Rising sea levels are a particularly acute problem in Australia where over 80% of the population lives in the coastal zone. But while sea defences protect shorelines, they are often flat structures, devoid of shelter for organisms like fish, invertebrates, and seaweed.
Living Seawalls is a flagship program of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. Its habitat panels, designed to mimic natural formations like rock pools and mangrove roots, can be fitted to new or existing sea defences. The project is a collaboration between creative designers and marine ecologists. As a result, life has found its way back to the Sydney shorelines.
Sea defences fitted with habitat panels have 36% more marine life after just two years, with further increases expected through time. Up to 115 species of invertebrates and seaweed, as well as tens of species of fish thrive among the panels. The project operates at 11 Australian locations, and it has since gone global. It now benefits shorelines in Wales, Gibraltar and Singapore, with the added bonus of boosting public awareness.
Since becoming an Earthshot Prize Finalist, the Living Seawalls team have enjoyed a significantly increased global profile including an audience with Australian PM Scott Morrison and featuring on Cate Blanchett’s Climate of Change podcast. They have also continued to win commissions around the world including two recent UK projects, as well as expansion of the Sydney Harbour project supported by a recent AUD$4.5 million grant from the New South Wales Government.
With Global Alliance Member Herbert Smith Freehills’ support they are on track to spin out from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science to be an independent business by end of 2022, allowing them to scale up to meet the increased global demand. At the beginning of 2022 DP World committed £500,000 to integrate Living Seawalls into their global network of ports.
“Australia is home to some of the most diverse and unique marine life in the world but is also facing some of the greatest impacts of climate change. By thinking beyond the box on ocean conservation, Living Seawalls is revolutionising the way we build in our oceans. We are creating a global blueprint where sea defences are designed with both humans and nature in mind. In doing so, we can build defences against rising sea levels that also support and protect vulnerable marine life.”
“We’re delighted to be recognised by The Earthshot Prize and can’t wait to come together and discuss all the other pioneering solutions to protect our planet this year.”
Living Seawalls team
Since becoming Finalists in 2021, Living Seawalls have been awarded £500,000 by Global Alliance Founding Partner, DP World, to fund the design and installation of a new seawall in Peru. While, Global Alliance Member, Arup, has supported the team with introductions leading to a new UK licensing arrangement and opportunities for further expansion across Europe.
Download our 2024 Impact Report and dive into the details of what our global community has achieved to date.
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