This underwater art park is on a mission to revitalise coral reefs. Is it more than a feel-good idea – Financial Times

The Reefline Project: An Integrated Approach to Marine Restoration and Sustainable Development

Project Overview and Objectives

A significant environmental and artistic initiative, named Reefline, is underway off the coast of Miami Beach. The project’s inaugural installation, “Concrete Coral” by artist Leandro Erlich, involves the submersion of 22 car sculptures. This initiative represents a multi-faceted approach to urban coastal management, integrating art with ecological restoration to address key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Primary Objective: To construct a seven-mile underwater sculpture park that functions as an artificial reef, fostering coral regrowth and enhancing marine biodiversity.
• Secondary Objectives: To create a unique eco-tourism destination, establish a marine learning center, and raise public awareness about marine conservation and climate change.
• Materials and Methods: The sculptures are fabricated from a marine-grade, pH-neutral, low-emission concrete blend, specifically designed to support coral attachment and growth.

Alignment with SDG 14: Life Below Water

The Reefline project directly addresses the targets of SDG 14 by actively working to conserve and restore marine ecosystems.

• Ecosystem Restoration (Target 14.2): The project aims to reverse local ecological damage by re-establishing a thriving reef habitat on a coastline where natural reefs were smothered decades ago. The artificial reef structure is designed to protect and restore coastal ecosystems.
• Biodiversity Enhancement: By providing a substrate for coral growth, the installation will create a complex habitat crucial for maintaining fish populations and supporting marine biodiversity.
• Scientific Process: The restoration methodology is scientifically grounded and involves a systematic approach.
  1. Selection of small, native coral fragments from resilient strains that survived recent bleaching events.
  2. Nurturing these fragments for four to six months in the Miami Native Coral Lab.
  3. Utilizing a specialized tool, the “Coral Lok,” to securely attach the grown corals to the underwater sculptures, ensuring they can withstand currents and storms.
  4. The ultimate goal is to plant one million corals throughout the park, significantly contributing to the conservation of marine areas (Target 14.5).

Addressing SDG 13: Climate Action

The project serves as a proactive response to the impacts of climate change on marine environments, a core component of SDG 13.

• Climate Adaptation (Target 13.1): Coral reefs are critically threatened by climate change-induced ocean warming and acidification, which cause coral bleaching. Reefline strengthens resilience by propagating heat-tolerant coral strains.
• A Living Laboratory: The City of Miami Beach is positioned as a “living laboratory” for climate change solutions. This project provides invaluable data and insights into the efficacy of coral restoration techniques, informing future climate adaptation strategies.
• Coastal Protection: Healthy reef systems act as natural barriers, mitigating the impacts of flooding and coastal erosion, thereby enhancing the climate resilience of the urban coastline.

Contribution to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Reefline contributes to making cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, in line with SDG 11.

• Disaster Risk Reduction (Target 11.5): By reinforcing natural coastal defenses, the project helps protect the urban community of Miami Beach from water-related hazards.
• Sustainable Infrastructure and Public Space: The project is an example of innovative, resilient infrastructure that combines environmental function with cultural value, creating a unique public space for recreation and education.

Fostering Innovation and Partnerships (SDG 9 & SDG 17)

The success of Reefline is predicated on innovation and multi-stakeholder collaboration, reflecting the principles of SDG 9 and SDG 17.

• Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9): The project utilizes innovative materials and scientific techniques, enhancing research and upgrading technological capabilities in marine restoration.
• Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17): Reefline exemplifies an effective public-private and civil society partnership, bringing together diverse stakeholders.
  1. Art and Curation: Led by artist Leandro Erlich and curator Ximena Caminos.
  2. Science: Marine biologist Colin Foord directs the scientific strategy.
  3. Architecture: The firm OMA provides the masterplan.
  4. Government: The City of Miami Beach has provided a $5 million bond.
  5. Philanthropy: Funding is supported by the Knight Foundation and private donations.

Educational Mandate and Future Outlook (SDG 4)

A core component of the project’s long-term vision is public education, aligning with SDG 4.

• Education for Sustainable Development (Target 4.7): The planned marine learning and visitor center will serve as a hub for educating the public on marine biology, conservation, and the importance of sustainable practices.
• Raising Awareness: The high-profile nature of the art installation is intended to “awaken people to the problem” of marine degradation and climate change, fostering a sense of collective responsibility.
• Conclusion: While experts caution that local restoration efforts must be paired with global action on carbon emissions, the Reefline project stands as a vital case study. It demonstrates a hopeful, actionable model for integrating art, science, and community engagement to build ecological and social resilience.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water – The core of the article focuses on the Reefline project, which is an initiative to restore coral reefs and marine ecosystems off the coast of Miami.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The article explicitly links the degradation of coral reefs to climate change, mentioning threats like bleaching due to changes in temperature. The project is presented as a response to these climate-related impacts.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The project is located in a major coastal city (Miami) and aims to enhance the city’s resilience to coastal erosion and flooding, which are significant challenges for urban coastal areas. The involvement of the City of Miami Beach government also connects it to this goal.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article details the collaboration between various stakeholders, including artists, scientists, an architecture firm (OMA), private donors, the Knight Foundation, and the City of Miami Beach, to fund and implement the Reefline project.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  • Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.” The Reefline project is a direct action for the restoration of a smothered coral reef ecosystem.
  • Target 14.5: “By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information.” The creation of a seven-mile underwater sculpture park contributes to the conservation of a coastal marine area.
  • Target 14.a: “Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology… in order to improve ocean health.” The project is described as a “living laboratory” that generates “data, insight and momentum,” and it utilizes specialized technology like “Coral Loks” and lab-grown resilient coral strains.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The article states that “Coral reefs provide protection against flooding and coastal erosion,” thereby strengthening Miami’s resilience to climate-related hazards.
  • Target 13.3: “Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.” The project aims to “awaken people to the problem” of climate change’s impact on marine life and includes plans for a “marine learning and visitor centre.”

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.” The project combines the creation of a permanent art installation (cultural heritage) with the restoration of a coral reef (natural heritage).

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.” The article highlights the project’s funding model, which includes a “$5mn bond from the City of Miami Beach” (public), “private donations,” and funding from the “Knight Foundation” (civil society), demonstrating a public-private partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 14.2 (Marine ecosystem restoration):

  • Number of corals planted: The article explicitly states, “The goal is to plant one million [corals] throughout the seven-mile park.”
  • Area of restored habitat: The project’s planned size is mentioned: it will “eventually span seven miles.”
  • Survival rate of transplanted corals: The article implies this is a key metric by mentioning the use of “resilient strains that survived a 2023 bleaching incident” and the risk that “new corals might not even survive.”

• For Target 13.3 (Climate change awareness):

  • Public engagement and education: The planned “marine learning and visitor centre” implies that visitor numbers and educational program participation could be used as indicators of progress in raising awareness.

• For Target 14.a (Scientific knowledge):

  • Generation of scientific data: The description of the project as a “living laboratory” that “leaves behind data, insight and momentum” suggests that the volume and impact of research data produced could be an indicator.

• For Target 17.17 (Partnerships):

  • Financial resources mobilized: The article provides a clear financial target and progress marker: “Reefline needs to raise $40mn” and has already secured a “$5mn bond from the City of Miami Beach” as well as other private and foundation funding.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ft.com