a bid to confront politicians with the realities of climate change. 。

SEE ALSO:This coral looks like a beating heart but it's actually in serious trouble 。

The protest held at Parliament House (Australia's Whitehouse) depicted a faux-coral reef in neon white, representing the coral bleaching occurring on the Great Barrier Reef; the only coral reef in the world to be granted World Heritage status. 。

"Almost a quarter of the reef's coral died this year," Greenpeace Australia Pacific campaigner Nikola Casule told。 "Almost a quarter of the reef's coral died this year," Greenpeace Australia Pacific campaigner Nikola Casule told 。Fairfax Media。

. "Australia can't have both a healthy Great Barrier Reef and a coal industry." 。Mashable Top StoriesStay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter。By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.。

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Greenpeace Australia Pacific commissioned a study in May 2015, which claimed 85 percent of Australian people feel that the government is prioritising the coal mining industry over Australia's environment. Hence the protest slogan "choose the reef, not coal."。

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"We hope that by bringing the Great Barrier Reef to Canberra, politicians will be able to see first-hand what is at risk from their unwavering support for the coal mining industry" Casule said.。

"Australia's coal mining industry exports more than one billion tonnes of carbon emissions each year. This contributes to increasing ocean temperatures which are killing the reef."。TopicsActivism。TopicsActivism 。