PADI® is joining the co-founders of OceanShot for a historic underwater panel on positive ocean change at the Global Citizen Forum, taking place alongside COP28 in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on December 6-7, 2023. The first-of-its-kind underwater panel will dive deep into the importance of coral reef protection and elevate the urgent need for ocean action.

PADI’s CEO and President Drew Richardson will join Dr. Brosnan and Mr. DeJoria of OceanShot on the underwater panel in the hopes of inspiring people around the globe to both explore and save the ocean.

OceanShot is a coral reef ecosystem restoration project co-founded by globally-recognized marine scientist and climate risk expert Dr. Deborah Brosnan and global philanthropist, environmentalist and entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria. The project was launched in partnership with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. The initiative uses technology that mimics the design and shape of natural reefs in order to restore coral and invite back marine life, as well as to protect nearby coastal communities from storm surge and sea level rise.

Furthermore, Dr. Drew Richardson has worked tirelessly to transform PADI’s mission to create a billion ocean TorchbearersTM  to take local action for global impact.

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. This year, OceanShot’s co-founders invited PADI as a partner in its world-class restoration model.

“Coral reefs are among the most ecologically and economically valuable ecosystems that drive our blue economy,” says the PADI CEO and President. “Scuba divers can not only explore beneath the surface and fuel ocean change as Torchbearers, taking part in a range of meaningful diver citizen-science actions driving real results. 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 twelve 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.

To learn more about the first underwater panel at the Global Citizen Forum, click here.

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