[PRESS RELEASE]

Rancho Santa Margarita, California – 19 April 2017 – With Earth Day just a few days away, PADI® is building on its longstanding history of conservation by joining forces to further support two of its Four Pillars of Change: Ocean Health and Marine Animal Protection. While continuing to support Project AWARE® in its efforts to reduce marine debris and protect endangered sharks and rays, PADI is also supporting initiatives with additional organizations that are making a positive impact on the ocean planet, including the United Nations Development Programme and Mission Blue™.

Healthy Ocean, Healthy Planet
Aligning with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, PADI Regional Headquarters, Members and divers around the world can increase efforts to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. Leading up to World’s Oceans Day on 8 June 2017, PADI will be joining in the #SaveOurOcean dialog initiated by the United Nations Development Programme to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14. Through PADI communication channels, PADI Members and divers will be engaged in conversations to increase awareness about the importance of ocean health and its effect on the bigger sustainability agenda to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.

PADI is also working with Mission BlueTM to support its efforts to protect marine areas. Sharing stories of Hope Spots – a term for special places critical to ocean health, dubbed by Dr. Sylvia Earle and Mission Blue – help identify areas that are precursors for marine protected areas. Nominating Hope Spots provides an opportunity for the PADI family and the dive industry to help reach the goal set forth by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress to protect 30 percent of our world’s oceans by 2030. In the coming months, the PADI community will share in the effort to protect more of our world’s waters by joining forces in recognizing important marine areas.

One Dive at a Time
With PADI support, Project AWARE continues its vital work to protect our ocean planet – one dive at a time. From collective action in local communities to large-scale change at the policy level, Project AWARE partners with PADI Members and divers to reduce the amount of marine debris entering our ocean to protecting the world’s most threatened species of sharks and rays. Diver support is imperative for the oceans’ future. PADI Divers are encouraged to dive into action and show their support through direct donations to Project AWARE, as well as in grassroots efforts including Dive Against Debris® and Adopt a Dive SiteTM. All dive professionals are also reminded to take advantage of Project AWARE’s 10 Tips for Divers Action Kit.

While in the early stages of building its new corporate social responsibility program, PADI is committed to activating its members and divers in support of global efforts to improve the future of the oceans under the structure of Four Pillars of Change. By taking action to reduce marine debris, establish more marine protected areas and protect marine animals, together we can increase biodiversity and work toward sustainable management of the oceans and their resources. While this topic is top of mind on Earth Day, on 22 April 2017, PADI is committed to bringing this conversation to the forefront year-round. PADI Members and divers are driving change every day and can share their stories to inspire others to do the same. If you have a story you want to share, email fourpillarsofchange@padi.com.