Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan
Founder of 30x30 Indonesia | National Geographic Young Explorer | EE 30 Under 30 | Ocean Award Young Initiative Winner
Biography
Brigitta Gunawan is a National Geographic Young Explorer, winner of the Ocean Awards Young Initiative, and an EE 30 Under 30. She received a fully-funded scholarship at Monash University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Conservation Biology, with a minor in Earth Science. She is the founder of 30x30 Indonesia – a campaign supporting the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. As an environmental educator and ocean conservation advocate, her initiatives foster meaningful ocean protection in Indonesia and beyond. She collaborates with stakeholders to organize hands-on experiences via science-based programs such as the three-part 30x30 Youth Ocean Conference, coral reef and mangrove restoration efforts, school-wide ocean education workshops, and digital activations. She serves in the IUCN Climate Change Specialist Group of the World Commission on Protected Areas, and as a co-chair of EarthEcho International’s Youth Leadership Council education committee. Brigitta has shared her work and story on world stages including the United Nations Ocean Conference, the Asia Parks Congress, and the UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab. Her mission is to connect communities with the fragile beauty of our ocean through science, education, and storytelling.
NatGeo Mission Moment 2023 Oct.movProjects
Speaking Engagements
Asia Parks Congress
Sabah, Malaysia
United Nations Ocean Conference
Lisbon, Portugal
Youth Leadership Council Meeting
Washington DC, United States
UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab
Mysore, India
Features
Paragon One Externship
Brigitta served in the inaugural cohort of the Marine & Community Conservation Externship with National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy hosted by Paragon One. As part of the externship, she conducted research and explored issues about coral bleaching within a local context. She created a Story Map called "A Tale of Bleached Cities: Eyeing a Future for Coral Reefs in Bali, Indonesia" which can be accessed below. A video of her final presentation and a certificate of Oustanding Completion can also seen below.
Upon completion of this 8-week program, Brigitta was invited to apply for the 6-month Seed Funding Project which allowed her to launch the 30x30 Coral Garden in a small fishing village in Bali. She is currently developing plans and exploring more opportunities to continue the maintenance, monitoring, and expansion of this coral transplantation site.
GenSea
Brigitta is one of the youth leaders behind GenSea who is providing input for this platform for young ocean conservationists. Young people ages 13-25 are invited to join GenSea, a global community of young ocean advocates, connected through networking, learning, and collective action to protect and restore our ocean planet. By joining the GenSea digital platform, powered by EarthEcho International, you’ll directly connect and collaborate with a community of fellow ocean advocates from 50+ countries to share resources, ideas, and inspiration. GenSea features monthly events and virtual trainings to help you build skills in advocacy, communications, entrepreneurship and more, while unlocking access to unique opportunities, including the chance to serve on the EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council. Through your participation, you’ll have the opportunity to share your work and apply the skills gained to take direct action to protect our ocean planet with your peers, EarthEcho, and our partners.
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