Over the past month, we've explored the science behind coral bleaching, and the impact and increasing scale, severity and frequency of global coral bleaching events. This week, we shift our focus towards action.

Around the world, dedicated individuals, communities and scientists are working tirelessly to protect and restore coral reefs. You can help by supporting the incredible efforts already underway. Change is still possible, and every action matters.

What YOU can do

  1. Reduce your carbon footprint — Cutting carbon emissions reduces the buildup of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Opt for sustainable transport, conserve energy at home, advocate for renewable energy, and adopt a climate-conscious diet by reducing meat consumption.
  2. Engage with and support marine conservation and restoration projects — Join or support reef restoration or citizen science projects, beach clean-ups, or reef monitoring programmes. Share posts, talk about coral bleaching, and support NGOs doing coral restoration work.
  3. Support reef-friendly products — Check product labels and avoid purchasing sunscreens containing octinoxate and oxybenzone, which are toxic to corals. Invest in reef-safe alternatives.
  4. Reduce single-use plastics — Plastics can damage corals and introduce toxins into the environment. Carry reusable bottles and bags, choose sustainable materials, and support plastic-free initiatives.

What POLICYMAKERS can do

  1. Support climate action — Climate action is the foundation of coral reef survival. Advocate for greater emission reductions, renewable energy transitions, and climate-resilient policies.
  2. Reduce impacts and strengthen protection — Mitigate local stressors, enforce sustainable fisheries management, expand marine protected area coverage, and strengthen compliance.
  3. Invest in coral reef restoration and research — Provide grants, support community-led initiatives, and prioritise reef restoration in national budgets.
  4. Promote environmental education and awareness — Integrate environmental education into schools and fund outreach campaigns.

What CORAL PRACTITIONERS & RESEARCHERS can do

  1. Diversify resources — Increase and diversify restoration efforts across multiple sites, combining in-situ and ex-situ coral nurseries.
  2. Combine sexual and asexual coral propagation strategies — Explore selective breeding, assisted evolution, and gamete cryopreservation.
  3. Collaborate across disciplines — Build interdisciplinary partnerships across genetics, ecology, engineering, and social sciences.
  4. Publish and share data openly — Make data open access, present both successes and failures, and encourage knowledge exchange.

Global Efforts Already Underway

Across the world, scientists, communities, and conservation practitioners are pioneering solutions. Key approaches include coral gardening, assisted evolution & selective breeding, cryopreservation of coral gametes, biobanking of live coral, and technology-driven monitoring and modelling.

Ocean Revive's Role

At Ocean Revive, we play an active role in coral reef preservation and restoration through innovative technology, safeguarding genetic diversity, collaborative partnerships, and increasing awareness and ocean literacy.

Our mission is to restore, revive and protect corals through science, creativity and collaboration.

References

  • Downs, C.A. et al., 2016. Toxicopathological effects of the sunscreen UV filter, oxybenzone on coral planulae. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 70(2), pp.265–288.
  • Lamb, J.B. et al., 2018. Plastic waste associated with disease on coral reefs. Science, 359(6374), pp.460–462.