Tara Santos

Tara Santos is a marine conservationist from the Philippines with a background in climate science, environmental justice, and community-based conservation. She holds a Master’s degree in Climate and Society from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree in Culture and Media from The New School in New York. Her work focuses on bridging scientific research with traditional ecological knowledge to support sustainable marine conservation efforts that center local communities. She has worked on a range of projects, from coral restoration and 3D reef mapping to marine protected area monitoring, collaborating with NGOs and coastal stakeholders. As a PADI scuba diving instructor, she’s passionate about using diving as a tool for ocean advocacy, bringing awareness to the connections between marine health, climate change, and frontline communities. She’s especially interested in policies that champion climate justice and protect the rights of those who depend on marine ecosystems for their livelihoods. When she’s not underwater, Tara enjoys listening to vinyl records, drawing, and roller-skating