It's odd...

[sabbath999]

I am an environmentalist and conservationist, and my friends and co-workers here in the midwest call me a "tree hugger".

I am just as environmentally aware under water, but none of my new scuba friends want to call me a "reef hugger"...

 

[Doc]

Above water, everyone can see the splinters and bark burn.

Watch out for hugging those reefs and critters, that's what got Steve Irwin croaked, by crikey.

 

[Guba]

Naw, it's a compliment...

Everyone knows you're not supposed to touch the reef.

 

[maged_mmh]

Everyone knows you're not supposed to touch the reef.

couldn't find the "can-o-worms" smilie....

 

[Diver0001]

I am an environmentalist and conservationist, and my friends and co-workers here in the midwest call me a "tree hugger".

I am just as environmentally aware under water, but none of my new scuba friends want to call me a "reef hugger"...

In the 80's I worked for a forestry company and believe me some of the biggest tree huggers were working there. I wasn't really a tree hugger but I wanted to see "responsible" forestry. As a reminder of my values to my collegues (and as a rebel) I put a big poster up in my office that said

"IF IT S.HTS SHOOT IT..... IF IT'S GREEN CHOP IT DOWN" ....

everyone seemed to get the point..... Even from the inside you can make a difference.

I loved the poster from our collegues in Oregon who said

"THERE IS NO MORE TOILET PAPER..... WIPE YOUR A.SS WITH A SPOTTED OWL".....

A bit like what I was trying to say but from the other side of the fence. The fact is, inside the industry is where the best thinking about these issues takes place. It's too bad that environmentalists "fight" the industry because their best friends are already working there.... they just have to connect.

R..

 

[NudeDiver]

I am just as environmentally aware under water, but none of my new scuba friends want to call me a "reef hugger"...

Maybe they know you're not supposed to touch the reef.

 

[eponym]

Have you seen the "earth first" bumper stickers? I mean the ones that say "we'll log (mine / drill / etc.) the other planets later."

Maybe we could use one for divers . . .

I'm thinking even the least politically correct dive shops I've known might appreciate the sentiment.

-Bryan

PS. Post's title derives from movie Signs.

 

[BKP]

Good point, this thread...
Got into a heated debate here a while ago, for perhaps being *too* environmentally reef-conscious... (never thought of myself as a reef-hugger)... Prefer reef-cohabitor)

 

[don Francisco]

It's a matter of perspective and balance. Maybe other divers would call you a reef hugger if you were to propose the notion that since divers are harmful to the reef, diving should be severely restricted or banned.

 

[Ed L.]

Yeah all these eniviromentalists driving there hybrids and not giving a thought about what will become of the heavy metal batteries when there life span is up. Not to mention the thousand of slaughtered bugs all over their windshields and grills. Yet they'll swerve and get into an accident to avoid a squirell etc.