À conversa com os fundadores da Oceanum Liberandum
We joined Oceanum Liberandum in the Ocean Cleanup initiative, which will take place next September 24. This initiative, which aims to bring together more than 700 divers at Sesimbra beach for a unique underwater cleanup, intends to break the Guinness world record with the highest number of divers present in a marine cleanup action.
Plastics pose a great threat to the oceans and in this conversation, we talked to Rúben Galante and Débora Laborde, founders of Oceanum Liberandum, to tell us a little about their ambition and goals of this association.
First of all, thank you so much for this conversation, Rúben and Débora. How did the idea of creating Oceanum Liberandum come about?
Over the years, we have dived at various points around the globe, with whale sharks, dolphins, turtles, and beautiful reefs full of colors and fish. However, we also saw the opposite: white reefs, lifeless, absence of marine life, wrong behaviors by tourists and companies. We also heard stories from people who saw with their own eyes the decline of the ecosystem. For this reason, my wife Débora and I decided that, in an age of social media and knowledge at our fingertips, it was important to do more, and we had to do more. Thus Oceanum Liberandum was born.
What are the main goals of this organization?
Essentially, we want to help preserve the oceans and marine life for present and future generations. Alter harmful behaviors towards these ecosystems. Demystify misconceptions about what the depths of the ocean hold.
Many ecosystems are threatened by climate change. Why did you decide on the oceans?
We saw in the sea the inner peace we were seeking. Being surrounded by marine life, busy in their lives, from the smallest fish to the largest in the world, was something that always touched us. We also encountered a lot of ignorance from people we talked to regarding the sea. We want to change that. We want people to feel this emotion and live this passion we have for these creatures.
Beyond being the founder of Oceanum Liberandum, Rubén is a collaborator at E-Redes, a company within the EDP group. How did EDP and your work at the company influence the creation of this association and the organization of the largest underwater cleanup?
We have seen in EDP a brand that has increasingly been concerned with climate change and the future, as evidenced by the brand change that took place this year. In the process of creating the Association and organizing this event, we had extraordinary support from the team I work with at E-Redes and from my direct management. It was very important to look around and not just be two people with unattainable ideas; we had family and friends fighting with us. All of this is very gratifying.
Débora, what do you hope to achieve with this initiative - In Defense of the Oceans?
This initiative has three major objectives: to raise awareness of the problems the oceans face and, consequently, the issues that will affect all life on the planet. We want to leverage media interest to promote diving in Portugal to the world, which can greatly benefit tourism, especially Sesimbra, which has excellent conditions for this sport. And finally, to try to bring this world record to Portugal, not only because of the significance of a record but also because in the year the Ocean Conference was held, precisely in Portugal, it would be another highlight for our country in ocean protection.
Are more actions like this planned for the future?
We have big plans for the future of the Association, from documentaries to international projects, without forgetting the traditional underwater and beach cleanups. One of the focuses will be trying to tackle the problems upstream, that is, before they reach the oceans. We also want to create educational projects in schools.
We are reaching the end of this conversation: what message would you like to convey to people?
For this event, we want to appeal to all divers to come and help. This record is not for us, it is for you, for the oceans, for Portugal and for all future generations.
Besides this event it is important to realize that the oceans are in decline and this will affect us more and more. Support local associations or others that fight for the protection of the oceans, either as volunteers or with financial means.
EDP supports the initiative "In Defense of the Oceans"
EDP supports the initiative promoted by Oceanum Liberandum, which aims to bring together 700 divers in what is expected to be the largest underwater cleanup in the world. The cleanup will take place on September 24, in Sesimbra, and registrations are ongoing. The protection of the oceans is important to us.
EDP, EDP Renováveis, and Ocean Winds have subscribed to the nine Principles for a Sustainable Ocean, established by the United Nations Global Compact, which provide a framework for sustainable business practices across all sectors and regions.
