Claire Galvin grew up in Cairns and fell in love with the Great Barrier Reef.

"I spent my life snorkelling the reef," the 19-year-old says.

"Every time we go out to the reef it's absolutely stunning."

She's worried that burning coal from Adani's Carmichael mine, and the new coal region it's opening up in Queensland, will threaten the reef's survival.

"The impacts of the carbon emissions will devastate the reef and we don't want that to happen," she said.

Today, Ms Galvin and north Queensland year 12 student Brooklyn O'Hearn are launching a last-ditch attempt to challenge the approval of Adani's Carmichael mine and railway project.

A law firm acting for them has written to Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley calling for a revocation of the environmental approvals given to Adani's venture.

Read the full article on the ABC News website, featuring Assoc Prof Paul Burke