Happy Earth Day to my Beautiful Ocean

Author: Taylor Lapratt Abreu

Happy Earth Day! I am thrilled to announce that I will be putting together an Eco-Dive Club with Adventure Sports Newmarket this summer! For more information, scroll to the bottom of this article, where you'll find an Earth Day Annoucement!

This Earth Day let’s make it about our favorite 70 percent- the ocean. As scuba divers, we are the fortunate few that get to experience its beauty. Beneath the waves we are exposed to a whole other world, one most of us share a common love for... It's beautiful, but it needs to be protected. The colourful coral cannot defend itself from damaging chemicals. The sharks cannot defend themselves from their human predators. Whales cannot defend themselves from the plastic they are mistakenly consuming. The ocean cannot protect itself from us. We are too technically advanced- too comfortable with our current practices. The inconvenience that comes with wanting to eliminate the ocean’s threats scares people. To many, it seems unachievable and unrealistic... But when you find worth in something, anything is achievable. Our love for this magical place covering a vast majority of our Earth can go as far as we wish.

The day I arrived back from my first scuba diving excursion, was the day my family agreed to stop using plastic bags. After discovering that sea turtles often mistaken these bags for their favorite treat, jellyfish, I was devastated. That was the start to my journey of protecting the ocean, and all it took was exposure and understanding. The exposure created a bond... The ocean became my safe place, and I wanted to return the favor.

My generation of divers will see it. Over time, we'll notice the differences. We'll remember the ocean how it was, and live through what it will become. We'll remember the creatures we've seen, that will no longer be with us. We'll remember the colors of the coral, that will bleach overtime. We'll remember taking a giant stride through the blue waves, that will fill with beds of floating plastic. We will remember it, we will see it, and we will live through it- if it doesn't change.

Every article I've read and every petition I've signed, will make a difference. Every plastic bag I've refused and every straw I've avoided, will make a difference. Every photo or video I've posted of the beauties of our deep blue sea, will make a difference. My voice and yours, will make a difference. No single person can doing everything there is to protect the ocean, but all together, each of us can do what we can until the ocean’s threats are eliminated.

I personally believe, that one of the simplest actions you can take as a scuba diver to protect our ocean is sharing your voice and ideas. The ocean’s biggest threat is the belief that someone else will save it. Spreading your voice, opinions, and ideas is the best way to spread awareness and suggestions to those that are not yet on board with the movement of protecting our water.

- EARTH DAY ANNOUCEMENT -

Finally... Adventure Sports is happy to announce that this summer we will be putting together an Eco-Dive Club! Our hope is to create a group of divers with a strong passion to save the ocean, who will have opportunities to arrange different fundraisers and events, geared towards supporting Project Aware's efforts to protect underwater environments and species. Monthly meetings will consist of brainstorming creative ideas and putting together interactive activities for other divers to participate in. Our job will be to engage as many people as possible in the steps towards a healthy, happy ocean... The sky is the limit!

As we continue to expand, with a new location in the near future, we wish to also expand our impact. We are a dive shop that values all that's living within all waterways. We pledge to protect our ocean by doing what we can moving forward, starting with this. We need your creativity, your ideas, your passion and most importantly your love for the water. If "Ocean Activist" screams your name, this club will offer you the chance to expand just how much you can do! Contact the shop for more information on getting onboard.