How PADI connects diving with the preservation of the planet | brand voices

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With so much beauty below the surface to explore, scuba enthusiasts are naturally a conservation-conscious bunch, and nothing more than members of the Professional Association of Diving Instructorswho are deeply involved in raise awareness about ocean conservation and restoration.

“Our vision is to achieve balance between humanity and the ocean,” says PADI. “We will do this by bringing together millions of Ocean Torchbearers, a global force for good that can be mobilized to restore the health of the oceans and support our coastal communities around the world.”

The world diving organization is calling on the public to join them in their noble efforts, because the statistics surrounding ocean conservation are shocking, and climate change is largely to blame.

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the average global sea surface temperature has risen 1.3C over the past century, threatening subsurface marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, which literally they have lost their vibrant color en masse due to mass bleaching events. Sea levels are rising. The very chemistry of the seas and oceans has changed. It’s more acidic, and it’s a less than favorable environment for sea creatures to thrive, due to harmful pollution from humanity. Seagrasses and mangroves are receding rapidly, at the rate of two football fields per hour, according to a PADI blog.

“It will take all of us working together, united by our passion and armed with a clear action plan, to turn the dial towards a healthy future for people and planet,” adds PADI.

The organization’s current campaigns are many and include Green Fins, which focuses on preserving coral reefs; an initiative to restore blue carbon ecosystems such as salt marshes and marshes; a campaign to grow underwater vegetation in partnership with The Ocean Foundation’s SeaGrass Grow Program; Dive Against Debris, the world’s largest citizen science movement; and protect sharks in conjunction with CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna.

“Divers are a unique and critical voice for the ocean,” says PADI. “No matter who or where you are (even if you dive or not!), you have a valuable role to play and your voice matters.”

PADI 30×30 Goal: Protect 30% of the ocean by 2030

About 71% of the Earth is covered by water, and PADI has partnered with SeaLegacy, a collective of filmmakers, storytellers and photographers concerned with protecting 30% of the seas by 2030.

“There is still hope to save the ocean, if we come together and act now,” says PADI. “Partnering with SeaLegacy allows us to amplify creating meaningful and actionable steps to protect our blue planet and all the life that calls it home.”

This concern and action is nothing new to the diving organization.

“PADI turns 56 this year. During this time, PADI members have built PADI into the largest diver training organization on the planet,” says longtime diver and PADI CEO and President Drew Richardson. “Her leadership and initiative are critical to delivering the brand values ​​through the PADI Pillars of Change.

“By harnessing the power of the PADI brand as a force for good that connects people, together we foster an engaged and resilient global community of divers. PADI has always been proud of our deeper purpose and the role we play in making the world a better place.”

That 30% goal can have a significant impact, PADI reports, in restoring waterways to health. It will reverse existing damage, sustain ecosystems, impact resilience to climate change, help wildlife habitats, and restore ocean health and well-being.

“It is clear that we need more protection of the oceans,” says PADI. “Therefore, SeaLegacy and PADI launched a joint 30×30 campaign to generate immediate and positive action for our ocean. Furthermore, this collaboration aims to inspire, support and create meaningful change around the world to meet this important and bold goal. Furthermore, it will be a multi-year alliance that begins with a grassroots campaign and a global petition.”

The diving giant’s blog shares opportunities for everyone to do their part, like signing the PADI request x SeaLegacy 30×30, which will challenge world leaders to increase ocean protection before the turn of the decade. To date, the organization has received more than 27,000 signatures with the goal of reaching 50,000.

Key partnerships in protecting the oceans

PADI, with a global network of more than 6,600 dive centers and resorts around the world, knows that no one can complete such a monumental task as preserving the ocean alone, which is why partnerships are so vital to the mission.

Together with the PADI AWARE Foundation and The Ocean Cleanup, PADI is pioneering a program “to inform ocean-friendly waste management policies in countries around the world through data collection.”

First and foremost in the front line are the members of the diver. More than 2 million pieces of debris have been removed from the ocean thanks to PADI Torchbearers, according to Richardson. And that work also led to helping more than 10,000 entangled marine animals, the organization says.

Watchermaker Seiko and PADI have partnered with the global diving community to deliver vital survey data to be used by marine researchers and policymakers for conservation efforts.

PADI is also involved with The Ocean Foundation’s SeaGrass Grow program to enable dive adventures that conserve seagrass and mangroves and have a low or zero carbon footprint.

PADI states that scientists estimate that a seagrass meadow the size of a football field is lost every 20 minutes; the organization says this is due to carbon emissions associated with travel. The Ocean Foundation intensified its efforts to provide disaster relief and community support to Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Florida after they were affected by the 2022 Hurricane Ian.

Richardson says that as people continue to connect with the ocean, the idea of ​​saving the waters becomes second nature.

“As a PADI member, you make a difference every day”, says richardson. “You have the power and influence to inspire possibilities and create life-changing opportunities for countless people, a truly empowering and honorable purpose behind why we dive.”