[Coral-List] Project Aware & Climate Change

[Steve Mussman]

I received a few off-list inquiries regarding ways in which coral scientists might be able to show support for Project Aware’s effort to raise awareness and acceptance of the role that climate change and other major stressors play in the coral reef crisis. One simple, but potentially effective way would be to connect with Project Aware on Facebook (and other social media outlets) and take a moment to comment on any posts that you support. This would be an easy way to connect with divers from around the world while lending your backing and expertise to their many campaigns designed to promote the conservation of marine ecosystems. I know you are busy, so thanks for considering yet another request for further involvement.

Regards,
Steve  



Sent from my iPad

> On Mar 5, 2020, at 10:09 AM, Steve Mussman via Coral-List <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
> 
> Recent social media posts by Project Aware (the conservation arm major  of PADI, the world’s largest scuba certification agency) exposes the conundrum confronting the diving industry as it navigates its way through the politicized issue of climate change. Industry leaders are increasingly aware of the intensifying threats to coral reefs as well as the undeniable degradation that has already occurred. While it is relatively safe to encourage divers to mobilize against plastic trash, harmful sunscreens and shark-finning, if they extend their advocacy to the need for improving water quality and the replenishment of fish stocks they potentially cross into perilous waters. Take on climate change and things get treacherous real fast. No doubt about it, it would be easier to keep looking the other way in the hope that shifting baselines will continue to obscure the truth . . . but at what price? More and more it is becoming obvious that coral reef ecosystems hang precariously in the balance and with that, the economic viability of the industry as a whole. 
> 
> Over the past weekend Project Aware showed courage via Facebook posts that were in support of Greta Thunberg’s climate change campaign (in Bristol, UK). This may sound like a somewhat tempered response to the coral crisis, but for the dive industry it breaks new ground. (I’m not suggesting that a sea change has occurred, but it is a step in the right direction). Although reactions were varied, the vitriol spewed by divers who view climate change as a partisan political issue were in full view. Many expressed anger and shouted out that they would no longer support Project Aware as a result. PADI, and the industry as a whole, I’m sure took note. While all businesses wish to broaden their support, there comes a time when taking a stand regardless of the inherent risks makes sense. This is one of those times and I would suggest to the coral science community that you could lend support to Project Aware’s effort to step into the climate change arena by making it a point to carefully refine the message that you send out to the public at large. 
> 
> With so much attention now being focused on coral restoration perhaps more efforts could be made to emphasize that the ultimate long-term success of many of these projects will depend on whether or not societies choose to adequately address both local and global stressors. Let divers, industry leaders and everyone else know, in no uncertain terms, that if we want corals to survive and flourish we have to take steps beyond outplanting stocks of genetically superior corals. In addition, we must act on the local level to restore the natural ecological balance and globally to curb climate change. It is not an either/or proposition and it’s not about politics or conflicting world views. It is ultimately about the future prospects for the world’s coral reefs as well as other ecosystems and life forms on this planet.  
> 
> Regards,
> Steve
> 
> Sent from my iPad
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