Sustainable Storytelling- Underwater Art
A showcase of artists communicating about climate change
Climate has a communications problem. Art and storytelling are powerful climate solutions. This is designed to be an antidote for doom scrolling, brightening your inbox to provide climate education and hope to soothe climate anxiety.
This week, we’re diving under the sea to explore creative climate solutions. Artificial reefs are carefully designed, human-made underwater structures that mimic natural reef ecosystems, providing new habitats for marine life.1
Since the 1950s, over 50% of the world’s coral reefs have been lost due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing.2 Building artificial reefs is one way to support marine biodiversity by creating new habitats where natural reefs have been damaged or depleted.
However, designing effective artificial reefs requires careful planning to protect the surrounding ecosystem. This means using sustainable materials, choosing appropriate locations, and implementing long-term monitoring. When done responsibly, artificial reefs can become marine protected zones, enhancing conservation efforts while fostering a thriving underwater ecosystem.
Artistic Artificial Reefs
When I first saw this photo of a decommissioned subway car being dumped into the Atlantic Ocean, I was shocked. This led me to go down a deep rabbit hole and discovered it was actually a part of an initiative the MTA started 15 years ago with the goal of creating artificial reefs to support sea life along the eastern seabed.
Between August 2001 and April 2010, 3,000 decommissioned and cleaned train cars were placed in coasts of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia.3 Today, they have become a thriving new habitat for fish and coral.
Another surreal example of these artificial reefs is on the coast of Italy.4 Designed by a fisherman named Paolo Fanciulli, there’s an underwater museum made of marble . These sculptures create a physical barrier to prevent illegal trawling which has depleted local marine life.5
Climate Art 101 Student Spotlight
As the winter cohort of Climate Art 101 wraps up, I’m once again blown away by the art from my students! Here are a few pieces related to ocean conservation past students have created.
My Art
Painting about the ocean is one of my favorite things. Here are a few of my pieces from my first 100 days of watercolors.
Lessons Learned
I love thinking about “win-win-win” solutions, and the Italian reefs are a perfect example. They protect marine life by preventing illegal trawling, boost the local economy by attracting visitors, and support artists by commissioning them to create marble sculptures. It’s a beautiful intersection of conservation, community, and creativity!
Natural History Museum: Over half of coral reef cover across the world has been lost since 1950. Read here.
Untapped New York: See Stunning Photos of NYC Subway Cars Dropped into the Ocean to Become Reefs. Read here.
Its more pollution and random weather than climate change…. May be best to focus on improving the pollution and other human made disruptions.
Wonderful story. Thank you for covering.