In my Might weblog, I mentioned how Ocean Torchbearer citizen scientists concerned within the PADI AWARE Dive Towards Particles® program are more likely to be pivotal to the success of a global treaty addressing plastic air pollution.
Why Citizen Science Diving Is Essential
As you seemingly know, “citizen science” is when lay individuals voluntarily workforce with scientists in analysis initiatives. Citizen science has been round for greater than 100 years, although the time period itself appears to be a lot newer. As reported by Frontiers in Local weather, citizen science is more and more important as a result of public participation makes analysis doable that in any other case wouldn’t be because of value and scale. A paper within the Marine Air pollution Bulletin in March 2024 is a good instance of what’s doable: South Pacific marine particles was analyzed to find out the distribution, sort and density of regional particles – 20 tons of it! The analysis, findings and urged actions primarily based on them would have been unattainable with out the efforts of divers such as you and me.
Whereas PADI AWARE Dive Towards Particles is among the most seen and profitable citizen science applications, there are a whole bunch such applications. Within the US, for instance, in 2023 greater than 4700 volunteers offered greater than 36,000 hours of help to NOAA (Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) scientists by amassing information on marine sanctuaries, marine mammals, particles, stormwater, lionfish and extra.
Citizen Science Diving Is Correct
Though profitable surface-based citizen science had been round for fairly awhile, when citizen science diving first originated, some researchers questioned whether or not leisure divers might present scientifically helpful information – an affordable concern. Since then, the accuracy of citizen science diving has been studied, with the info gathered by skilled volunteers discovered to be pretty much as good as that gathered by formally certified scientists. Discover considered one of these research right here.
Far From Tedious or Boring
That serving to science examine, restore and defend the oceans is sufficient cause to be a citizen science diver, however I’ll allow you to in on a secret – it’s an awesome cause to develop and use your dive expertise as a result of it offers your dives extra journey and objective. It’s one thing you place your coronary heart into. As physicist Stephen Hawking put it, “Science just isn’t solely a disciple of cause however, additionally, considered one of romance and keenness.”
You’ll be able to make each dive a Dive Towards Particles® survey dive as a begin, however that’s simply the beginning. Nearly wherever you go, science can use your assist: coral restoration, aquatic life surveys, archeological mapping, invasive species hunts, ghost internet removing and extra. Discover some recommendations right here, however an awesome place to start out is to ask your native PADI Dive Heart or Resort concerning the citizen science initiatives they’re concerned with. In the event that they’re a PADI Eco Heart, they’ll be engaged in Undertake the Blue, and that’s an open door to a number of citizen science alternatives.
No matter you select to do, make citizen science a daily a part of your diving – it not solely makes a distinction, it’s a good way to hunt journey and save the ocean.
