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Recently I decided to learn to scuba-dive. With this intention, I visited Havelock Island, one of the pristine islands of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. Nothing could have prepared me for the experience to come.

I expected to see vibrant marine life and reefs rich with biodiversity. However, I was bitterly disappointed. I hadn’t accounted for the harsh realities of climate change.

Most of the coral reefs were bleached, white and dead. There were only a few thriving reefs, around which there was limited marine life.

As my instructor and I dived slowly past the desolate reefs, it was evident that the situation was dire. With a sense of guilt, I wondered: Did my actions unknowingly contribute to this deterioration of marine life?

Experts agree that marine life is dying. With documentaries like Seaspiracy and Chasing Coral, there is a greater awareness that the oceans may be empty of fish life by 2048.

Because of the increasing demands for fish for food, there is overfishing. This has caused several species to become endangered. Some species have declined beyond the level where their numbers can be revived.

Despite having watched these documentaries and having read about marine biodiversity, nothing had prepared me for the disappointment and guilt I experienced during my first dive.

With the regulator in my mouth, it was impossible to speak. “Where are the fish?” I trying to ask my instructor using sign language. She asked me to stay calm and signaled that we’d find them ahead. But 45 minutes later, there was still no sign of significant marine life.

What was supposed to be a thrilling experience for me had turned into an eye-opener, bringing me face to face with the realities of climate change. The truth is the ocean is turning into a graveyard, but we won’t realize it until we see it. 

By the time we ascended to the boat, I was in tears. “It’s all dead down there,” I told my instructor, who I imagined must have had a similar experience.

She remained quiet and let me have my moment. There was a strange silent agreement between us. She then described her experiences.

“I have been diving here for five years; with every successive dive, I notice more death around me. I don’t know where the fish have gone. The reefs are dying. I think diving here every day has sort of normalized that for me.” I observed that she was having her own moment too. 

After that experience, I couldn’t bring myself to dive for a few days. The first dive had left an unpleasant impression on me.

I began researching marine biodiversity, coral, climate change and other initiatives in this field before my second dive. Moreover, I decided to be more pragmatic instead of emotional during my future dives.

While I was on my second dive, I couldn’t stop thinking about everything I wanted to do for marine life. There was no going back to the comfort of blissful ignorance. Climate change is real and happening faster than we imagine. Those of us who have had the privilege of seeing and understanding the grave impact of climate change ought to do something about it. 

Keeping this in mind, after returning from the Andaman Islands, I founded Coral Warriors, India’s first ever diving grant. I wanted Indians to witness for themselves the drastic degradation of marine ecosystems.

To ensure there is collective action about something, it’s necessary to understand realities. As more Indians dive, they will observe first-hand the threats to marine life and biodiversity. It is important for India to have its own passionate climate-change warriors like Sweden’s Greta Thunberg.

Just as someone may not take action about her health until she has a medical scare, I did not feel strongly about protecting marine biodiversity until I dived. Hence I feel that diving can be used as a tool to spread awareness about climate change and engage youth in social initiatives meaningfully.

While many people, especially Indian parents, perceive adventure activities like diving as risky, it is important to see beyond that perception. While there is a risk, it can be easily managed with safe practices. Diving is an interactive and exciting approach to explore our oceans.

With Coral Warriors, I wanted to channel the guilt I felt during my first dive into a productive, proactive and positive initiative. While small changes made by individuals may not be sufficient to move the needle, a collaborative, large-scale awareness and action may help stall the effects of climate change so that future generations experience a better world.

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