Team Canada Beach Volleyball Star pledges to #GoGreenForTheBigBlue!

Helping the tourism industry #GoGreenForTheBigBlue-4.png

We are excited to announce our first Sea Going Green Ambassador !

Meet Melissa Humana-Paredes , she is a professional beach volleyball player for Team Canada  who has taken the pledge to #GoGreenForTheBigBlue !

Melissa will be spreading awareness about the need and importance of sustainable tourism globally throughout the year, notably at the Commonwealth games in Australia this April !

Introduce yourself ! Who are you what do you do?

My name is Melissa Humana-Paredes. I’m 25 years old born in raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I’m a recent graduate from Communication Studies at York University and also a member of Team Canada’s National Beach Volleyball Team!

Why did you decide to take the pledge and #GoGreenForTheBigBlue?

I’ve always had a soft spot for animals and after learning how our lifestyle has had direct consequences on not just our home but theirs too, I knew change was needed crucial. Being a beach volleyball player, I’m fortunate enough to travel to beautiful beaches around the world surrounded by the beautiful big blue, home to many living creatures. Unfortunately, I also often see the detriments of human action. The earth has provided me with amazing beaches to play on so I feel it is my responsibility to speak and act for those who cannot speak or act for themselves. This is why we need to support organizations like Sea Going Green to bring awareness, help spearhead behavioural change and advocate for ocean conservation.

What does sustainable tourism mean to you?

Sustainable tourism to me means living in the moment in an ethical way! To be conscious of your impact doesn’t deteriorate the ability to enjoy life - in fact, knowing that there are ways to be a responsible tourist already enhances the experience through peace of mind.

As a professional beach volleyball player you must travel a lot, what are some of your favourite marine destinations and why?

My all-time favourite destination is Croatia. Croatia has a special place in my heart, not only because it is where I won my first international Gold medal for Canada last summer (insert picture), but it is the most naturally beautiful place I’ve laid eyes on.

If you HAD to choose 1 marine animal to represent you as a Sea Going Green ambassador ,what would it be?

DOLPHIN! I started wearing a gold dolphin earring a couple seasons ago and I consider it my good luck charm (it also happens to be my patronus for all you Harry Potter fans)! Since training in California, we are often lucky enough to be able to pause practices because of dolphin sightings. It’s very humbling to see such beautiful creatures and makes it all the more important that we take care of their home & keep it as safe/sustainable as possible.

Thanks and we look forward to spreading the need to #GoGreenForTheBigBlue!

Melissa will also be taking over our instagram from sunny L.A for the next 24 hours so go check it out here : www.instagram.com/seagoinggreen !