The document discusses how the underwater sculpture MOUA is a piece of art that communicates the importance of research, coral reefs, and how art, science, and humanity can come together to protect reefs. It also discusses strategies for promoting behavioral change to protect reefs, such as highlighting gaps between thoughts and actions, posing questions rather than statements, and asking people to make small, daily changes.

1. “[MOUA IS] A LIVING PIECE OF ART THAT
COMMUNICATES TO THE PEOPLE HOW
IMPORTANT RESEARCH IS, HOW IMPORTANT
CORAL REEFS ARE, AND HOW ALL THESE
ASPECTS – ART, SCIENCE, HUMANITY – CAN
COME TOGETHER TO PROTECT THE REEF.”
Dr Katharina Fabricius,
AIMS Researcher, MOUA Ocean Sentinel
INSPIRING
CHANGE
THROUGH
ART
Artwork moua.com.au/visit/ocean-sentinels

2. PEOPLE BELIEVE IN CLIMATE CHANGE NOW
Source abc.net.au Artwork moua.com.au/visit/ocean-siren

3. CLIMATE STILL NEEDS BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
Source carbonbrief.org Artwork moua.com.au/visit/john-brewer-reef

4. FEAR NOT GREAT FOR BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
Source asc.upenn.edu
Fear appeals are most effective for one-time actions
rather than repeated behaviours, i.e. long-term lifestyle changes.

5. BUT COMMUNICATING FEAR IS ALL WE DO
Source journals.plos.org

6. NO SURPRISE PEOPLE ARE SWITCHING OFF
Source reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk Artwork underwatersculpture.com

7. HOPE BETTER MOTIVATOR FOR CHANGE
Source dailymail.co.uk Artwork moua.com.au/visit/coral-greenhouse

8. PERSUADE PEOPLE TO CHANGE BEHAVIOUR
Source hbr.org
Rather than trying to persuade people, get them to persuade themselves.
§ HIGHLIGHT A GAP - Point out a disconnect between their thoughts and
actions, or between what they might recommend for others versus do
themselves.
§ POSE QUESTIONS - Questions shift the listener’s role. Rather than counter-
arguing or thinking about all the reasons they disagree, they’re sorting
through their answer to your query and their feelings or opinions on the
matter. And this shift increases buy-in.
§ ASK FOR LESS - Dial down the initial request. Ask for less initially, and then
ask for more. Take a big ask and break it down into smaller, more
manageable chunks.

9. HIGHLIGHT A GAP
The underwater art and
its coral growth shows that
the reef is not beyond saving,
but resilient and worth protecting.
POSE QUESTIONS
Why protect the reef?
Is the reef in danger?
What can I do?
ASK FOR LESS
Make small daily changes.
moua.com.au/protect

14. MAKE SMALL DAILY CHANGES
ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE AT HOME
• Share reef-safe messages on social
• Reduce electricity use
• Turn off power at the wall
• Use energy efficient appliances, lights
• Catch the breeze instead of air con
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Ride, walk, carpool, bus, train, etc
• Consider vehicle fuel efficiency
• Use renewable energy
• Install solar power, hot water
• Purchase green power
• …
Source gbrmpa.gov.au Artwork moua.com.au/visit/coral-greenhouse
ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE AT
WORK, SCHOOL, ON THE REEF
For more suggestions
moua.com.au/protect

16. Join the MOUA working group:
COMMUNICATING FOR
BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE
christian@moua.com.au
linkedin.com/in/cbartens