The Good Guys (Dive Pros with Heart)

As a long-time journalist and university professor nearing 60, I'm fairly certain I was Project Laut's oldest intern, but also an example of their open and welcoming nature. Project Laut accepted me and put me to work for the month of June in 2022. As a PADI certified Divemaster, I was less interested in gaining credentials and more concerned about helping out with conservation projects. That happened almost immediately as the amazing Joma Dix, Project Laut founder, and Nomads Diving manager put me and fellow teammates to work, teaching us how to build metal "spiders" for coral restoration and videotaping hawkbill turtles to help map the health and movent of local populations. Joma is that rare combination of a passionate and patient teacher who is also an exemplary diver, instructor, and ocean advocate. In addition to the conservation tasks we completed (unfortunately abbreviated by a work project I had to return to), I also had some of the greatest dives of my life with manta, octopus, and giant frogfish encounters. The scope of Project Laut is small and very focused, but it is that clear vision and intensity that makes it so worthwhile -- and in the long run such an excellent opportunity for all who love the ocean.
One more thing: I helped Joma conduct the rescue diver course and can honestly say, I've never seen a more flawless demonstration of scuba skills and effective dive instruction in all my years diving. (https://www.facebook.com/kevinsites/)
Here's a short blurb I did on Joma for my FB page, which also included seven videos of our various dives.
As a dive instructor, Canadian-born Joma Dix wanted to do more to protect and rejuvenate the marine ecosystem where he now lives and works, the Indonesian island of Nusa Penida.
He began researching coral restoration on the Internet and adopted an approach which used readily accessible materials like metal rebar for construction and began cutting, bending and welding them into "spiders" that can be interlocked in honeycomb like structure on the seabed in which broken coral is re-attached and given a second chance to flourish.
The point here is that Joma didn't just complain about climate change and the substantive problems in his environment. He took initiative and acted, using the digital and tangible resources around him to make his patch of the world a little bit better.
When we grow cynical about the existential threats we face let's be more like Joma (and Elvis) a little less conversation a little more action.