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As climate change intensifies and inequalities rise, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions and ambitious action led by bright, young people. The Body Shop’s global activism campaign ‘Be Seen Be Heard’ enters its second year with an exciting new project supporting marine conservation in Hong Kong.
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As part of the global three-year initiative to amplify youth voices on sustainability issues, enterprising young leaders are now taking the reins on coral conservation outreach in Hong Kong through the campaign’s Youth Action: Coral Conservation project.
Partnering with the Coral Academy of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and WWF-Hong Kong, participants design solutions to protect biodiversity while gaining experience as the next generation of environmental leaders. Two of the youth leaders spearheading the 2023 project are post-graduate students at the School of Life Sciences, CUHK, Billy Cheung, 23, and Elvis Wong, 25.
“It’s been eye-opening to see the dire status of Hong Kong coral communities firsthand through our research dives and public outreach programs of Coral Academy, CUHK,” says Cheung. “I hope our research project can help restore degraded coral habitats and make more people aware of how actions like using one-off plastic tableware impact the marine environment.”
Wong has always loved the ocean and wants to do something to help protect it: “This outreach opportunity with WWF-Hong Kong and The Body Shop is ideal for me to spread awareness to others, contributing long-term to restoration and protection measures.”
With guidance from mentor Dr. Apple Chui, Coral Academy’s founder and the Research Assistant Professor at CUHK, Cheung and Wong are actively involved in planning and implementing restoration projects in Hong Kong, utilizing multiple novel active coral restoration approaches to restore degraded coral communities, enhance biodiversity, boost coral growth, and promote reef resilience to cope with future climate change. Through community outreach activities, they have communicated their findings to the public on why coral conservation matters.
“I didn’t truly realize how integral corals are to marine biodiversity until my first ever scuba dive in Tung Ping Chau Marine Park, witnessing the large variety of marine life that are found in the habitats created by corals” Wong mentions. Even though the success of coral conservation efforts comes down to many interrelated factors, he is delighted that “our coral outplants in former degraded habitats in Tolo Channel led to seahorses and butterflyfish reoccupying the areas as coral cover is up and ecosystem is recovering.”
Cheung emphasizes that marine conservation requires everyone’s participation, not just scientists. “Get involved however you can, whether through volunteering or joining guided tours. Every small act makes a difference when we support each other in protecting the places and wildlife we care about,” he advises other aspiring youths.
Looking ahead, Wong believes young people, environmental groups and companies can spark positive change by working together. “With the environmental challenges facing our planet, we must take responsible action. From our local community to the global level, this will inspire us to care for the environment and work towards solutions.”
To support the youth leaders’ coral conservation efforts, The Body Shop is pledging HK$1 per online signature from the public until October 26. This October, 50 lucky members of The Body Shop will accompany Coral Academy’s members on a guided glass-bottom boat tour of the marine ecosystem at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park and experience coral nurturing techniques in workshops.
Through its ‘Be Seen Be Heard’ campaign, The Body Shop has empowered the community and a new generation to lead ambitious environmental action to address the growing climate crisis in our oceans.
The Body Shop will donate HK$1 for every online pledge to support the coral conservation project of WWF- Hong Kong and the Coral Academy of The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
