On Wednesday, June 11th from 2-3PM ET, Gather will host a live chat with Don Brawley, founder of Eternal Reefs. Don will be featured on the season finale of "Big Ideas for a Small Planet". The episode is called "Pray".
Coral reefs are the world’s richest repositories of marine biodiversity, and are the largest living structures on earth. Yet two thirds of the world’s reefs are under severe threat because of rising water temperatures, sewage runoff, disease and negligence. Record high temperatures are killing corals across the globe, with only a few of the hardiest corals surviving. When coral reefs die, fish populations disappear; beaches and shorelines are damaged. Don Brawley, an avid diver, noticed the reef deterioration in his many dives in the Florida Keys. He invented a way to create man-made reefs that supports coral re-growth. But it wasn’t until his father in law passed away that Don discovered he could mix cremated remains into the concrete that forms the reef, creating a permanent, living and sacred nature preserve. Brawley realized that people might want the opportunity to give back as a final act, and that’s how he founded Eternal Reefs.
Eternal Reefs was formed in 1998 as an offshoot of the Reef Ball Development Group (RBDG). Don co-founded RBDG in 1992 to design and build artificial reefs. Don served as Vice President of Research and Development and was instrumental in designing the "Reef Ball" artificial reef system, used world wide to replenish dwindling natural reef barriers.
You can see Don on "Big Ideas for a Small Planet" on the following days:
July 10th 9:00pm, 10:40pm; July 12th 12:00am, 1:40am; July 13th 10:00am, 11:40am; July 15th 3:00pm, 4:40pm
Find out from Don how spirituality and his concern for the environment tie in with his work for Eternal Reefs. If you can't make the chat, leave a comment or question below.
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Comments: 47
We place the reefs in selected areas that will sustain sea life, it is a location that may or may not have had a reef located there previously. They are in areas that have enough light and nutrients to thrive.
What kind of resistance have you experienced from secular and religious communities about the idea of green burials?
We think that our costs are reasonable and in line with typical final expenses. We think we offer more in the long run, by offering families the opportunity to create a living memorial. It is very unique. They feel positive about the experience.
We do what we can every day. Sometimes these are small things like re-using something. It is part of a mind-set really. I think is is as simple as trying to be responsible.
Yes, although luring is not exactly the right concept. We really are enhancing the habitat. When adequate nutrients etc. are present. Nature takes its course. our reefs attract a variety of sea life.
How does a person do this? Get their ashes put into one of these reefs? Is there a site for contacting your company?
Many families love the sea, and also like the idea of a positive contribution. We attract a lot of sensitive, creative prople. They feel good about creating a reef.
Our website is www.eternalreefs.com That should help you with more information.
We are considering international work at this time. However, there are many things to consider as we are very careful and are taking our time.
We find our families in a variety of ways and are now in the process of offering our services through Funeral Professionals. This will increase awareness of Eternal Reefs and make the process more available. Many of our families have contacted us directly.
I love the way English people encourage being green in the smalles ways they live. At least the people I know there. :-) They are a tiny island and most of them have a personal understanding of "limited resources" and how to make the most of what they have. Europe is "greener" than we are out of necessity. They have much less in the way of resources and have been using them for much longer. Their learning curve for creating viable spaces in spaces that have been lived in by human beings for centuries is much higher because they've been doing it much longer. The US has huge resources to call on and the need hasn't been there for reusing and living in a space that's been used for a long time.
Working with the families is a wonderful experience.
I am a religious person, but I think I would have done this anyway.
Be informed and responsible about your activities. If you do your homework, as new initiaves appear, you will figure out what you can do to help the reefs. It may be as simple as changing you detergent brand or particilating in a fish counting project. Some of the reefball initiatives even transplant corals that were damaged in storms etc. Do what you can.