PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: iLab’s Go! Coral Guardian
For the last four years, iLab has facilitated a project called ‘GO! Coral Guardian’, with the purpose of compelling people throughout China to take action in support of marine and coral protection.
It’s clear to iLab that protecting our coral and ocean ecosystems is critical to the health of our blue planet. Oceans cover 71% of Earth’s surface and comprise 90% of the biosphere and coral reefs are the forests of the ocean and the most important component of the marine ecosystem. Coral reefs cover less than 0.1% of the ocean floor and yet they support at least 25% of marine habitats and the livelihoods of 500 million people worldwide. We have a big responsibility to prevent further degradation of our coral reefs and some ground to make up for from the past. In just the past 30 years, the Great Barrier Reef has lost 50% of its coral reefs and 60% of coral reefs globally are expected to be dead in the next 30 years.
To address this issue, iLab pursues marine-friendly and coral-safe formulas in all of their products. All products exclude ingredients that harm marine and coral ecosystems, such as oxybenzone, cinnamate, octocrylene, parabens, and microplastics. In addition, iLab advocates for “1% Ocean,” by contributing 1% of all sales revenue and resources of iLab to efforts that support marine environmental protection and initiates environmental action such as coral planting and beach cleaning with World Ocean Day every year.
Here’s a brief history of the “GO! Coral Guardian!” efforts:
2020: The 1st session of Coral Guardian was a joint environmental protection action by the international diving organization – SSI, World Ocean Day and iLab. Coral planting activities were carried out on Weizhou island, and beach cleaning activities were carried out on Wailing-ding island in Zhuhai.
2021: In the 2nd session of Coral Guardian, the COVID-19 pandemic restricted activities around the world, but could not restrict our love for the ocean. By live-streaming the entire underwater coral planting process, people were informed of the importance of coral protection. During this session, 6 professionals from outdoor sports field (Jenny Zhao, Shirley Yan, Cuiling Shi, Shan Ye, Alan Yang, and Tea-tia ) and 6 social media figures (Du Yini, FUCO, Mia Liu, SarahXU, Xavier, and YANGFANJAME) were chosen as 2022 Friends of World Ocean Day China.
2022: For the 3rd session of the Coral Guardian in 2022, iLab gathered extreme sports enthusiasts and marine environmentalists to take action for marine environmental protection. iLab launched a series of environmental protection campaigns, including raising awareness about marine protection through speeches and forums, and direct services by way of coral planting. The general public was also invited to participate in advocating for marine environmental protection, and promote China’s environmental protection efforts to the world.
2023: This year, the 4th session of the ‘Go! Coral Guardian’, iLab will continue demonstrating their
dedication to environmental protection efforts by working with global environmental organizations to carry out the marine and coral protection efforts. 4 environmentalists from outdoor related fields including – Helena Hu / Tina Qian / Veronica Pang / Wu Zhi Zhou Island have been chosen as 2022 Friend of World Ocean Day China. Other Friends of World Ocean Day China include 3 government organizations – Sanya Investment Promotion Bureau / Tourism,Culture,Radio,Television and Sports Bureau of Hainan Lingshui Li Autonomous County / Sanya Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports Bureau and 2 islands that focus on and advocate for environmental protection – West Island Sanya / Boundary Island Hainan. All of these partners will work together with iLab to promote China’s environmental protection efforts to the world and restore the ecological environment of our blue planet.
Thank you to iLab and all the Friends of World Ocean Day China for your past and ongoing efforts to protect our one shared ocean!
Check out the full list of World Ocean Day 2023 Supporters and to learn more about becoming a partner or support of World Ocean Day here.