Scientists are urging people not to lose hope about saving the Great Barrier Reef, despite many tourists already starting to mourn its loss to climate change, according to new research.

An international research team, led by Queensland’s James Cook University, has found a marked increase in visitors to the reef feeling strongly negative feelings such as sadness, disgust, anger and fear related to the threat of climate change.

“We talk about a concept of 'reef grief' where you’re looking and seeing this disturbance that’s happening that’s out of the immediate control of humanity,” JCU’s Dr Scott Heron said.

New research shows some tourists have already started to mourn the loss of the Great Barrier Reef to climate change.Credit:Dean Miller/GBR Legacy

“We can’t personally intervene, but we can experience the emotional impact of these events.”