Would you be stunned to know that our beautiful oceans are in trouble? Too often, the voice of environmental conservation is easily ignored. Now more than ever, pollution from fishing practices, plastic waste, oil spills, overfishing and other human activities have increased drastically since the industrial revolution which has placed our waters under immense pressure. Rise in ocean temperature, ocean acidification are just some of the issues facing us now as a result of burning fossil fuels. However, these issues don’t need to look quite so daunting - there’s plenty that individuals can do right now to help our seas recover. In this blog post we explore some fantastic ways for scuba divers, environmentalists and anyone interested in caring for marine life well-being can take action with inspired solutions such as a pescatarian diet, making a switch to ocean-positive products, opting for green transport methods to cut emissions and much more!
Understand the Importance of Oceans - Their Impact on Climate Change and How We Can Help
Our oceans and seas are incredibly important to our planet. Not only are they crucial parts of many ecosystems, but they also play a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate. As some of the largest heat absorbers, the oceans can store and slowly release solar energy over many months or years. This means that understanding climate change is intimately connected to understanding the ocean. Both physical and biological processes contribute to storing heat and carbon dioxide in the ocean, which in turn influences the Earth's climate and weather patterns. Additionally, the ocean generates half of the oxygen we need to breathe and absorbs a quarter of all carbon dioxide emissions, making it a key player in our planet's delicate balance. It's clear that protecting and understanding our oceans is crucial for the well-being of our planet.
Adopt Vegetarianism or Environmental Pescatarian Diets - Why Eating Less Red Meat is Better for the Ocean
Livestock farming might not seem like it has a direct impact on the ocean, but the truth is, it plays a significant role in endangering its health. Recent research conducted by the University of Colorado reveals that livestock farming contributes to nearly 15% of total global greenhouse gas emissions, which is higher than all transportation emissions combined. So, does that mean we all need to give up meat? Not necessarily, but a diet change can make a significant difference. Adopting a vegetarian or environmental pescatarian diet can have a positive impact on the environment. With nearly 70% of agricultural land being used for livestock farming, this contributes to deforestation and water pollution, putting the ocean's health at risk. Using sustainable sources of fish is the key. Spearfishing is the most sustainable way of fishing, but many governments, including the UK, give silly quotas for how much fishermen can catch. Sustainable fish farming, catching by using traditional methods such as rod, hook, and line and others reduces the bycatch to zero. So, by becoming an environmental pescatarian can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 50% in comparison to meat-eaters, making it a perfect solution for anyone looking to make their diet more planet-friendly. Some research shows that while vegetarianism and veganism have the lowest and omnivore diet has the highest carbon footprint, environmental pescetarianism provides a carbon footprint not much larger than vegetarianism but provides a greater source of nutrition all together (Scarborough et al 2014) (O’Malley, K., Willits-Smith, A. and Rose, D., 2023)
Choose Champions of Change and use more Eco-Friendly products
In today's world, it's nearly impossible to avoid using plastic in production. However, we can still make a difference by adopting an eco-friendly approach to our purchases. Champions of change come in many forms, one of which is Fourth Element. This company has made tremendous strides in reducing their plastic footprint by eliminating single-use plastic from their packaging. While their goals were delayed by the pandemic, they have made a strong recovery and now identify 45% of their products as made from recycled materials like old carpets, fishing nets, and plastic bottles. Fourth Element's long-term objective is to ensure that 90% of their products are made from at least 30% regenerated materials by 2030 and eventually become zero waste, zero carbon, and zero impact :-). Companies like Scubapro, Aqualung, and Fourth Element also use eco-friendly neoprene called Yulex, which is made from rubber obtained from certified rubber trees rather than limestone-based neoprene. By choosing companies that care about reducing, reusing, and recycling, we can make a big difference in protecting our planet.
Cut Down on Emissions - Going Green with Your Transportation Choices
As our understanding of the damaging effects of emissions on the environment grows, it is becoming increasingly important to take action and make changes in our daily lives. One way we can all make a difference is by considering our transportation choices. Commuting by green forms of transport, such as walking, cycling, or public transportation, can significantly reduce our carbon footprint. Using the car less and bikes more not only benefits the environment, but it can also improve our physical health and save money on fuel costs. So why not challenge yourself to take a greener approach to transportation and make a positive impact on both the planet and your well-being?
We do what we preach and during the year we use green forms of transportation for our commuting or work from home where we can reduce emissions to a minimum. By using green forms of transport we are saving approximately 10 tons of Co2 emissions every year. We invite everyone to join us on this mission and help reduce the pollution levels of our planet! Join our Dive Forever Mission. What Is 'Dive Forever'?
Taking small steps towards reducing your own personal and family's carbon footprint can have a lasting impact on the environment. Making simple changes such as turning off lights when not in use, unplugging electronics when not in use, using energy-efficient lightbulbs, and taking shorter showers can help reduce energy consumption and conserve resources. Additionally, individuals can choose to use products that are responsibly sourced from sustainable sources such as organic cotton or bamboo fabrics instead of synthetic materials for clothing.
