Circularity starts with education and partnerships
Coral reefs, despite covering less than 0.1% of the ocean, are among Earth's most diverse and valuable ecosystems. These majestic underwater forests provide food and shelter to a quarter of all marine species. Unfortunately, coral reefs are facing serious threats due to human activities.
In response to this pressing issue, Covestro and WWF-Hong Kong have teamed up to conduct the 'Coral Community Activity and Coral Cookies Design Workshop'. This community workshop aims to raise awareness and ignite a passion for protecting Hong Kong's threatened coral ecosystems.
“At Covestro, we aim to become fully circular. This means minimizing our environmental impact and empowering people to live more sustainably. By educating the youth about coral conservation and sustainable choices through our partnership with the WWF-Hong Kong, we are cultivating future environmental champions and taking active steps towards a future with healthy coral reefs” said Marius Wirtz, Managing Director of Covestro Hong Kong.
The workshop is an essential part of the "Reviving Our Corals" project, a joint effort by WWF-Hong Kong and the School of Life Sciences at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. This initiative aligns with the WWF’s global mission on Coral Reef Rescue Initiative (CRRI), which is dedicated to conserving tropical coral reefs worldwide and enhancing their resilience against climate change and other threats.
The workshop offers an exciting line-up of activities designed to educate and empower participants. It begins with informative briefings by WWF-Hong Kong, where participants gain insights into the challenges faced by coral reefs in Hong Kong. To foster an appreciation for the beauty and fragility of these reefs, participants embark on glass-bottom boat tours to witness breath-taking coral formations first-hand at the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park.
The eco-tours take participants to explore coral nursery facilities on-site, providing a glimpse into the crucial work of nurturing and restoring coral fragments. These hands-on experiences connect the participants with the marine environment and the conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding it.
The partnership between Covestro and WWF-Hong Kong aims to engage 200 local participants across eight workshops scheduled at WWF-Hong Kong’s Hoi Ha Wan Marine Life Centre.
Educating and Cultivating Environmental Champions
The collaboration between Covestro and WWF-Hong Kong has made significant strides in educating Hong Kong's youth about sustainability and the importance of conserving coral reefs. By fostering a new generation of sustainability-conscious citizens and future decision-makers, the workshop aims to ignite a passion for marine conservation among the participants. Plus, it plays a pivotal role in safeguarding these invaluable ecosystems.
Initiatives like the 'Coral Community Activity and Coral Cookies Design Workshop' offer hope for the revival and thriving of threatened coral communities in Hong Kong. With creativity, passion, and a love of learning, Hong Kong's shores are witnessing the rise of environmental champions dedicated to protecting and preserving our precious coral reefs for generations to come.
