Employees from Aramco Asia Japan (AAJ) recently volunteered to educate local children about marine conservation as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives. The event saw over 220 parents and children come together, showcasing a strong commitment to community engagement.
During the event, AAJ volunteers guided children through a hands-on experiment designed to explore the dietary preferences of corals. The goal of the experiment was to investigate whether understanding what corals prefer to eat could help prevent coral bleaching, thus introducing the children to basic research techniques.
Coral reefs are essential for marine biodiversity, providing food and habitat for approximately 25% of the world’s fish species. However, National Geographic reports that nearly 20% of global coral reefs have been lost, with many more currently at risk. Pollution and rising ocean temperatures are major threats to these ecosystems, which have significant impacts on both marine life and human communities. Thus, coral conservation is a pressing issue.
Okinawa, with its 300 coral species, stands as one of the world’s most diverse marine environments. For 15 years, AAJ has worked with the local community to support coral reef conservation and restoration in Okinawa.
Abdullah A. Jastaniah, AAJ’s representative director, commented, “Both Saudi Arabia and Japan boast rich marine diversity, and corals are crucial for maintaining marine biodiversity and the health of our planet. This experiment goes beyond learning about coral diets; it’s about understanding how to protect this vital ecosystem. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.
