The ocean raised us.
Every breath we take comes from it. It governs our weather, our food systems, our stories. Without it, life as we know it collapses – quietly, then all at once. That’s not poetry. That’s science.
This summer, I’m travelling to Sri Lanka with Travelteer’s Marine Wildlife and Conservation programme (travelteer.co.uk/programmes/marine-wildlife-conservation). An initiative where efforts aren’t theoretical – they’re measurable:
– 2,300+ turtles released
– 400 mangrove trees planted
– 3.5tonnes of plastic removed
These aren’t just numbers. They’re stories. And I am about to be part of that story.
As a Biological Sciences graduate and current medical student, I’ve always been drawn to the intricate systems that sustain life – whether it’s the ecosystem of a mangrove forest or the complexity of the human body. My academic path reflects a deep commitment to both planetary and human health.
Marine sustainability has taught me that environmental wellbeing and public health are fundamentally intertwined. This placement lets me to contribute directly to UN-SDGs 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land) – not as an observer, but as someone who believes both wildlife and people deserve a thriving future.
I don’t take this trip lightly. Travel, especially air travel, has a cost. To reduce my footprint, I’ve:
– Chosen the lowest-emission flight available using Google Flights’ CO₂ comparison tool
– Offset my carbon through Ecologi, supporting reforestation
– Committed to plastic-free, reusable items
– Used the HappyCow app (plant-based eating)
– Used Too Good To Go to reduce waste
– Shared accommodation and shop locally (Goal 11, Goal 12)
But sustainability isn’t just about actions – it’s about people.
Before even boarding the plane, I’ve raised £300+ for Travelteer Impact (1168026), supporting ethical impact from Nepal to Morocco. Funds go into education, conservation and community-led development – buidling capacity, creating jobs and protecting ecosystems. I made fundraising personal: sharing stories behind the cause, engaging others in conversations and showing how global change begins in small, local actions.
This supports Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) – because environmental justice must be social justice, too.
In Sri Lanka, I’ll work with local schools and communities, help run turtle hatchery education and beach cleanups, and learn from those whose lives are interwoven with the sea. This aligns with Goal 4: Quality Education, and I’ll bring these stories home to inspire others.
I’m passionate about storytelling. I’ve created online videos – including from The Gambia – highlighting sustainable travel, local food, and community-led activities. I’ll continue this in Sri Lanka, sharing updates and eco-travel tips – helping others reframe travel not as escape, but as stewardship.
We can’t undo the damage alone. But we can become a chain reaction – one turtle, one tree, one conversation at a time.
This placement isn’t just travel. It’s testimony. To the ocean that gave us life.
To the idea that – if we act now – it might just live.
