Diving Community: Project AWARE at school
There has been a lot of attention lately on climate change; fossil fuels‚ the greenhouse effect‚ plastics ending up at sea. The impacts these have on the earth’s wellbeing‚ and especially the oceans and sea’s wellbeing‚ is devastating. Diving in various parts of the world and here in Italy‚ we have actually seen the changes: pollution‚ marvelous sea creatures sadly feeding on plastics‚ changes in underwater habitats with dramatic declines of species and invasions of new species due to rising water temperatures.
“For years we thought that the ocean’s were so vast and it’s inhabitants so infinitely numerous‚ that nothing we could do‚ could ever have an effect upon them. But now we know‚ that was wrong…” Sir David Attenborough
Though most of us know a lot more now about the terrifying damage we have provoked to the oceans and seas‚ it remains sad to see how many people are still underestimating or are even completely unaware of the problem. We are currently at the critical point in which we have to take action if we still want to be able to safe the world’s natural beauties.
We believe that awareness and education are of crucial importance‚ since recognizing the problem is the first step into finding a solution. But even more‚ we believe that today’s children can be the major driving force in helping us to make a chance.
“Our house is on fire. I am here to say‚ our house is on fire.” Greta Thunberg
As divers‚ as lovers of the oceans and seas‚ we feel we can’t just look at it all happen and do nothing. Therefore‚ even if just a tiny brick in an enormous wall that needs to be build‚ we wanted to take our small action in making a change.
Therefore‚ last year we adhered to the Scuola d’Amare project‚ a project founded by Fabio Figurella‚ regional PADI manager of southern Italy. With this project diving instructors and dive centers are engaged to go to schools to teach about environmental problems worldwide and with a focus on the threats that Mediterranean sea is subject to.
The natural heritage of our Mediterranean sea is of priceless value‚ with unique natural habitats‚ thousands of vegetal species and numerous animal species. To protect this natural heritage‚ we think that is essential that every citizen always and constantly operates according to “eco sustainability”. To make this possible‚ it is necessary to attract‚ and amplify‚ the attention of society towards these issues that regard the marine environments. The creation of a new sense of civilization‚ where there is an understanding of the value for the sea and oceans‚ respect and an elevated sense of individual responsibility‚ can be created by starting off with an efficient and fun education for the future generations concerning the environment‚ using a sport that is most connected to the protection of the undersea environment: diving.
So‚ this year‚ in collaboration with the school “Alcide de Gasperi” of Capaci‚ we went back to school! The many children of 8-11 years we taught were enthusiastic and very interested in the subject‚ which gave us of course a great feeling of satisfaction. But what surprised me was how much these kids taught us… I wanted to just point out a few things they made us really think about:
During a slide of our presentation in which life entangled marine animals were shown‚ a girl started to cry: “It is terrible that they have to suffer simply because of our negligence.”
At the end of one of our presentations a boy had something to say: “In summer we always go to the beach with my mom and dad and we bring along nice foods and drinks. One time‚ I collected all garbage in a plastic bag‚ because at school they taught me not to pollute the beaches and natural environments. But at the end of the day when I wanted to take the garbage bag with me to throw away somewhere my dad told me to leave it on the beach. He said that it’s a municipal job to clean up‚ that’s what he pays taxes for. I felt bad about it‚ but we left the plastic garbage bag there on the beach.”
“I often go out to sea by boat in summer‚ which is great! I go fishing with my dad and a friend. But a lot of times my dad’s friend who smokes‚ throws his cigarettes at sea and I’m not really sure what to do‚ because he’s and adult.”
“When my mom goes to the supermarket‚ she always brings her own bags‚ because she taught me that we should try not to use plastic bags. But when buying vegetables and fruit and she hands over the bags to the vendor‚ he always looks at her very strangely. Last time‚ when we walked away afterwards‚ he started laughing with another girl that works at the supermarket and I know that it is because they are making fun of my mother.”
One thing I will never forget‚ was how at the end of our presentation‚ one girl came up to me. I thought she had a question and I bent down a little‚ to try and hear her better in the chaos of the children’s noise. Instead of a question‚ I got a kiss on my cheek and a very touching “Thank you!”‚ after which she turned around and followed the rest of the class outside the room.
We have a saying in Dutch “Jong geleerd is oud gedaan”‚ which translated means “Learned young is done old”‚ or “what has been learned when young‚ will be put into practice as old”. Luckily‚ we see that most children care a lot about the subject of environmental problems and the protection of our seas. Some children even already know a lot about this subject‚ also thanks to some great teachers that we had the pleasure to meet and some are far more aware and caring about this subject than most adults. Together with them‚ we are hoping for a better future for our blue planet!
The role of divers in protecting the marine environment is fundamental. Project Aware unites divers and sea enthusiasts to make a difference. Follow an AWARE diving course with us:
Sign up for the PADI Project AWARE Specialist course; this diving course helps divers understand the problems the seas and oceans are facing and in an interactive way makes us think about what we‚ divers and not‚ in our own small way can do.
The PADI AWARE Coral Reef Conservation specialty diving course will give you the opportunity to learn about the fascinating world of coral habitats‚ also teaching you how to protect them.
Do you want to make a difference in a more active way‚ starting right away? Sign up for the AWARE Dive Against Debris specialty PADI course‚ through which you will learn to recognize and safely remove marine litter during your dives.
Together we can make a difference! One dive at a time. Join us and let';;;;;;;;;;s protect the ocean planet and our Mediterranean Sea!
