NEW POLLING from Divers for Climate, a growing non-profit organisation, reveals over 91 per cent of divers have personally felt the impacts of climate change, with 90 per cent supporting more urgent action from the government. Of the 1,000 divers surveyed, over half who experience climate impacts say it strongly affects their mental health.
With record-breaking ocean temperatures and signs of heat stress appearing across the country, divers are witnessing these impacts firsthand - from widespread coral bleaching on Ningaloo Reef to early warning signals on the northern Great Barrier Reef - and their businesses, wellbeing and livelihoods are at stake.
"Divers, snorkelers, and marine tourism operators see the magic of our oceans every day, but we also see them changing before our eyes which can be hard to watch," said Dr. Yolanda Waters, CEO of Divers for Climate.
"We are frontline witnesses to climate change."
To coincide with the polling, Divers for Climate this week is launching the I'm a Diver for Climate campaign, which has already gained hundreds of signatures from divers and support from several tourism businesses and organisations. The campaign calls for public commitments from election candidates to protect our oceans and the dive tourism industry from climate impacts.
Climate action has been largely absent from election campaigns. That's why divers are calling on candidates to see the changes happening underwater for themselves and commit to stronger climate policies that protect our marine ecosystems.
"I'd love decision makers to experience a fraction of what we are seeing, it feels difficult to personally know what actions to take, so I hope it could inspire them to drive greater climate action for our oceans," said Cairns dive instructor Becky Evers.
Quinn Ross-Passi, local dive instructor, has worked on the reefs off Cairns and the Torres Strait for six years and said: "This year, and especially the last couple of weeks with all the rain and cyclones coming through, I've noticed a pretty serious impact on overall reef health. This is absolutely heartbreaking to see. Even though I've seen the impacts of climate change on these reefs many times over the years, it never gets easier."
Riccardo Losciale, dive guide and marine ecologist in Exmouth said: "I'm shocked and deeply worried by the extent of the bleaching event unfolding on the Ningaloo Reef, which might have severe impacts on several species living within the reef as well as the economy of Exmouth which is highly dependent on marine tourism."
Over 100 divers and snorkelers took action at the Australian-first Snorkel-Out for Climate at Shelly Beach on Sydney's northern beaches in March, to draw attention to the community's concerns over climate in-action.
"It was an incredible demonstration of how much our community cares," said Dr. Waters.
"Our message is simple - we love our oceans, and we're voting for leaders who will protect them."
Media opportunities include national survey results, campaign video, high-quality underwater footage and images (including heat stress), and interviews with Dr. Yolanda Waters and community members who have witnessed climate impacts firsthand.
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