Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan took her first steps as a baby on the shores of Bali, and went on to grow up in the world of competitive swimming – so it’s safe to say, water has shaped her development and the trajectory of her life.
Brigitta has carved out quite the name for herself in the ocean conservation scene – both on a grassroots and government level and is leading the way when it comes to marine protection both in Indonesia, and beyond.
She’s also the founder of 30×30 Indonesia – a creative community providing hands-on opportunities for Indonesians and communities to connect with the ocean – and also working towards the ambitious goal of protecting 30% of the planet by 2030.
Her accolades have continued to roll in, becoming a National Geographic Young Explorer, winning the Ocean Awards Young Initiative by the Blue Marine Foundation, and becoming a member of EarthEcho International’s Youth Leadership Council.
And now? Brigitta has received the Global Citizen Youth Leaders Award, which recognises young individuals who are innovators and advocates working to address the issues perpetuating extreme poverty from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region; and helping tackle the world’s biggest issues including climate, gender equity, and human rights.
We got to chat to Brigitta about her work, and what winning this award means to her.
Can you share the story behind the founding of 30×30 Indonesia and its role in marine conservation?
30×30 Indonesia was launched as a campaign in 2021 during my time serving in the three-month OceanEcho 30×30 Fellowship by EarthEcho International. At the time, we were equipped with resources and training to launch our own public mobilisation programs in support of the 30×30 marine goal to be adopted in COP15.
By 2022, it was officially adopted as part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP15 in Montreal (to Conserve 30% of Land, Waters and Seas) and the G20 Bali Leaders Declaration. Upon conclusion of the fellowship, we had over 1,500 people in 90 locations – which, for a 17-year-old high school student who started things from scratch, was a lot to fathom.
Having developed an interest in this awareness effort, I took this initiative forward which still continues to this day, winning multiple awards for our work. Since then, we have focused on creative ways to raise awareness on 30×30, including hosting seminars, school visits, and habitat restoration initiatives in collaboration with local organisations – one of which is the 30×30 Coral Garden in Tulamben, Bali.
This is an artificial reef shaped as the number 30 on the ocean floor to advocate for 30×30 whilst serving as alternative homes and sources of food for marine organisms. We have planted up to 600 coral fragments, and our team of volunteer divers conduct monitoring efforts to ensure this coral garden is properly managed.
What are some of the key challenges you’ve encountered in advancing global biodiversity frameworks?
I think the key challenge has been to ensure that we help establish a good understanding of why these frameworks matter, particularly in a local and intergenerational context. Too often, people can get carried away or discouraged with such ambitious global targets, but in reality, everyone has a role to play to hold leaders accountable for their commitments.
We also recognise that different demographics have different priorities, so we are always trying to navigate ways to ensure that marine conservation is meaningfully communicated within socio-economic frameworks.
With the climate crisis accelerating, what solutions or innovations excite you the most in marine protection globally?
I am keen to see how technology will continue helping us protect marine environments more efficiently. There are incredible solutions such as AI fish identification, ‘superfoods’ for corals at risk of bleaching events, and seaweed-based plastics that I am looking forward to seeing as they grow in scale.
I am also excited to be developing Diverseas – a program where we are creating an open-source asset for virtual reality and in-person marine science education by filming grassroots initiatives in 360-degree (giving the experience of a diver) and bringing these into classrooms.
As part of your Global Citizen Youth Leaders Award, you attended Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne and Global Citizen Nights in March. What was the highlight, and how has Global Citizen’s prize and recognition helped you in your mission and work?
Attending the Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne and Global Citizen Nights in Melbourne was phenomenal. I think the highlight was the opportunity I got to amplify ocean conservation and talk about some of 30×30 Indonesia’s work on stage alongside Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, and the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson.
I have since stayed in touch with the connections I’ve made, receiving their continued support beyond the summit in Melbourne. The prize and recognition has given me a network of people and the opportunity to continue creating more impact. As a youth leader, I know I have so much to learn and so many areas where we can develop better ways to effectively protect the marine environment, so Global Citizen has truly opened a world of possibilities for me.