EMBRACE THE SUN, PROTECT THE SEA

Embrace the sun, protect the sea.  World Sustainability Foundation, Naturalwave and Roncalli Viaggi join forces to protect coral reefs.

Coral reefs in crisis: a marine treasure at risk

Coral reefs are home to 25% of the world’s marine life, yet today they face an unprecedented crisis. The main threats are human-driven: rising CO₂ levels, water pollution, overfishing, and coastal alteration.

One of the most alarming phenomena is coral bleaching, caused by thermal stress and worsened by pollution and sedimentation, which since 2023 has already affected 84% of coral reefs.
Corals are not only essential for biodiversity, but also a vital resource for people:: they protect coastlines from waves and storms, support fisheries and local economies, ensure food security, and contribute to the climate resilience of coastal communities.

“Embrace the Sun, Protect the Sea”: from sustainability to concrete action

In the face of this global emergency, an initiative is taking shape that brings together Italian companies and international organisations to provide tangible support for coral conservation.

Since 2022, through the “Save the Corals” project, the World Sustainability Foundation (WSF), a foundation of the World Sustainability Organisation (WSO), has supported coral reef conservation and monitoring activities in the Gulf of Thailand, managed by the Aow Thai Marine Ecology Centre (ATMEC) and the Love Wildlife Foundation and the Love Wildlife Foundation. Activities range from scientific research to coral restoration, from removing abandoned fishing gear to promoting the genetic diversity of reefs.

Building on this experience, the new initiative “Embrace the Sun, Protect the Sea” has been created to turn support for coral reefs into concrete action. The two Italian companies involved, Naturalwave and Roncalli Viaggi, starting on 15 April 2026, will donate the funds collected to the World Sustainability Foundation to directly support ATMEC’s protection projects for Thailand’s coral reef. This commitment will run until October 2026.

The goal is not only financial: the initiative also aims to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting and safeguarding these precious marine ecosystems.

Naturalwave: mindful cosmetics, protected seas

Founded by two underwater archaeologists, Gabriella and Cristiano, Naturalwave was born from first-hand field experience and a mission to protect the sea through everyday choices.
Their cosmetic products, designed to be used even in seawater, are formulated without silicones, petroleum derivatives, or substances harmful to ecosystems, with more than 98% natural and organic ingredients.

Naturalwave’s responsible approach has earned the company the Friend of the Sea certification, a project of the World Sustainability Organization, which attests to compliance with strict environmental standards verified by independent, accredited bodies.

Certified products also include sunscreen, particularly relevant in the context of this project. Every year, about 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in tropical seas, and the chemical filters they contain can interfere with marine wildlife’s endocrine systems, causing rapid and severe damage to corals.

With “Embrace the Sun, Protect the Sea”, Naturalwave has chosen to allocate €1 for every product sold to the conservation activities managed by ATMEC, turning an everyday purchase into a concrete action for the sea.

Roncalli Viaggi: responsible tourism for the oceans

The tourism sector also plays a crucial role. Roncalli Viaggi, an agency with over 25 years of experience and the first in Italy to obtain sustainable tourism certification from WSO, has decided to allocate €5 for each booking directly to ATMEC’s activities.

For years, Roncalli Viaggi has supported WSF environmental initiatives, such as the “1 guest 1 tree planted” project, which involves planting trees in Central Africa. The company promotes mindful tourism that enhances destinations while reducing impacts on ecosystems.

At a time when marine and reef-related travel experiences are increasingly popular, operators play a decisive role in educating travellers and protecting natural environments.

A concrete commitment to the future of the oceans

Coral reefs are not only a unique natural heritage: they protect coastlines, support fisheries, and contribute to food security and climate resilience.

“Embrace the Sun, Protect the Sea” shows that collaboration between responsible businesses and organisations can generate real impact turning everyday choices, from purchasing a product to booking a trip, into concrete actions to protect the environment and the sea.

You can support the cause too: buy Naturalwave cosmetics or book your sustainable trip with Roncalli Viaggi..

Thanks to World Sustainability Organisation certifications, each product and service involved helps ensure that your contribution truly supports the protection of marine ecosystems, transparently and with verified standards.

Image: Friend of the Sea

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