DIVE LOG AUSTRALASIA FEB 2025 ISSUE 410

can do, how they can do it and how it will make a difference.

on a climate communication program specific to divers and dive operators.

Q: When and why did you start Divers for Climate? During the lockdowns, I posted a video online talking about climate action and the ocean. The video ended up resonating with enough people to form an online group where we hosted webinars, interviews and discussions. It wasn’t until last year when a colleague highlighted the dive community’s bigger potential influence. This inspired us to transition from an online group to a nonprofit. Divers for Climate focuses on empowering the diving community to engage in meaningful climate conversations. Our mission is to bring dive stories to the surface and shift the narrative around climate change and the ocean. The only time people ever talk about climate change in the ocean is when the reef bleaches and that’s not always good for tourism. What we’d like to see is a narrative shift from “the reef is dying” to a more personal conversation from the perspective of divers from all marine environments. Getting those stories across to politicians and the public is so important for action. We’d also like to help divers have these conversations and are working

Q: What advice would you give a young person looking into a career in diving? There’s often a misconception that pursuing a career in marine conservation requires being a marine scientist but that’s far from true. I wish I had realized that earlier. Here’s the thing: many of the challenges facing our oceans, like climate change, aren’t just scientific problems; they’re people problems, rooted in communication, political will and how we connect with one another. This means there’s a huge need for diverse skills. We need artists, storytellers, communicators, event organizers— people who can create spaces for dialogue and bridge the gap between science and action. A tool I would love to share is the Climate Venn Diagram by Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, which asks three key questions:

What are you good at? What brings you joy? What climate solutions need doing?

The overlap of these questions helps identify your unique contribution to the bigger movement. I’d really encourage anyone going into this field to think beyond marine science. Science is cool, but you know what’s cooler? Action is cool! If we can make that happen in different and wonderful ways. I think that’s pretty special.

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