Define:

I have decided to focus on how climate change affects the coral reefs. Coral reefs provide a home for 25% of marine life, so they are vital to keep to marine animal’s environment safe. Coral reefs are not only benefiting marine life it is also important for us humans. They are sources of income through tourism and fishing. Coral reefs suffer from land-based pollution travelling into our oceans. And overfishing, overfishing can damage the habitat. But the main thing I tackled was the temperature. Climate change is causing the ocean to warm and the coral bleaching because of the stress put on them. Many people don’t know that coral is actually an animal not a plant, so they have there own biome that they need to be in like many other species.

Discover:

I’ve discovered some studies on this subject that have different solutions. Such as an article that says “Corals in their natural reef habitat are already a gift for us to enjoy. Don’t give them as presents.” It essentially says that harvesting coral to sell for decor or jewelry is thinning the coral population more and more. They are also creating a sun shield to protect and restore the great barrier reef. I also found a nursery in the water that helped me modify my prototype, where they actually take coral fragments that broke off during storms and growing them in a “coral daycare” and replanting them in places that need them most.

Dream:

• Grow corals in a safe environment
• Create filters for the swampy or polluted water, so it does not stop the corals from getting sunlight (Not too much sun light thought.)
• Making sure people know that coral is an animal in the ocean not just something to decorate without jewelry.
• The less co2 in the air helps the pH balance in the ocean which help the coral grow, so more trees ect… to reduce co2
• Create a protected area for the coral reefs. 

Deliver:

So, my prototype is made completely out of reused materials, and it is a small sanctuary. I found an article that says broken stubs of coral of a certain size is not dead and in the right environment can grow into a full-grown coral and can be used to create a new reef in a preferred area or putting them into a previous reef that needs more heathy growing coral.

Essentially you would put the stub of coral in the sand, and it will grow up. Also, it helps that the marine life can access the sanctuary. I have put small filters at the sides to make sure the water stays clean and it is completely safe for the animals around them. There is a sun shield to protect it from the heat to stop the bleaching but so it can get the right amount of sun for it to thrive.

Debrief

My sanctuary for the coral is made from environmentally friendly materials. It also does not harm any parts of the reefs keeping it safe. I think I could have gone into more details for my prototype and thought it throw better. But overall I think this invention can be used in the environment and a different base for the same idea is already out there.

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