Lorsque j'étais enfant, notre école dirigeait un nettoyage annuel. Ce moment était toujours vraiment divertissant. Primo, nous n'allions pas en classe – génial! Deusio – et plus important – nous discutions de la manière dont nous pouvions protéger l'environnement, nous concevions des affiches avec des messages, parlions des actions que nous pourrions entreprendre pour empêcher les ordures de pénétrer dans nos océans. J'avais l'impression que je pouvais contrôler le monde et le rendre meilleur.

Ogni anno, quando ero bambina, la nostra scuola era solita impegnarci in una serie di “cleanup”, e ciò era sempre molto divertente: prima di tutto potevamo “bigiare” legalmente – evvaiiii! Ma, in secondo luogo e ben più importante, discutevamo di come potevamo proteggere l'ambiente, disegnavamo cartelloni con messaggi adatti e parlavamo di come avremmo dovuto agire per bloccare tutta quella sporcizia. Mi sentivo in grado di sfidare il mondo intero... per renderlo un luogo migliore.

When Project AWARE launched #MyOceanChallenge on Endangered Species Day, May 15, I decided to take on the challenge to help support a clean and healthy ocean.

She’d always had a keen sense of adventure. She loved to travel, explore and revel in nature’s beauty. During a backpacking trip through Costa Rica, Barbara Joon enrolled in a PADI Open Water Diver course – just for the fun of it. Little did she know, her experience exploring the underwater world that day would change her life forever.

Today, our partner, the Ocean Conservancy, has launched the 29th International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) report which recognises the efforts of divers across the globe who have united to Dive Against Debris and contribute to the marine debris solution.

Divers’ voices play a key role in advocating for the protection of marine wildlife at risk of extinction. This Endangered Species Day, Project AWARE highlights the actions taken by an individual to protect one of the vulnerable creatures of the deep – the awe-inspiring manta rays.
 

When I was a kid, our school used to run annual cleanups. It was always really fun. Firstly, we got to miss classes - yippee! But secondly - and more importantly - we discussed how we can protect the environment, we designed posters with messages, and talked about actions we could take to stop littering. I felt like I could take on the world and make it a better place.

With Endangered Species Day, May 15, just one week away, we’re reminded of the importance of saving and protecting marine life. Marine debris – the trash from our everyday lives that makes its way from land to sea – damages vital ocean habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds, and poses a serious hazard to endangered marine species.
Marine debris is one of the biggest threats facing our ocean, and the students of the Florida Keys Community College Scuba Club are working together to tackle the challenge head on!