Dr. Yolanda Lee Waters
Dr. Yolanda Lee Waters
Let's talk about climate change
Founder & CEO, Divers for Climate
Marine Scientist, University of QLD
Storyteller, Ocean Culture Life
Youth Ambassador, Ocean Uprise
About me
Hi there! I’m Yolanda, a dive instructor turned marine social scientist turned full-time climate change communicator. My journey began in 2018, living the dream as an underwater photographer and divemaster on the Great Barrier Reef. While I was having the time of my life, I found myself confronted by hundreds of tourists every day asking tough questions about climate change and the health of the reef—questions I felt completely unprepared to answer. I knew some things about coral bleaching and warming ocean temperatures, but I lacked the tools, knowledge, and confidence to talk about climate change, especially with people on holiday.
Fast forward to today, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible people from around the world, completing a PhD in Marine Social Science and bringing Divers for Climate, a community-led non-profit, into the world - all to figure out not only how to talk about climate change more effectively, but how to talk about climate action. I hope to be able to pass on everything that I have learned and to continue learning as we make our way through this critical decade.
With individuals and communities playing a critical role in protecting our oceans from climate impacts, I believe that the most powerful way I can make a difference is by using my research and communication skills to inform evidence-based campaign strategies, tell powerful stories, and contribute to building strong communities across a range of cultural contexts.
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Research & Publications
Current projects
"What Can I Do?" Program, Coral Watch
Community Reef Protection Toolkit, Great Barrier Reef Foundation
Place, Nature, and Society Research Lab, The University of Queensland
Scientific publications
Waters et al. 2024. Opportunities for meaningful climate change communication and engagement in vulnerable nature settings. People and Nature, 00: 1-18.
Waters et al. 2024. The role of iconic places, collective efficacy and negative emotions in climate change communication. Environmental Science and Policy, 151.
Waters et al. 2023. Plastic action or distraction? Plastic messaging influences engagement with climate change in both general and engaged audiences. Marine Policy, 152.
Waters, 2022. Establishing a baseline decision context for restoring the Great Barrier Reef. Marine Policy, 141.
Waters, Y (2024). Does the Great Barrier Reef inspire action? An iconic place-based approach to strengthening public engagement with climate change. PhD Thesis, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland. https://doi.org/10.14264/3935582
Press, op-eds & blogs
Talking climate doesn’t ruin Great Barrier Reef tourism. Cosmos Magazine.
Concern for the Great Barrier Reef can inspire action – but the way we talk about it matters. The Conversation.
Plastic action or distraction? As climate change bears down, calls to reduce plastic pollution are not wasted. The Conversation.
Why we should be worried about this latest bleaching event on our Great Barrier Reef. Australian Marine Conservation Society.
Can Sculptures Help Coral Reefs Bounce Back? Hakai Magazine, August,
Embracing empathy to save the Great Barrier Reef. Conservation Optimism.
How to help save the ocean. Sustain the Mag.
Why reef interventions are not enough. Eureka Street.
Public speaking, media & workshops
If I am not busy conducting research or being underwater, I’m probably somewhere talking about it! I am extremely passionate about effective climate change communication and outreach and believe that science should be accessible to all. If you would like to invite me to speak, moderate a panel, collaborate on social media, or request a climate change communication workshop or media spokesperson - send me a message!
Previous speaking examples
Beyond the wonder and the grief - How can we all come together to protect the Great Barrier Reef? Brisbane Climate Talk, German Embassy, 2024.
How do people respond to complex reef messages? Great Barrier Reef Social Science Symposium, 2023.
Talking about climate change on the Great Barrier Reef, Reef Check Coast to Coral Seminar Series, 2023.
Raising Awareness for Coral Reefs, UQ CBCS Seminar, November 2022.
Raising Awareness for Coral Reefs – What does it mean and how do we make sure it leads to action? Coral Reef Research Hub Masterclass, October, 2022.
Divers for Climate World Oceans Week Series, June 2022.
Australian Coral Reef Society “Reef Matters” seminar, March 2022.
Great Barrier Reef Social Science Symposium, October 2021.
Coral Reef Futures Forum, Ocean Geographic, June 2021.
Plastic distraction or pathway to action? ABC Radio QLD, August 2022.
3-minute-thesis “Creating reef-climate citizens, QUT Runner-up, August 2021
“The cost of climate delay“, Australian Conservation Foundation TV ad, April 2022
Climate Action for Ocean Conservation, Girls that Scuba, 2020
Resources
How to Talk About Climate Change and the Great Barrier Reef
Climate change is the number one threat to the Great Barrier Reef. However, talking about climate change in a way that motivates action can be tricky. Here are some quick facts and tips to help community Reef protection champions navigate those reef–climate conversations.
Inspiring Climate Action for the Great Barrier Reef
This factsheet presents a series of evidence-backed messages that are more likely to motivate individuals and communities to take meaningful climate action for the Great Barrier Reef.
Taking Individual and Community Climate Action for the Reef
This factsheet combines insights from experts to provide some key things to consider on targeting impactful actions that individuals and communities can take to protect the Great Barrier Reef from the effects of climate change.
Divers for Climate
Divers for Climate is a community-led initiative that aims to normalize climate conversations and motivate climate action throughout the global dive community and beyond. We know how passionate divers are about the ocean, and we know that if given the right tools and support, the dive community could drive the climate movement forward significantly and contribute to emissions reductions around the world.
