CoExist Part 2 - Life Below Water

The ocean drives global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea. 

Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future. However, at the current time, there is a continuous deterioration of coastal waters owing to pollution, and ocean acidification is having an adversarial effect on the functioning of ecosystems and biodiversity. This is also negatively impacting small scale fisheries. 

Saving our ocean must remain a priority. Marine biodiversity is critical to the health of people and our planet. Marine protected areas need to be effectively managed and well-resourced and regulations need to be put in place to reduce overfishing, marine pollution and ocean acidification.

Mindmap Research

Mindmap link for details https://mm.tt/1481567090?t=8tqkeA7TDh

Our group did some research regarding on how to conserve and sustainably use the oceans and marine resources. So why is this matter? It is because Oceans provide key natural resources which includes food, medicines, biofuels and other products as well. It also help with the breakdown and removal of waste and their coastal ecosystem. In addition, it also maintain a healthy oceans supports climate change mitigation. Apart from that it also creates more job opportunity for the people to generate their daily income. For instance, there will be an increase turnover with a healthier marine environment.

Secondary Research

There are few main issues that the ocean is currently facing. First, is the marine debris. It impacts the biodiversity through ingestion of debris items by organisms. As a result, it will affect their reproduction. Next is the coral reefs. There were approximately 20% of them have been effectively destroyed and no prospects for recovery.

So what can we do? Local people should make ocean-friendly choices when buying their products. Furthermore, by making a small change in our daily life such as taking public transport & unplug electronic devices it can reduces our carbon footprint. Not only that, people should eliminate plastic usage as much as possible and organize beach clean-ups. This will actually help the marine life to become more sustainable.

Facts & figure

The Sustainable Development Goals aim to enhance the conservation and the sustainable use of ocean-based resources through international law will also help mitigate some of the challenges facing our oceans. These are some of the important facts regarding the ocean and marine life. The world’s ocean global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. It is like how we manage the resources for humanity as a whole.

Idea & Concept

“Our Lives Below Water”

For a better environment, for a better life.

The plastic we produce and use every day damages our beautiful marine environment. Not only does it kill the life below water, it damages our future. An extinct marine environment will lead to an economic downfall, and many people will lose their jobs. Marine debris that the life below water ingest, will in return bite us back in our health, when we consume what they consume -- plastic. Our planet and our lives are at stake, but we can make a difference with the little changes in our lives!

We came up an idea by doing an "Educational Journal Book". This is consider under Product Design Category. The main purpose of the book is to educate people on how to reduce their carbon footprint and plastic consumption. Hence it also bring awareness to the readers about the deadly situation that is below the water and the impact on our future earth. Our book we have included self-reflection journal section to show the progress and reward system to encourage the readers. Not to mention our target audience for the book will be around middle to upper age income. It is mainly for women from age 15 – 50.

Sketch Design

How does the book woks? It is made of eco-friendly print materials and interactive to engage with audience. The content of the book we did like 3 month long like 1 week 1 chapter – to educate the readers regarding the current situation. For example, the amount of plastic containers in the ocean and the disadvantages of it. Another part is like the “How to section” it teaches the readers what they can do this week. For instance, how readers can reduce plastic containers consumption and make a small change during the week like note down their progress.

Presentation Board

Presentation Video