Emma Batty Sukerta | Diver | environmental activist | canada | Indonesia
Emma is a 19 year old Indonesian-Canadian youth environmental activist. She is also a certified divemaster from a local fisherman family in Bali, Banjar Seseh. She grew up around the ocean -her father a surfer and her uncles are fishermen and lifeguards.
Emma’s family has been connected to and reliant on the ocean for generations, and with the rise in plastic pollution and climate change, and 4 years ago, Emma started her environmental advocacy journey. When Emma isn’t busy in and around the ocean, she is dedicated towards her online bachelors degree to pursue ocean conservation efforts, focusing in Indonesia.
When did you start your storytelling journey?
I started storytelling around two to three years ago, focusing on photography.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
I remember the local culture of fisherman and sea. My dad would take me out surfing and stuff plastic into his wetsuit. My village had a small hut bar on the beach, and every family had someone volunteer there weekly, where the money went back to the village (for temple infrastructure and cultural practices).
I also fondly remember going fishing with my dad on our traditional Balinese boat (jukung) and being excited about catching only a handful of fish. We used to use surf boards to release fishing nets that would only catch 1-3 lobsters.
Overall, I have lots of small memories of what Balinese culture and family is like, especially prior to industrialisation and the expansion of the tourism industry. My mum is an English/History teacher, and she would teach me vital moments in history that allows me to understand politics today, giving me the knowledge to understand at a young age how the tourism, fishing, and agriculture industry play massive roles in the acceleration of climate change.
One of my fondestest memories is accompanying my grandma, a wildlife photographer, on trips to national parks, seeking birds and wildlife to capture and then later on, frame. An accumulation of these memories made me the person and storyteller I am today.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
I was the leader of Bye Bye Plastic Bags Jakarta for 2 years, where I managed 18 school clubs, at the age of 15, to advocate and reduce plastic waste. During this time, I spoke in over 50 engagements, a majority surrounding the topics of climate change, plastic pollution, and youth empowerment, including a Tedx Talk.
I was also the youth representative for several events hosted by Dr.Dino Djalal and his organisation Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia. Through these events, I spoke with the Vice President of the European Union.
I worked as the Community Builder of YOUTHTOPIA, a company creating learning resources for youth to learn about change-making. I ran a community of over 200 young changemakers around the world, all of which have projects to do with the 17 SDGs. I was also invited as one of 4 social media Indonesian ambassadors to work with The Body Shop to advocate and collect over 450,000 petition signatures to push forward a bill that increase legal support to sexual harassment victims.
Since graduating, I have been in the process of shifting from education to research. I won a video competition and received a trip to a marine protected island in Seychelles, to learn about the Save our Seas marine research work. I then earlier this year, received a full scholarship to complete my divemaster with Blue Corner dive.
I received the PADI Women’s Day scholarship from Blue Corner Dive in Lembongan, and completed my divemaster with them. This was an amazing opportunity that I am extremely grateful for. I also received 3 weeks of conservation courses, and so I have been taught the basics and foundation of marine ecology, monitoring and coral restoration. I participated in an 8-week remote externship with National Geographic and The Nature Conservancy on Marine Conservation. Following this I was able to apply for, and received, seed funding from them to start a project on acoustic restoration. I am now pursuing this project with Blue Corner Dive, studying the sounds of coral. We are using hydrophones to compare the differences between rubble sites, early restoration sites, older restoration sites and healthy/thriving coral.
What/who currently inspires you?
I am inspired by young activist such as Melati Wijsen, Greta Thunberg, Vanessa Nakate, Louise Mabulo etc. Also, when I won a trip and went to the Seychelles to dive for the first time, my sister and I were on a private island dedicated to ocean research. The only other guests were the creators of the academy winning documentary “The Octopus Teacher.” We spent several days eating diving and learning from Craig Foster (the octopus teacher himself), his wife (another wildlife storyteller) Swati Thiyagarajan and the director, Pippa Ehrlich. They are my storytelling inspirations.
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
I would like to change peoples mindset on the general idea that individual change cannot lead to systematic change. I believe the changes in knowledge and lifestyle of a single individual and make an impact. In regards to the environment itself my passion lies towards the ocean. Reversing damages made to coral reefs and rising sea levels would is the ultimate wish in a perfect world of course. I believe mankind has two jobs, to reverse the damages already made (to whatever capacity possible) and to prevent further damages.
Current Projects
With the support of the OCL Storytelling Grant, I am working on a short film project which will be called “DiveHERs of Indonesia: A Coral Catch Story.” It is a short documentary focusing on the transformative journey of Indonesian women engaged in the Coral Catch program. This project highlights their participation in a scholarship program that integrates scientific diving training and a 9-week coral restoration initiative. Through a dual-timeline approach, the short documentary interweaves the experiences of women currently undergoing the program and those who have successfully completed it in past batches.
The film aims to showcase the resilience, dedication, and passion of these women, both in their rigorous training and their immersive contributions to coral reef restoration. With five successful batches completed and two more upcoming, featuring four women per batch, the short documentary will encapsulate the stories of 20 Coral Catch Superwomen. It aspires to capture their unwavering commitment to learning and protecting marine ecosystems. It will shine a light on the mother ocean guardian, Rose, who started the program with a vision of educating and supporting 100 Indonesian Women. It will showcase her passion and resilience to achieving her goal.
Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking, and that you'd like to recommend to other ocean lovers?
The octopus teacher!
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope to leave a legacy that showcases the change a young person can make. I started young, at the age of 15. I wish to inspire others to work for what they believe, no matter their age.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams as an Ocean Storyteller?
I think curiosity and drive is significant. Persistence to always learning and growing as a storytelling, diver, fisherman, photographer etc. is important. I think learn to start small and work your way up to big projects is also a key mindset to have.
INSTAGRAM: @emma_batty
