Our Changing Ocean

Catalog description

In our terrestrial lives, the ocean may seem distant, daunting, even dreary. Yet, we live on a water planet. The ocean controls our climate, feeds us, contains vast mineral reserves, and harbors spectacularly diverse ecosystems like coral reefs. It is so vast that the Pacific Ocean alone covers nearly one third of our entire planet. We have mapped the moon to greater detail than most of the seafloor! From tiny gobies hiding amongst corals to critters lurking in the deep dark ocean interior, new ocean species are discovered all the time. The sheer size of the ocean almost makes it seem unchangeable, beyond our reach. But our ocean is changing, and it is changing rapidly. Fish stocks are depleted. Seawater is warming and acidifying. Corals are dying. Plastics are found from Antarctic penguins to deep ocean sediments. Despite the peril, all is not lost and there is still time for scientists, policymakers, engineers, lawyers, and entrepreneurs to work together to conserve all that the ocean provides us. This course will provide students an overview of spectacular ocean ecosystems, foster discussions about our changing ocean from legal, ethical, and scientific viewpoints, and explore the role the ocean will play in our future economy and climate. Beyond regular seminars, this course will include a field trip to the Audobon Aquarium and a day out on the ocean.