Coral reefs are one of the oldest ecosystems in the ocean and it can take thousands of years for the full development of a coral reef from the first formation of a polyp from colonising larvae. Being such a complex ecosystem, they provide a home to thousands of marine species and absorb the excess carbon dioxide in the water coining the term “rainforests of the sea”. 

Earth.Org

If you were to ask someone what coral looks like you’d normally hear them describe it as white. Sadly white coral is dead coral, the skeleton which is what a lot of people have seen.

Coral reefs, vital marine ecosystemsteeming with biodiversity, face a problematic decline due to a nexus of natural and human-induced threats. These ecosystems confront multifaceted challenges, from climate change-induced bleaching to overfishing, pollution, and coastal development.

SIGMAEARTH

Conservationists like Oceans Alive grow and outplant coral species to restore reef sites to a healthy state. Different activities all have a crucial role in the restoration of the reef. A variety of different coral restoration structures have been tested and altogether more than 5,000 square meters has been restored.

As someone who grew up swimming amongst the coral I’m so happy to be able to support coral builders through my art sales. For every painting sold I send a percentage to organisations like Oceans Alive.