Brigitta Gunawan: A young leader driving ocean conservation
Brigitta Gunawan, a member of Generation17, is leading efforts in ocean conservation through initiatives like 30×30 Indonesia and Diverseas. Her work focuses on coral reef restoration and ocean literacy education.
Brigitta Gunawan is part of Generation17, a collaborative initiative by Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that empowers young individuals contributing to the Global Goals. Since its inception in 2020, Generation17 has provided young leaders with Samsung Galaxy technology, mentorship, and networking opportunities to enhance their initiatives and solutions.
Brigitta’s transformative journey began during a snorkeling trip as a teenager off the coast of Nusa Penida, Indonesia. The vibrant marine life and colorful coral reefs left a lasting impression on her, igniting a passion for ocean conservation. Growing up in Jakarta, an industrial city far from the ocean, Brigitta’s connection to the sea was profound, having taken her first steps on a beach in Bali. The snorkeling experience instilled in her a sense of responsibility to protect these vital ecosystems.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warns of the dire state of coral reefs due to warming oceans, pollution, and overfishing, with predictions that up to 90% could vanish by 2050. Coral reefs are crucial for marine life, coastal protection, and supporting communities reliant on healthy oceans. Globally, over one billion people depend on these ecosystems for their livelihoods.
In 2021, at the age of 17, Brigitta launched 30×30 Indonesia, inspired by the global initiative to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, aligning with the UN’s Global Goals for climate action and marine conservation. Her campaign began with a hashtag and a call for photo submissions supporting the cause, quickly gaining traction with over 400 submissions in the first month.
Beyond social media, Brigitta collaborated with local diving communities and village leaders in northeast Bali to create a coral garden. This artificial structure aids in reef recovery by planting coral fragments, achieving a survival rate of up to 86% over five years.
Addressing the challenge of ocean inaccessibility, Brigitta launched Diverseas in 2024, a free educational program using 360-degree underwater filming to bring reef experiences to classrooms. This initiative supports the UN’s Global Goal for quality education by offering immersive ocean literacy to students, fostering a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems.
Diverseas has reached over 20,000 people across 12 countries through workshops, online courses, and events, emphasizing the importance of ocean conservation. Brigitta aims to expand her efforts globally and continue reef restoration across Indonesia.
Brigitta’s optimism in the face of overwhelming reef loss statistics is unwavering. She believes that education is key to inspiring the next generation of ocean advocates and future policymakers. “For young people, giving up is not an option,” she asserts. “We have to remain hopeful.”