Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Why do we explore the OCEAN?

Similar presentations


Presentation on theme: "Why do we explore the OCEAN?"— Presentation transcript:

1 Why do we explore the OCEAN?

2 We all came from the sea. We are tied to the ocean
We all came from the sea. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea – whether it is to sail or to watch it – we are going back from whence we came. -- John F. Kennedy: 35th President of the United States, Navy veteran, avid sailor

3 PLANET OCEAN 70% of Earth’s surface is covered in water, yet in name it is ignored The average depth of our ocean is two miles; it supports life at every level Changes in the tropical Pacific can affect snowfall in Seattle, hurricane season in the Atlantic, and more While no one knows for sure, it is likely that most of our planet’s biodiversity exists in the ocean The Gulf Stream moves 10,000 times as much water as the Mississippi River

4 A Global Map of Human Impacts to Marine Ecosystems

5 UNCHARTED WATER The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates on a budget for ocean exploration that is less than 1% of NASA’s budget We have better maps of Mars than we do of our ocean floor The U.S. controls the surrounding waters out to 200 miles beyond our terrestrial borders, yet most of this exclusive economic zone is unexplored

6 Support Human Life Ocean currents stabilize Earth’s temperatures, moving heat from the Equator to the Poles The oceans absorb one third of carbon dioxide generated by humans Fish accounts for 20% of animal protein consumed by humans

7 Modern Civilization The majority of human civilization spread via the oceans 90% of international trade is by ship 50% of the world’s population is coastal

8 Historical reasons

9 Historical reasons Gain knowledge about the world
Obtain economic benefits Increase political power Spread religious doctrine Advance science and technology Keep pace with other nations

10 Today, are there other reasons?

11 Today, are there other reasons?
Climate change Energy Human Health Ocean Health Research Technological Innovation Science Education

12 Climate Change The ocean has a major influence on the Earth’s climate
Major decline in sea ice and glaciers

13 1. Climate Change Earth’s average temperature is warmer than any time since the 1400’s If CO2in atmosphere continues to rise, the resulting climate change poses a potential disaster to humans and the environment Mountain glaciers are melting and polar ice is decreasing

14 Energy Methane Hydrates are a potential alternative energy source.
More Carbon than in Fossil fuels. Protect marine environments in which it is found.

15 2. Energy Includes non-renewable ( oil and gas) as well as renewable sources In deep , cold water methane gas is trapped inside frozen methane hydrates Methane Hydrates in permafrost and deep sea sediments are potentially significant energy sources

16 Human Health May find promising sources of new antibiotics, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory drugs.

17 3. Human Health The ocean is a source of new medicinal compounds
Many potentially useful compounds for drugs are present in small amounts in ocean organisms Chemicals produced by marine organisms may be useful in treating human disease

18 Ocean Health Overfishing, pollution and climate change are adversely affecting the marine ecosystem Changing temperature and pH of habitat

19 4. Ocean Health Invasive species and over exploitation of large species impact our oceans Changes in pH affect reproduction in some organisms and the formation of shells and skeletal structures through calcification Ocean surface water is becoming more acidic due to increased levels of dissolved CO2

20 Research Exploring the unexplored will have tangible benefits

21 5. Research Over the past 30 years we have found more than 600 new species within vent and seep communities We find several new species every time we look somewhere new Exploring the ocean helps focus science into critical areas that can benefit mankind

22 Technological Innovation
Marine environment is hostile

23 6. Technological Innovation
Autonomous underwater vehicles can map the sea floor without being connected to a ship The challenges of working in extreme environments can stimulate technological advances The OKEANOS EXPLORER has telepresence capabilities

24 Science education Inspire youth Basis for problem solving techniques
Improve ocean literacy

25 7. Science Education Ocean exploration can inspire new generations to seek careers in science and technology The challenges of ocean exploration can serve as the basis for problem-solving instruction Having knowledge of the ocean helps us to understand the critical relationship between the ocean and ourselves

26 Harmful Human Actions Most fisheries are becoming overfished
The weight of garbage that is dumped into the ocean is three times the weight of fish caught As the oceans absorb more carbon dioxide, they are becoming more acidic, threatening corals, shellfish and plankton – the base of the marine food chain Sea level is expected to rise almost a meter this century, harming coastal wetlands and forcing human evacuations from low lying island nations

27 Early Era Oceans used for transportation/trade/resources
PHOENICIANS BC- earliest trading routes in the Mediterranean, sailed to Great Britain and Africa VIKINGS BC- period of global warming, spread Christianity, reached North America (Vinland)

28 AGE OF DISCOVERY EUROPEAN Explorers seek trade route to EAST
Columbus reached Bahamas Cabot mapped NE coast Vespucci- N/S America “New World” Balboa saw Pacific Ocean Magellan circumnavigate Earth Cartier- St Lawrence River, try to go to China Hudson-1607/11-Hudson River/Bay

29 Age of Scientists Capt Cook South Pacific, scurvy, Hawaii; HMS Endeavor Franklin Gulf Stream Current Darwin Beagle- Galapagos Islands, evolution by natural selection Matthew Maury st book on oceanography, currents, weather, sea life Charles Wyville Thompson HMS Challenger- founder of scientific oceanography

30 Age of Scientists Fridtjof Nansen FRAM- explored Arctic, Nobel Peace Prize 1922, trapped in ice 3 yrs, proved no land at North Pole METEOR used SONAR for the 1st time, revealed ruggedness of sea floor WWII ended civilian era of exploration

31 Modern Era 1934- William Beebe- Bathysphere
1943- Jacques Cousteau- SCUBA 1950’s Bathyscaphe- Picard’s- TRIESTE- deepest dive to Marianas Trench- Challenger Deep 1960’s Submersibles- ALVIN – Robert Ballard- hydrothermal vents 1979- Dr. Sylvia Earle- deepest solo dive

32 Modern Era 1985- Dr. Ballard discovers the Titanic
2013- James Cameron repeats deepest dive to bottom of Marianas Trench N.O.A.A. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

33


Download ppt "Why do we explore the OCEAN?"

Similar presentations


Ads by Google