UCLA Life Sciences
Scientists and artists are joining forces in a global push to reimagine reef conservation through storytelling, design, and public engagement.
Among the most vibrant and vital ecosystems on Earth, coral reefs are being threatened by rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and mounting human pressures. Many reefs are approaching ecological collapse. A new international effort is harnessing creativity in communication to aid science and policy to save the world’s coral reefs.
In a recent commentary published in Science Advances, “Communicating Coral: Art and Science for Global Reef Action,” an interdisciplinary group of scientists and artists are working to protect the future of coral reefs by bringing a new lens for people to understand and connect with them. The team, led by UCLA professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, Mónica Medina, calls for combining research with art and storytelling to inspire global action.
“Coral reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth, yet for many people they remain unfamiliar,” Medina says. Her vision is to communicate the beauty and plight of coral reefs through art, to gain support for their protection.
Where Science Meets Storytelling
The publication coincides with the launch of the Coral Art-Science Consortium, a new international nonprofit that brings together scientists, artists, designers, educators, and community leaders. Its mission is to spark awareness and action through creative collaboration.
The consortium’s website — coralartscience.org — serves as a global hub for projects ranging from multimedia storytelling and public installations to education initiatives and citizen science. The goal is to make reef science accessible and resonate more emotionally.
Coral reefs support hundreds of millions of people worldwide, sustaining fisheries, protecting coastlines, fueling tourism, and preserving cultural traditions. Yet the science behind their decline can feel abstract or distant to the broader public. Art can bridge that gap.
From immersive exhibits and documentary film to fashion and digital media, the consortium is tapping creative expression to translate environmental data into experiences that people can see, hear, and feel. Large-scale climate art installations and environmental storytelling campaigns have shown how creativity can heighten awareness — and in some cases, inspire tangible change.
“Reefs are living works of art created over millions of years,” says Oren Levy of Bar-Ilan University, a co-author and consortium leader. “Our goal is to build a global movement that brings together creativity, science, and community action to help ensure their survival.”
Building a Global Movement
The Coral Art Science Consortium is not as a single project but a connective network that amplifies existing work and fosters new cross-disciplinary collaborations. Among their planned initiatives are public exhibitions, educational programming, digital storytelling efforts, and participatory reef conservation projects.
The consortium emphasizes engagement with Indigenous peoples and local communities, particularly in regions where coral reefs are a vital part of their livelihoods and cultural identity. By elevating diverse perspectives, organizers aim to support conservation strategies that are both equitable and locally grounded.
From Awareness to Action
At its core, the initiative is about transformation — not only of reefs, but of perception.
The authors call for a broad alliance across science, art, policy, and education to shift how coral reefs are understood worldwide:
“We call for an alliance among scientists, artists, policymakers, educators, and communities to transform public perception from neglect to curiosity, from curiosity to inspiration, and ultimately from inspiration to action.”
In that progression, from awareness to emotion to engagement, the team sees a pathway forward for reefs at risk.
And perhaps, a reminder that solving global challenges may depend as much on imagination as it does on information.
Learn More
Explore current projects or join the global network at:
https://coralartscience.org
About the Coral Art-Science Consortium
The Coral Art-Science Consortium is an international nonprofit initiative that unites scientists, artists, educators, designers, and conservation advocates to promote coral reef protection through creativity and collaboration. By combining research, storytelling, and public engagement, the consortium works to inspire global action and advance reef conservation efforts worldwide.