It's the time of year when water-lovers around the world put the blue back in the green. Dive In To Earth Day is the Coral Reef Alliance's answer to bringing attention to the 72 percent of the planet covered by water. Since its inception in 2000, Dive in has generated grassroots activism in support of the planet's delicate aquatic ecosystems. Activities have ranged from underwater cleanups in Taiwan and India to educational activities for children in Aruba and Poland. This year, participation in Dive In's community activities is anticipated to be at an all-time high.

"I am awed by the impressive range of marine-related environmental activities that Dive In has inspired," says Host Committee member and World Record Freediver Tanya Streeter . "There is so much everyone can do to keep the ocean healthy, whether you're a school teacher in Fiji or a snorkeling enthusiast in New York. Dive In brings people together in dozens of communities around the world to make one great, global effort to protect marine life."

Due to Dive In's incredible work over the past seven years, more than 63 percent of all registered international Earth Day activities in over 103 countries and territories have contributed to the health of coral reefs. Building on the success of last year's program, themed "Everyday Actions to Protect Your Local Aquatic Environment," 2007 will see communities "Decreasing the Impact of Global Climate Change on Our Oceans."

"Dive In To Earth Day has been instrumental at raising awareness of the endangered health of the world's marine life," states CORAL Executive Director Brian Huse. "Yet we face an incredible challenge with global climate change. Only through local awareness and action can we inspire the global commitments needed to reverse climate change. By building on past Dive In successes, and working through our network of activists, we plan to increase awareness and inspire change in homes and communities around the world."

The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is a non-profit coral reef conservation organization headquartered in San Francisco, California, dedicated to protecting the health of coral reefs by integrating ecosystem management, sustainable tourism and community partnerships. CORAL coordinates Dive In To Earth Day in partnership with the Project AWARE Foundation (www.projectaware.org), and with the support of the Earth Day Network and the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN). For more information on how you can participate in Dive In To Earth Day, please visit: http://diveinmedia2006.c.topica.com/maafkA0abuxccbqADyGb/