Shade Australia: Leaders in supply of outdoor umbrella, patio umbrella and market umbrella

Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey says using "shade cloth" over parts of the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland could protect it from the harmful effects of global warming.

Earlier this week, Britain's Stern report said climate change could cause a global economic downturn and bleach the reef.

Ms Bailey says the shade cloth idea came from a scientist who found that coral in natural shade was healthier than that in direct sunlight.

"One part of the reef the coral had vibrant colours and another part of the reef the colours weren't as vibrant, and he was trying to find the scientific reason for this," she said.

"And [he] discovered upon coming up to the surface, that that part of the reef that had vibrant colours was actually being given natural shade."

One of the suggestions is to attach the shade cloth to pontoons, which is an idea Ms Bailey says is worth considering if it will help protect the reef.

"We're very concerned because this is a $5.8 billion tourist industry on the reef, employing 33,000 people," she said.

"So obviously we're tackling this problem from both ends - the cause of the problem and also trying to find practical ways to mitigate the problem."

Shade A Burning Issue

Providing shade that offers people a high degree of protection against UVR is essentially a design problem which requires practical and appropriate solutions."

Peter Beattie QLD Premier

With summer approaching, Andy McLeod explains why venue managers must plan for shade

Australians love the outdoors and while we don't spend as much time in the sun now as we did a generation ago, the idea of getting a tan and the cultural icon of the 'bronzed Aussie' is certainly embedded in our psyche. However, attitudes have changed as we have become more conscious of the dangerous effects of the sun. Sadly this change has not kept pace with the dramatic increase in the intensity of ultra violet radiation (UVR) from the sun and as a result, we now have the highest rate of preventable skin cancer in the world with 33% of the population (as much as 66% in Queensland according to Queensland Health) expected to suffer from some form of skin cancer during their lifetime.

Those who manage outdoor areas and venues are becoming exposed to a new area of legal responsibility in providing UVR safe precincts. Considering that a person with an average skin type may be sunburnt in less than fifteen minutes when using their facility, this is a very real and serious issue as legal precedents have been established in relation to authorities neglecting to take appropriate precautions in the provision of shade.