Keep Environment Plastic Free - reuse and recycling are no longer enough - we need to stop producing unnecessary plastic
Plastic has become an essential part of modern life, but it's also one of the most pressing environmental issues facing us today. While reusing and recycling may have helped reduce the amount of plastic going into landfill sites, it's no longer enough. We need to take a step back and rethink our relationship with plastic altogether. Did you know that plastic production has increased almost every year since the 1950s? If we continue at this rate, it could account for 20% of all oil production by 2050. This is a daunting thought, but it's not too late to make a change. We need to stop producing unnecessary plastic and start looking for alternatives that are better for our planet. It's not just consumers that need to make the change, supermarkets and supply chains must get on board too. Together, we can ensure a brighter, cleaner future for generations to come. (BBC: By Kelly Oakes, 8th June 202: "What would happen if we stopped using plastic")
We need to start looking for sustainable alternatives to plastic, such as paperboard and bioplastics which are made from renewable resources like cornstarch. Companies have a responsibility to reduce their plastic waste, and there are many initiatives out there that can help get them started. For consumers, the most important thing is to make conscious choices when it comes to what we buy and how we use it. By being mindful of our plastic consumption, we can make a huge difference in the fight against climate change.
Let’s join forces and work together to keep our oceans plastic-free! We can start by spreading awareness about plastic-free initiatives such as beach clean-ups or setting up local campaigns to reduce single-use plastic. We can also support organizations and companies that are making a change in helping the environment, such as Sea Changers and Ghost Fishing UK.
Use sustainable tourism companies
It is shocking how many travel companies and tour operators overlook and commit to sustainable practices. Choose companies that practice what they preach. When it comes to travel, it is important to choose sustainable tourism companies that prioritize conservation and reducing their carbon footprint. While air travel is a major contributor to Co2 emissions, there are companies that are doing their part to offset their impact through carbon-offsetting projects like Climate Care. Additionally, many local destination companies, such as scuba diving centers and hotels, are making a conscious effort to reduce their emissions and make a positive impact on the environment. Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort and Spa in Indonesia or Camel Dive Club in Red Sea are just two such examples, of championing more responsible tourism in their region. By choosing operators that prioritise sustainable practices, you not only enjoy your travels guilt-free but also support efforts in minimizing negative impacts on the environment. And, who knows, you might even come across dedicated shark trips with reduced fees!
Get Involved in Clean-up Initiatives and Raising Awareness - Understanding How You Can Make a Difference
If you're passionate about protecting the environment and want to make a difference, consider getting involved in clean-up initiatives and raising awareness. There are countless organizations out there, like Sea Changers UK and Ghost Fishing, that are dedicated to preserving our planet's oceans and marine life. What's more, you can combine your interests in the environment and scuba diving by volunteering as a diver with Ghost Fishing UK. With extensive training in advanced diving practices and a focus on minimising environmental impact, you can help remove lethal entanglement hazards to marine life and scuba divers from the marine environment. Alternatively, you can join Dive Project Cornwall in educating young people across the UK about the importance of our planet's marine environment and its role in our existence. By joining an organization, you'll be part of something bigger, making a true impact and raising environmental awareness in your local community and beyond.
Join one of many organizations and be active local environmentalists. Join Mike's Dive Store in supporting: -
Ghost Fishing UK | Sea Changers | Dive Project Cornwall
Plant More Trees and Reduce Pollution - How This Helps Our Oceans and Our Planet
Planting more trees is a simple yet effective way to reduce pollution and protect our oceans and planet. Trees absorb harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, which contribute to global warming and the acidification of our oceaAs humans, we are aware that our actions have consequences and it is our responsibility to strive for a sustainable future. Ultimately, collectively we can make a difference to help our oceans. There are many different ways that we can do that such as adopting an environmental pescatarian diet, choosing eco-friendly products from Ocean Positive Fourth Element or reducing emissions by going green with our transportation choices. Going even further, it’s important to stop producing unnecessary plastics keeping the environment plastic free through things like reusing and recycling products and understanding how you can make a difference in initiatives such as cleaning-up beaches or raising awareness on ocean issues. Lastly, planting more trees is also effective in helping combat climate change while improving air quality and reducing pollution in our oceans. Having this knowledge to be able to take action is a powerful tool to help create a better future for our planet’s oceans!
As humans and scuba divers, we are aware that our actions have consequences and it is our responsibility to strive for a sustainable future. Ultimately, collectively we can make a difference to help our oceans. There are many different ways that we can do that such as adopting a vegetarian or environmental pescatarian diet, choosing eco-friendly products from Ocean Positive Fourth Element, or reducing emissions by going green with our transportation choices. Going even further, it’s important to stop producing unnecessary plastics keeping the environment plastic free through things like reusing and recycling products and understanding how you can make a difference in initiatives such as cleaning-up beaches or raising awareness on ocean issues. Lastly, planting more trees is also effective in helping combat climate change while improving air quality and reducing pollution in our oceans. Having this knowledge to be able to take action is a powerful tool to help create a better future for our planet’s oceans!
