Ever wondered what’s floating around in the underwater paradise that is the Great Barrier Reef?
Take the plunge on Thursday from anywhere in the world, as Twitter and Periscope launch the Great Barrier Reef Adventure – an underwater live broadcast that will take you on a guided tour of one of the world’s most beautiful and hidden seven natural wonders.
There have been countless reports about the state of the Great Barrier Reef, but Twitter will take you beyond this to see for yourself what’s happening and what you can do to help protect the reef.
Join Periscope adventurer Mitch Oates (@MitchOates) as he takes the world on two live Periscope broadcasts, featuring marine experts and advocates including Andy Ridley, CEO of Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef and former founder and CEO of Earth hour.
Tune in live on the 13th of July from 11:30AM AEST on Twitter AU (@TwitterAU), (@queensland), and Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef (@AndyRidley). The Great Barrier Reef Adventure is made possible by the Telstra mobile network.
Broadcast One – 12:30PM AEST – Live Reef Dive
Mitch will take a special GoPro and diving mask underwater to show the world the reef like you’ve never seen before! With his specialist scuba mask he will be able to answer questions from viewers, while diving through thecoral ecosystem.
Broadcast Two – 2:00PM AEST – Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef
Founder of Earth Hour, Andy Ridley, is now turning his focus to a new movement – ‘Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef’, a social movement which aims to unite people from around the world to combat the pressures to the planet’s biodiversity, including how to learn and care about the Great Barrier Reef. ‘Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef’ will
be the enabler and communicator of global and local action for the Great Barrier Reef, providing a platform that allows people, innovators, businesses and communities to connect and mobilise as citizens, working together to secure the future of the reef and our planet.
While on the boat out on the reef, Mitch will interview Andy Ridley of Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef about how citizens can protect this stunning natural site for future generations.
The Great Barrier Reef Periscope Adventure is supported by Tourism and Events Queensland.
“The Great Barrier Reef is a living treasure which is ours to protect and share with visitors from around the world,” said Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Leanne Coddington. “It is our most valuable tourism asset with around two million visitors experiencing it every year.
“The Great Barrier Reef continues to offer exceptional visitor experiences and there is so much to see and do along the 2,300km length of the Reef.
“The Great Barrier Reef Periscope Adventure will showcase the underwater wonder and allow people to engage with the Reef in an entirely new way thanks to technology.”
Twitter is already home to a strong community of marine biologists and reef activists. Twitter Australia Head Suzy Nicoletti said that Twitter really will be the place to find out ‘What’s happening’ when it comes to the Great Barrier Reef, in real-time.
Suzy Nicoletti added, “Twitter, like no other platform, has an incredible way of breaking down barriers to participation, and of creating connections between people and places. For this project, the Periscope broadcast becomes a literal underwater periscope, to connect our audience to a truly exotic place.
“The Great Barrier Reef Adventure is just one small way to raise awareness of the reef around the world and inspire everyone, no matter where they are, to preserve this site for future generations to enjoy.”
Visit https://www.periscope.tv and https://twitter.com/twitterau