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Earth Day 1970 - 2022  
Inspiring Hope; What if we Used
 our Fear to Fight for Something Greater?
​
By: Autumn Homer, Shark Team One

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      ​                               “In nature, nothing exists alone.”  - Rachel Carson, 1962

​We are currently experiencing a time where we are encouraged to be alone, something that is almost unnatural for our species. Humans are social beings, and solitary confinement is not something that comes easy for most of us. It is because of this need for connection that we are witnessing beautiful moments of human affinity. People singing on balconies to one another, drive through parades for people’s birthdays, the comedic relief of memes through social media, and virtual time spent with loved ones. People have found diverse ways to support one another in a time of crisis, something that bonds us together and keeps our society moving forward. 

Working in conservation we are always surrounded by messages like, “save our planet”, “protect endangered species”, “conserve fish populations to sustain the health of our oceans”, and to “keep our waters clean, for the health of wildlife and ourselves”. The consequences of not complying to these mantras always seemed far away, something that could happen in the future, but for the time being our day to day lives remained the same. Now, the entire world is feeling the effects of something larger than ourselves. Something that currently has a solution that is unknown. With the COVID-19 pandemic, I wonder if what we are experiencing is anything like what endangered species go through. The animals whose habitats are being diminished daily like the sumatran orangutan and tiger. Or the wildlife who are affected by the fishing industry like the sea turtle or whale shark. Animals whose lives have been dramatically affected by the change in the environment around them. 
 
In our case, as humans experiencing a worldwide pandemic, where the cure is unknown, we have chosen to come together, to promise to stay apart. Our vow to social distance is having a significant impact on the number of lives saved. While this isn’t a cure, it is still a movement that is making a difference for the better. 

In times like these, our species is amazing at discovering solutions and finding ways to survive. Seeing the positive effects of the world’s collective efforts to minimize the number of people affected by Covid-19, gives me hope for the future to protect our planet to ensure we have one. As we approach the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we can see the progress our society has made, and the progress we are continuing to make to ensure there is a healthy future for all species. Earth Day Network president Kathleen Rogers states, “We find ourselves today in a world facing global threats that demand a unified global response. For Earth Day 2020, we will build a new generation of environmentalist activists, engaging millions of people worldwide.” [1]

Earth Day is a celebration of organizations coming together from all over the world, spreading awareness and pushing for change. Shark Team One is focusing on the Endangered Whale Shark Conservation Program. This program studies whale shark behavior, ecology and the consequences of human and environmental impacts on a seasonal whale shark aggregation off the Yucatan Peninsula. The program seeks to reduce shark injury, mortality, human-shark conflict and provide scientific discovery for endangered whale sharks in all of their range. [2]
 
Unlike us, whale sharks can be solitary creatures who may enjoy their time alone, but the survival of their species relies on people coming together to create sustainable solutions. Supported by the Disney Conservation Fund, in their 25th year of helping nonprofit organizations to save wildlife, inspire action and protect the
planet, [3] Shark Team One’s program is working with communities of the Yucatan Peninsula to protect one of the last remaining aggregations of endangered whale sharks by eliminating human impacts, creating marine wildlife corridors and building sustainable ecotourism and artisanal fishing communities. Through advocacy, citizen science and emphasizing climate resilience, they are increasing protection for whale sharks in this region by helping local stakeholders protect their valuable natural resources. [2] Joining forces with like-minded organizations, and educating people within communities to want to make a difference for themselves has been one of their keys to success.
​ 
In nature, and in life nothing exists on its own. We are all intrinsically connected. Our individual actions all affect one another. From making the decision to physically distance ourselves, while still staying emotionally connected, to deciding what type of food to eat or what car to drive, what we do has an effect. In times driven by fear and the unknown, people come together, they find solutions. So imagine what could happen if we all came together to find solutions to the problems that may not be so immediate? If we were able to prevent something from happening, rather than being forced to react to it. What drives people to commit to taking action for something? I believe it is a combination of two things, fear and hope. Fear is something that can motivate us, or something that can hold us back. And hope is something that allows us to look forward to a future.  Let us use our fear to do more, to fight for something greater, and give us hope for a promising tomorrow.
                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                - Autumn Homer

The Endangered Whale Shark Conservation Program in photos!

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​About the author: Autumn Homer is a recent graduate from Stetson University, where she majored in Environmental Studies and Communications with a minor in psychology. She has always had a passion for animals and you can find her volunteering at one rescue organization or another. She has worked at Clearwater Marine Aquarium and spends her spare time reading, writing, or out on the water. Autumn is one of our conservation and ecology writers!


Footnotes & Additional Information for this Article:
[1] https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020
https://www.earthday.org/jane-goodall-reminds-us-of-love-and-compassion-amid-the-coronavirus-pandemic
[2] https://www.sharkteamone.org/endangered-whale-shark-conservation-program.html
[3] https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-conservation
​

​Photo Credits for this Page:
© Shark Team One (Endangered Whale Shark Conservation Program photos)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files (protester in gas mask, 1970)
Life Magazine (Rachel Carson talking with children in the woods by her home. All rights reserved © 1962 Alfred Eisenstaedt (Time & Life Pictures)
U.S. postal stamp circa 1970, Wikimedia Commons 


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