My artwork illustrates one example of action that can help conserve coral reefs: cleaning up beaches. I portrayed a young girl picking up beach trash to show the importance of youth regarding coral reef conservation. The girl wears a cape, representing how those who take care our coral reefs are real-life superheroes. The girl is alone, representing how action can start with just one person. The sunset in the background represents hope for the future, which is further visualized by the vibrant coral reef behind the girl. To summarize, the littered beach in my painting shows a current challenge for coral reefs, the girl demonstrates a small yet heroic action to solve this issue, and the colorful colorful reef background represents a positive goal that we all must work toward. All in all, my painting aims to thank coral reef “superheroes” and inspire a new generation of young, active leaders.

Corals reefs are dying because of negative human activities. The lack of awareness surrounding the reefs have contributed to its destruction. Education paves our future. When awareness is spread, the ocean is bright and full of life. The plants and other organisms above the book live in a healthy ecosystem, free of negative human interventions. However, when the awareness of our environment ceases, pollutants begin to destroy the coral reef. This is illustrated underneath the book where the ocean is lifeless, corals are bleached, and fish are entangled in human waste. Pollution is steadily creeping into marine life and joining the jellyfish. The book will close and coral reefs will only exist in history books if the pollution is not stopped. We must take immediate action by spreading coral reef awareness and stop the cycle of waste before it is too late.