PADI is joining OceanShot co-founders for the historic underwater panel on positive ocean change at the Global Citizen Forum, which is taking place alongside COP28 in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE 6-7 December 2023.
OceanShot is a coral reef ecosystem restoration project co-founded by globally-recognised marine scientist and climate risk expert Dr Deborah Brosnan, and global philanthropist, environmentalist and entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria, launched in partnership with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
The initiative uses technology that mimics the design and shape of natural reefs to restore coral and invite back marine life, as well as protect nearby coastal communities from storm surge and sea level rise.
OceanShot’s first living-lab hub, designed to be a place where innovators can test their technologies aimed at environmental protection, was deployed in Antigua and Barbuda. In June 2021, the Global Citizen Forum adopted OceanShot as one of its supported flagship initiatives, and this year, OceanShot’s co-founders invited PADI as a partner in its world-class restoration model.
PADI’s CEO and President Drew Richardson will join Dr Brosnan and Mr DeJoria at the Global Citizen Forum’s first-ever underwater panel to purposefully descend beneath the surface in the hopes of calling people around the globe to positive ocean action and inspiring them to both explore and save the ocean.
Dr Richardson is one of the most influential people in scuba diving and has transformed PADI’s mission to create a billion ocean Torchbearers, who are taking local action for global impact and united by a shared vision to achieve balance between humanity and the ocean.
“Coral reefs are among the most ecologically and economically valuable ecosystems that drive our blue economy,” says Dr Richardson. “Scuba divers can explore beneath the surface and fuel ocean change as Torchbearers, taking part in a range of meaningful diver citizen-science actions driving real results. And as global citizens, we have the opportunity to be changemakers that inspire more innovative and positive solutions for the health of coral reefs, the ocean and our shared blue planet.”
“We’re doing this work because our oceans need us and we need them,” says Dr Brosnan. “Humans have mapped the human genome, landed astronauts on the moon, and in less than 12 months developed a viable vaccine to combat a global pandemic. It is time to focus the same attention on our oceans with bold, ambitious, and achievable initiatives.”
PADI recently conducted a special underwater training session with Dr Richardson, Dr Brosnan and Mr DeJoria in preparation for the upcoming underwater panel in December, where they will share their knowledge and passion for ocean conservation with the world.
