In the past 30 years, about half of the world’s coral reef population has been lost due to climate change, overfishing and pollution. Currently coral reefs face a projected loss of 95% by the year 2050, with devastating consequences for the survival of marine species that rely on them, and for the oceans’ health in general.   

rrreefs (which stands for “rethinking, rebuilding, regenerating coral reefs”) is a social enterprise created in 2020 by an interdisciplinary team with backgrounds in science, art, and economics as a response to severe degradation of coral reefs. 

rrreefs has successfully tested a modular system of scientifically designed 3D-printed clay modules to restore lost reef habitat. Their artificial pilot reef first deployed in Colombia in 2021 showed that fish diversity approached the natural population within three to six months, that after one year there were twice as many baby corals as in the natural reef and that coral recruitment more than tripled within 12-24 months. 

Fourfold supports rrreefs to implement the Pujada Bay Reef Regeneration project, a pioneering three-year initiative that will regenerate coral reefs and support local communities in the Philippines. By combining cutting-edge reef rehabilitation technology with activities to engage and educate the community, strengthen local leadership and support local innovation, rrreefs and Fourfold are tackling the ecological and socio-economic challenges that come with coral reef decline. The project aims to establish a scalable and self-sustaining model for reef regeneration that can be adapted by other regions, with full ownership, operation, and benefits remaining in local hands.