PADI and SeaLegacy have announced a multiyear partnership to accelerate much-needed ocean protection.
The first initiative of this collaboration kicks off this month, with a grassroots campaign called “The Role of 30×30 in Advancing Ocean Conservation.”
According to a joint statement issued this week by the two groups:
“Scientific research indicates that protecting at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030 (i.e. 30×30) is critical to restore the health of the ocean, reverse existing adverse impacts, increase resilience to climate change, and sustain ecosystem services to humanity. But despite the clear need for increased protection, less than 5% of the global ocean is fully protected in no-take reserves.”
Drew Richardson, CEO of PADI Worldwide, said:
“PADI is fueling a movement of one billion torchbearers to create ocean change, and we are thrilled to partner with like-minded organizations to scale this critical mission. Working with SeaLegacy not only allows us to rapidly grow the global torchbearer community, but also empower us all with meaningful ways to take real, positive action to protect our blue planet — and all life that calls it home.”
Consequently, PADI and SeaLegacy this month will launch a joint 30×30 campaign designed to generate immediate action from a combined global audience that includes millions of ocean enthusiasts, divers, snorkelers and conservationists looking for means to protect what they love.
The goal of the PADI and SeaLegacy 30×30 campaign is to urge world leaders to adopt the 30X30 target, calling for conservation of “at least 30% of sea areas globally through effective, equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas.”
PADI and SeaLegacy will be pushing for an agreement to be reached at the UN Biodiversity COP15 in the third quarter of 2022 in Kunming, China.
According to Cristina Mittermeier, president of SeaLegacy:
“In a time when so many people around the world are concerned about climate change, biodiversity loss, sea level rise, and so much more, we need to channel that anxiety into action. People everywhere are looking for hope and opportunities to have real impact, and one great way to get involved is to sign our petition to have the 30×30 target adopted at the Convention of Biodiversity.”
To sign the petition, go to only.one/ocean30. To learn more about the SeaLegacy and PADI partnership, and ways to get involved, go to padi.com/conservation.
(Featured image by Paul Nicklen via PADI/SeaLegacy)
