Climate change needs no introduction, and with the murmurs of another Day Zero in the Western Cape, it has been thrust back into daily conversation. Global warming is leading to increased temperatures globally, and in 2019 the World Meteorological Organisation found that there was a 1.1℃ increase in temperature compared to preindustrial levels globally.
Daily Maverick's The Gathering: Earth Edition was a climate-focused conference that brought together scientists, economists, business leaders, policymakers and activists to discuss practical solutions to the environmental, energy and economic crises South Africa faces.
Overall, the week served as a reminder of the strength of Africa, honoured what Africa as a continent has achieved, and opened up a space for education about Africa by voices from Africa.
The diving industry is a community like any other and can therefore fall into similar patterns of discrimination. As Gafner explains, “most cases of queerphobia I have experienced and witnessed in the diving community have been as a result of lack of education and exposure to openly LGBTQIA+ people.”