LOCAL environmental advocate Tony Fontes is once again going the extra mile to help save the Great Barrier Reef.

Mr Fontes is foregoing his favourite treat, chocolate, for two weeks, raising funds to fight the Abbot Point coal

expansion.

"The reef is my livelihood and my passion," Mr Fontes said.

"I care more about the reef than I do about chocolate - a lot more."

The For the Love of the Reef challenge is an initiative of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, asking the public to donate to support participants' abstinence.

Mr Fontes said he was excited to be a part of the campaign as it was the youth who would decide the fate of the reef.

"As President Obama said, 'You're the first generation to feel the impacts of climate change, and you're the last generation that can do something about it'," he said.

He's less excited about the lack of choccies though.

"I'll probably eat a lot of chips - replace sugar with fat," he said.

"Giving up chocolate to help support the AYCC's work to make sure Australia's big four banks don't invest in these coal ports is well worth the sacrifice."

The former Greens candidate is hoping to raise $200 before the challenge ends on May 31, saying "with enough people on our side we can protect the Great Barrier Reef".

"The reef is under real stress and it's crazy that instead of protecting it we're looking at expanding coal ports only 50km north of here," he said.

"After spending so much time on the reef over the years, despite its beauty, you can really see the impact we're having on it."

To donate, visit the website www.fortheloveof.org.au/tonyfontes