In the shallow waters of Shenzhen Da Peng Bay lie the starving corals that are slowly dying. Jay shook his head in a panic when asked to describe his diving experience. “These corals were helpless victims of mankind’s abuse.”
An Investigation of the Growth and Protection of Local Coral Reefs in Shenzhen China and Public Perception.
Coral Reefs and the Unaddressed Threat
The corals are slowly dying on the ocean floor of Shenzhen Da Peng Bay. Jay shook his head when asked to describe his diving experience. “These corals were helpless victims of mankind’s abuse.”
The fragile reefs are like the rainforests of the ocean. Coral polyps not only surround themselves with tentacles to capture food but also add an array of colors by surrounding themselves. Coral reefs are important because they provide shelter for marine life and protect coastlines against erosion. However, human activity continues to threaten them despite their importance.
John Hopkins University’s research shows that only 30 percent of coral reefs in Indonesia, which is home to one-third of the world’s corals, are well maintained.
“Through my dive experiences, I have seen the desolated ocean environment when corals are destroyed,” said Jay-Wok Lim (54), the founder of the Shenzhen Coral Reef Conservation Group, Divee4Love, solemnly. “But currently, there is not enough effort to counter toxic materials and chemical runoffs polluting our oceans by the textile industry.”
Near Shenzhen Bay are tons of trash and abandoned fishing nets buried along with the dead bodies of many reefs. This scene is found on coastlines all over the world. The countless human crimes that have led to the destruction of reefs will be complete in 30 years.
Coral reefs in the 21st Century are not just victims of the coral-bleaching incident. Coral reefs are on the verge of destruction due to economic profits and popular culture.
Existing efforts to resolve the issue
R.A.T.I.O was founded in 2018 to investigate ways to reduce the threat of humans to marine ecosystems. We focused on coral reef preservation. R.A.T.I.O also interviewed and conducted research with environmentalists and fashion specialists to determine the correlation between them.
Earth Projects reports show that the death of corals can be promoted by the use of cyanide to kill fish, which also kills corals. Also, explosives are used to destroy corals as well as small creatures in coral reefs.
In order to stop further coral reef destruction, certain actions are necessary to maintain the status quo. The efforts include creating marine protected zones, regulating destructive fisheries, and reducing agricultural waste.
R.A.T.I.O, in an effort to resolve the problem, partnered with the local environmental charity Dive4Love to work to conserve the works of the ocean. R.A.T.I.O. is part of a collaboration that spans a year to promote the restoration of coral reef ecology. They also help create an education system about ocean awareness by spreading ocean conservation methods and encouraging cross-border participation from the public, businesses, and government. R.A.T.I.O documented how to restore reefs through a diving experience of a week that included attempts to plant coral reefs.
Three main components of the project include underwater operation maintenance (underwater operations), fishing village tourism, and the construction of a coral reef protection zone that will create a 100-meter coral tourism belt. This innovative solution addresses the concerns of multiple stakeholders. It helps establish a coral-protection system for divers in order to cope with the changing fishing industry and directs the income of fishermen to coral tourism.
The chief diving trainer in Shenzhen, China, Liu Si Qi (35), said that the divers’ job is to cultivate coral seedlings. They wait for them to grow and then transfer it to a coral garden at sea. “We then break off coral stumps which are on the brink of dying and transplant them into submarine coral gardens.” Unknown difficulties remain with the unregulated textile industries.”
What is wrong with fast Fashion?
It is a real problem. However, the efforts of large environmental corporations are primarily focused on fighting climate change and increasing sea temperatures. Few corporations have proposed solutions for the textile industry, which, according to UNEP, is the second biggest contributor to water contamination.
World Wildlife Fund data shows that cotton, the most commonly used textile in the world, accounts for 18% of all pesticides and is toxic to marine life. The nondegradable polyester is a major contributor to microfibres in the ocean. A study by Mark Brown, an ecologist, revealed that microfibres were found in the oceans. Fashion materials like polyester, which are non-biodegradable, accumulate and end up as fish after plankton eat it.
China has 60 percent of its water sources deemed unfit for human consumption. According to The Guardian, 10 percent of all industrial wastewater is directly related to the fashion industry. Seventy-two percent of toxic chemicals found in water come from dyeing textiles.
Mei Liu from PingShan Shenzhen, aged 59, said: “You can predict what color will be in style next season by the colour of rivers.”
