Photo Thanks toCindy Lipthay

Today is Blog Action day with the agenda of raising awareness about water. Being largely made of it, having given birth in it and loving to return to the sea as a scuba diver, makes water central to my enjoyment of life.

Water quality issues are not often discussed in my home town. There is regular monitoring of water quality at beaches during the summertime but it seems spurred by tourism concerns more than ecological awareness. The degradation of the seas seems too big to fathom, akin to the national debt, but becoming educated about local issues is satisfying (or frustrating) as you witness the issues unfold.

I support local sustainable fisheries and the Ocean Foundation’s effort to educate children about the ocean’s wonders. May they grow to enjoy the wonders beneath the waves and experience their own body’s connection to our liquid existence.

Here’s one artist’s expression – an underwater museum off Cancun – and his effort to help rescue reefs by drawing crowds (and underwater corals) to his creations: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2010-10-14-cancun-underwater-museum_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip