My love for the underwater world is what originally got me involved in this type of work. But through Myanmar Ocean Project, I have found a new source of inspiration: people. Fishing communities across the Myeik Archipelago have welcomed my team and me with open arms and supported our work every step of the way. Seeing how dependent these communities are on a healthy ocean and its plentiful resources to provide food and income has really added another dimension to my work. I want to see these communities thrive. I want them to be able to continue their traditional way of life. And I want them to have the opportunity to show their grandchildren the beauty of the colorful house reefs. This is what drives me most. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing our oceans in 2020? In addition to discarded fishing gear wreaking havoc, climate change poses a major threat to the health and biodiversity of our oceans. I’ve seen with my own eyes how bustling coral gardens turn into underwater graveyards due to coral bleaching. Climate change is a multi-faceted threat that puts millions of lives and livelihoods in Myanmar at risk. Despite degrading ocean ecosystems, climate change also contributes to rising sea levels and increasingly erratic weather patterns that threaten island communities in particular. In Myanmar, millions of people in the coastal communities depend on marine resources to make a living and feed their families. If coral reefs degrade due to rising water temperatures, there will be no marine life left to sustain these families. We need to do everything in our power to tackle climate change and protect those most vulnerable. In the end, these communities have contributed little to the problem but are bearing the brunt. What message would you like everyone to hear on World Oceans Day 2020? Our ocean is life. We need healthy oceans to survive. So, let’s get to work and make sure we treat our ocean like the precious resource that it is. Whether that means demanding climate action from your government representatives, raising awareness about unsustainable fishing practices, or supporting organizations helping to protect marine life, everyone can do their part no matter where they live and who they are. The world has to come together, put aside any differences, and work as a global community to solve the urgent issues of our time. Everyone on this planet has the right to lead a happy, content life no matter where they are from and which family they were born into. Let’s make this a reality!