The impact of fast Fashion on China is not to be hidden, and consumers are realizing that things need to change.
Synthetic Textiles account for 35% of microplastics found in water. This shows that the textile industry is second to none when it comes to contributing to water pollution.
“Fashion should be beautiful, fair, and safe for all.”
A new approach that combines environmental protection with popular culture is proposed as an alternative.
As we move into the 21st Century, there is a growing awareness about sustainable Fashion. R.A.T.I.O attended multiple fashion conferences held in Shenzhen Sea World and witnessed public artists’ attempts to raise awareness about coral protection by using graphic and direct messages.
Marco Liang, co-organiser of the fashion exhibition, claims that Fashion needs to be beautiful and safe for all. “People need to make fashion statements that matter, and brands will act and listen.”
Numerous artists in the exhibit claimed that their innovations were derived from corals’ beauty and the desire to preserve their delicate nature. Fashion brands like Alexander McQueen, Calvin Klein, Burberry, and Stella McCartney have begun to produce dresses using recycled materials. Colorifix, for example, uses synthetic biology to reduce water pollution.
Only a few fashion brands are becoming more sustainable. Fast Fashion is still the norm. In addition, a survey of Shenzhen’s consumers found that only 22% of them would be willing to pay more for sustainable Fashion. Only 53% of respondents were concerned about the environmental impact of packaging and the production process.
Education and participation of the public
R.A.T.I.O, in order to combat the lack of interest and skepticism of the young generation for fashion products and spread the idea and methods of ocean preservation, proposed an education program on ocean awareness. R.A.T.I.O organized several school events to encourage the participation of people from across borders. In June, “Crazy Me Coral Day,” a campaign to raise awareness about the destruction of coral reefs, was launched. This included games, tee-shirt dyeing, and posters.
Crazy Coral Day preparations at BASIS School in Huizhou Park Lane Harbor included the construction of coral reefs from recycled materials.
R.A.T.I.O PIC/M. G
The coral games were both entertaining and educational, says Jody Bellon, environmental science teacher and supervisor of the day’s event. “The flippers and diving snorkels allow children to dive, and the watering bowl that holds a dried coral incites a sense of civic responsibility among the children.
Other teachers also endorsed the educational purpose of the game. The majority of participants said that they were shocked to see how human activities have affected the reefs. The participants pointed out that “cleaning up the pollutant,” a game that simulates ocean pollution, also allows children to remove the trash that is entangled in the reefs.
The “Powder Dye” activity was designed to connect the harmful effects of Fashion with corals. The T-shirts were made from organic fibers and dyed with a variety of colors to resemble the beauty of corals under the ocean.
In an interview, Dr. Lotus, a biologist and marine scientist, said, “It’s a new, innovative approach. Corals are the rainforest of oceans, so losing coral is like losing the rainforest. The coral is not the one that dies, but the surrounding species. Slow Fashion is a good way to address this problem.
New Alternatives for Raising Awareness
Fast Fashion is closely linked to the destruction of coral reefs. Science Direct shows that organic cotton, which is one of the natural fabrics, can be grown without using machines, and it uses 62 percent less energy, as well as 88 percent less water, than conventional cotton. Recycled nylon and polyester are made from wastes such as nylon fishing nets or clothing, which are often found in the ocean, killing marine life. The recycling of polyester reduces energy consumption during production, which results in a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Recycled Silk can reduce excess material during product emission steps. Recycled Silk can reduce any extra material generated during product manufacturing steps and reduce waste disposal.
Stop coral reef injustice by choosing more ethical Fashion
Fast Fashion’s negative effects have been reaching us in previously unimaginable ways for years. Individuals often destroy coral reefs, but saving them can help restore biodiversity and food security, increase income, act as natural barriers to protect marine life, and even contribute to medicine.
Jay Wok Lim faced enormous difficulties in trying to restore coral reefs via Dive4Love. He is still optimistic about the future, however, after seeing R.A.T.I.O’s efforts to develop new innovative solutions that represent a new generation’s desire to conserve marine ecosystems.
“The mystery and power of nature are a powerful source for artists.”
The only way to save endangered corals and create a more sustainable future is to promote sustainable Fashion.
Credits: Raising awareness to inspire others (R.A.T.I.O), BASIS International School Parklane Harbor. Arthur Huang, Ivy Zhang. Michael Gao. Noah He. Serena Chiang. Broadwater Academy. Caroline Zeng.