Protector of the Ocean by Miranda

Protector of the Ocean by Miranda - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

It is odd how certain memories stay with us from a relatively young age. . I have lived in a metropolitan area in North Texas all my life, so the idea of spending time near the ocean was almost a fantastical dream of mine from the start. The sea was always so far away. My interest really sparked from a snorkeling trip to a cove in Kona, Hawaii. I remember submerging my head into the water to snorkel, and being awestruck at what I saw. It was like a whole new world. Under the water, I remember it being so quiet and calm. Colorful fish were swimming amongst the rocks and passing each other without any thought that they were being encroached upon. Vegetation was swaying slowly with the rhythm of the currents. Everything was moving so peacefully. I remember just floating on the surface with my snorkel, just watching everything move with a sort of harmony and seemingly without an awareness of the world we live in. The books and magazines I read as a kid did not compare. The moment I pulled my head out of the water, everything was brighter, louder, and more chaotic. This snorkeling trip, and that moment, is still such a vivid and influential memory. As I grew older, I traveled with my family more and my love for the ocean grew. We have gone on numerous snorkeling trips, a whale watching trip off the coast of Vancouver, petting stingrays off of the coast of the Cayman Islands, and even taken a submarine trip off the south shore of Maui. And as the snorkeling and beach trips began to increase, the fascination grew beyond the colorful fish and cute animals. I wondered about currents and the darkest depths of the ocean – any piece of information I could find. I learned more about the dangers of climate change, pollution, and poaching and commercial fishing among other things. My determination to protect the oceans just grew more. I recognize how trite these childhood memories of my vacations might be to serve as my inspiration for my major, but they really have inspired me to travel and to increase my awareness of the dangers that the ocean and the world face. Finding solutions to the oceans' problems has become my true calling.
I hope to make a difference protecting the oceans through a career in environmental research and policy. I understand with rising calls for sustainability and the prevention of climate change, research and data will help guide policy makers, industries, and people in general to make smart and rational decisions that will preserve our world and balance all of our interests. I recognize that it is a challenge, but I am hopeful there is a way forward for industries to contribute to a global effort of finding this balance.
The ocean does so much for us. It is resilient and delicate. It is the biggest food source, one of the best economical resources, and even vital to militaries around the world. It holds so much history in its waters. Not only is it a resource, but the ocean is a home to so many creatures and a livelihood to so many people. And I want so badly to protect the beautiful world I have gotten the privilege to see first hand. There would be nothing more fulfilling than directing my academic focus on protecting it either through research or policy.