As I embark on my year abroad in Australia, I am not just enticed by the red deserts or wild coastlines. What speaks to me is the sea itself. Surrounded by water on all sides, Australia sits at the edge of one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on Earth. Australia’s coastal waters are home to more than coral reefs and dazzling fish. Beneath the surface, quietly working to sustain life, is something far less glamorous but equally vital: underwater algae.
Often ignored, marine algae play an essential role in our planet’s survival. They produce at least half of the Earth’s oxygen, absorbing vast abundances of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. They form the base of the oceanic food web. In short, no algae, no ocean life. No ocean life, no us.
It’s why Goal 14: Life Below water has become a guideline in how I plan to live, learn and travel during my time abroad. I’ve made the conscious choice to maintain a lifestyle that benefits the health of the oceans. This endeavour starts with cutting down on plastic usage, such as, avoiding single – use bottles, packaging, and synthetic clothing that sheds microfibres. These choices matter because plastics and pollutants end up smothering algae beds and disrupting marine photosynthesis.
Water is life. Clean water and proper sanitation are the very foundations to public health. While in Australia I will be living in shared accommodation, and I plan to be mindful about water use every day. That means taking shorter showers, using eco-friendly products, and choosing water-efficient habits, like turning off the tap while brushing my teeth. Sometimes it’s the smallest habits that can make the greatest difference. After all, Australia is no stranger to drought.
Oceans and water don’t exist in isolation. They are deeply affected by how we care for each other as humans. That is why Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions resonates with me too. As an Anthropology student, I know that effective environmental protection depends on transparent decision- making, and the inclusion of Indigenous voices. In Australia, Aboriginal communities have sustainably managed land and sea for tens of thousands of years. During my time abroad, I want to learn from these communities. Their deep relationship with the Earth, holds a wisdom that we need. Sustainability is not simply about personal choices, but fairness, justice, and collective action.
This year abroad is more than an adventure. It’s my time to deepen my connection to the sea, to stand for what sustains us, and to give back to the green lungs of the ocean – the algae that keep our world alive. A chance to stand for something tide-turning and beyond myself.
