How Open Innovation Could Save the Great Barrier Reef

March 10, 2017 By IdeaConnection

Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world, a gathering of vivid coral that stretches for approximately 2,600 kilometers. Its maze of individual reef systems, tropical islands and coral cays provides a home for hundreds of different types of marine plants and animals.

But it is under threat from climate change, declining water quality and a variety of other challenges. To help halt the decline and safeguard the reef’s future, conservationists are turning to open innovation.

Hack the Reef

On March 25, the world’s first hackathon to protect the reef is going to take place at the World Science Festival in Queensland’s Townsville. Participants will be invited to work in small teams to develop solutions to the complex problems, specifically the threats posed by climate change and the decline in water quality.

Mentors will be on hand during the event to provide insights into the reef and help for those learning new problem solving techniques.

There is a lot at stake, but in turning to open innovation, organizers hope they will be able to benefit from the wisdom of the crowd.

Advantages of Hackathon

Hackathons have a lot going for them, including:

  • Exponentially increasing an organization’s problem-solving capacity.
  • Stimulating creative problem-solving juices.
  • Bringing a fresh perceptive to business and innovation challenges.
  • Generating actionable solutions (time constraints usually don’t allow for impracticality).
  • Identifying new talent.
  • Collaborating across disciplines.

For more details about Hack the Reef, including details of how you can register to take part, click here.


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