Are Divers ENVIRONMENTALISTS?

[cdiver2]

:headshake I find a quiet a lot of divers think/say they are environmentalist/conservationist but put a minimum amount of thought/effort into it.

There is a lot of talk about buoyancy control but very little talk about the major culprits. Fertilizer run off from farming/nice green lawns, sewage, overfishing and destructive fishing methods. If we could get these under control the marine environment could easily survive a handful of divers with bad buoyancy.

Every time a conservation post comes up there always a few that point at the damage the airline industry is causing, however I have never seen a post that says anything about ocean going ships. Each ocean going ship puts out approximately seven times more carbon dioxide than a jet liner.

Of course things like this will get a lot of debating BBC News Player - Australia shock at whale video

 

[drbill]

If the Catalina Dive Park (or other protected area) were somehow in danger of losing its protections, as an example...you might see a similar response.

Actually the Casino Point Dive Park has no legal protections, at least under official CDF&G sanction. Most people don't know that. However, it is on the docket to be included when the new MPA's (marine protected areas) are considered for southern California.

The Dive Park does have certain protections. You can't spearfish anywhere in City waters, which it falls within. And we'll chew your head off if you take bugs or other living things from the park.

Of course there are diver groups who work hard for environmental education about the ocean and marine conservation. The Catalina Conservancy Divers (Catalina Conservancy Divers) are one such regional example. Others have mentioned larger groups involved in working towards the health of our oceans.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

I am a conservationist. The term, "environmentalist" is too politically charged, for me. Ditto for the term, "global warming." I prefer the term, "climate change." Maybe it's semantics to many people, but to me, it's not. I do what I do, regardless of political "flavor of the day."

 

[seaducer]

Sadly, the environment should not be a left/right issue. I think for people it isn't, yet it does seem that some political parties care more than others.

I saw one post by someone who cares yet still wants aluminum plants to make tanks and fiberglass factories to build boats. I know that there are some nutcases out there, but I think that no real "environmentalist" is saying otherwise. The mainstream environmental crowd is not setting the arguement in a way that means we can't have those things and a better environment. I think alot of people see the debate that way, but it is a false dichotomy.

I think the dive communtiy is making strides. The largest certification agency has Project AWARE, and has some environmental specialites. I am sure there are others. I also remember some groups at the last BTS, I will look for them specifically in this one coming up. I think though mostly we are a grass roots group. I know there are cleanup dives organised by shops that many divers participate in. While not in the US, I believe that divers were key in establishing the marine park in Bonaire. And our influence in many 3rd world countries is making a difference. People in places like Belize are protecting their reefs and fish so that divers travel and spend money there. I think that directly, indirectly, organised by small shops or large companies we as a group do more than one might think. At least at first glance.

I believe that Surfrider got started by fighting for beach access, and that is still their main focus if I understand it. We as a community haven't faced anything that we need to band together for yet. Once they conquered their beach rights they switch focus to other areas.

 

[seaducer]

Reef Environmental Education Foundation, Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) | Diving That Counts is all about diving and conservation. Another good step forward.

And not to sound like a brown noser, but if divers bought videos from people like Dr. Bill that would expand his sphere of influence. Look at what happened with Steve Irwin. Like him or hate him, he did have a large and positive influence for the environment. Some people are poised in a position that they can do great things with the right amount of resources. By patronizing those people we give them those resources.

Of course he may take that money and buy a fur coat for his latest honey too. Guess we better be carefull...lol

 

[leadweight]

Free market environmentalist, give me a break. That is the same thing as saying if I can make more by destroying the reef than preserving it lets destroy it. Guess what, some interests like cruise ship lines are ready to tear up your dive sites to put in a new pier.

Which divers are environmentalists? Well, the ones with good buoyancy skills and no camera. Its amazing what a camera will do to degrade the skills of an otherwise competent diver. They hold onto coral to get steady for a shot or chase game for video. Heaven help you if you get in their way or say anything about it. Of course, not everyone that takes a camera underwater is guilty, but unfortunately about 90% are, everyone says its not them, and the industry does not do anything about it, as they are making too much money off the ones with the cameras. Free market bla bla bla...Ron Paul is nuts and I live in Texas.

 

[jbmooney]

Every time a conservation post comes up there always a few that point at the damage the airline industry is causing, however I have never seen a post that says anything about ocean going ships. Each ocean going ship puts out approximately seven times more carbon dioxide than a jet liner.

cdiver, I agree with much of your post, but as to the above, if your figures are accurate (I have no reason to doubt you, but haven't checked), please consider:

Airliner emits "x" CO2, and carries 350 passengers (give or take)
Ocean liner emits 7x CO2, and carries 3500 passengers (give or take)

Therefore:

emissions per airline passenger = x/350
emissions per cruise ship passenger = x/500 (roughly 30% less)

That may be the reason you don't hear about it in the same critiques as the airliners get.

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Sadly, the environment should not be a left/right issue. I think for people it isn't, yet it does seem that some political parties care more than others.

I saw one post by someone who cares yet still wants aluminum plants to make tanks and fiberglass factories to build boats. I know that there are some nutcases out there, but I think that no real "environmentalist" is saying otherwise. The mainstream environmental crowd is not setting the arguement in a way that means we can't have those things and a better environment. I think alot of people see the debate that way, but it is a false dichotomy.

I think the dive communtiy is making strides. The largest certification agency has Project AWARE, and has some environmental specialites. I am sure there are others. I also remember some groups at the last BTS, I will look for them specifically in this one coming up. I think though mostly we are a grass roots group. I know there are cleanup dives organised by shops that many divers participate in. While not in the US, I believe that divers were key in establishing the marine park in Bonaire. And our influence in many 3rd world countries is making a difference. People in places like Belize are protecting their reefs and fish so that divers travel and spend money there. I think that directly, indirectly, organised by small shops or large companies we as a group do more than one might think. At least at first glance.

I believe that Surfrider got started by fighting for beach access, and that is still their main focus if I understand it. We as a community haven't faced anything that we need to band together for yet. Once they conquered their beach rights they switch focus to other areas.

"Sadly the environment should not be a left/right issue"
How right you are........I am very Left, a democrat from Louisiana any my state has suffered more harm to its coast line and environment than most other states , however this issue is so polarizing that most people can see only their perspective and have no respect for or allowance for opposing viewpoints........my point is we can have both and must have both,,,,,,the protection of our valuable natural resources and the production of goods and services necessary to enjoy them.......but only if we work together to accomplish mutual objectives .............

 

[jason.elias]

"Sadly the environment should not be a left/right issue"

That is what I find so interesting in this discussion. It seems that almost everyone is in agreement on WHAT TO DO. And yet as far as I can tell, the primary disagreement seems to be on HOW TO NAME IT.

I know that we as human beings are very prone to needing to maintain our coherent world views (I am as guilty as the rest), but aren't we missing the greater issue entirely when we let the oceans and waterways be diminished while we argue over which labels to use to support our own personal perspective...

I cannot believe (and would be disheartened to discover) that the only reason no effective Diver "conservation" movement has ever taken shape is because conservatives, liberals and those in between simply cannot agree on what to call it...

 

[murdrcycle]

I love environments. No matter where I go I usually find that I am in one.