Though we live on a blue planet, the ocean is vast and largely unexplored. As scientists have begun to map its vast underwater worlds, they have discovered many ways in which the ocean makes life on Earth possible. Not only does the ocean regulate climate worldwide, but human well-being and the global economy are intimately connected to the health of ocean ecosystems.
This program was originally presented at the California Academy of Sciences’ Morrison Planetarium (San Francisco, CA) on September 5, 2013 during the Academy’s NightLife event. Audiences were taken on an immersive journey from deep space to the deep blue sea, visualizing previously invisible relationships that are shifting perspectives on the extraordinary conditions of our home planet. The live presentation was guided by Bart Shepherd, Director of the Steinhart Aquarium, and David McConville, Creative Director of the Worldviews Network. After the presentation, audience members participated in a dialogue with scientists and entrepreneurs about the ways in which human activities are affecting the ocean, including how scientific research and entrepreneurial approaches are creating new opportunities to increase both human and ocean well-being.
Academy researchers and biologists discuss the possible future of the world’s oceans.
An animation showing the sun blasting out a coronal mass ejection, the Earth being shielded from this by its powerful magnetic field, and the dynamics of ocean and wind currents.
here video...
Ocean acidification is ‘the other carbon problem’– a process by which greenhouse gases dissolve in the ocean, changing the conditions for life across our water planet. In this video, scientists discuss the impacts of this massive change in water chemistry around the planet.
here video...
The California Academy of Sciences’ expedition to the Philippines discovered unusual treasures at great depths.
here video...
Academy scientists spent this 2011 spring in the Philippines, documenting the country’s rich biodiversity with local scientists. Their results hope to bolster conservation efforts in the area.
Steinhart Aquarium biologists are shown collecting small cuttings of coral fragments on the California Academy of Sciences 2011 Philippine Biodiversity Expedition. These fragments were legally exported from the Philippines and brought into cultivation as part of the Academy’s efforts at sustainable collection-building. These small cuttings will be grown into larger colonies, which can then be fragmented to produce corals for display, in-house research projects and exchange with other zoos and aquaria. Exchanging captive-propagated corals is one way that we are able to reduce collection pressures on wild reefs.
We may be the last generation to see Coral Reefs as we know them. Most of the color that you see in the coral is due to the symbiotic algae, not actually the coral.
here video...
A production about CalAcademy research by ABC 7.
here video...
Trailer for a 90-minute documentary capturing the extraordinary images of our remarkable oceans – the source of all life on our planet.
here video...
Coral reefs are home to a quarter of the world’s marine life. But reefs aren’t just good for fish. 450 million people need them for food, jobs and protection of the sea. But climate change, pollution and over-fishing are trashing reefs everywhere. A quarter of the world’s coral reefs are damaged beyond repair.
here video...
Where do squid, jellyfish and other sea creatures begin life? The story of a sea urchin reveals a stunningly beautiful saga of fertilization, development and growth in the ocean depths.
Understanding the ecosystem created by the movement of water from bottom to top.
Meet Piolin, who stated fishing as a teenager in the small town of Kino. After a long day of work, he sits in his hammock near the shore and talks about what his life on the sea means to him.
here video...
Dr. Luiz Rocha. Dr. Rocha’s research interests center on the evolution, biogeography, and ecology of coral reef fishes. His overarching goal is to understand what drives the extremely high biodiversity found in tropical reefs.
here video...
Many thanks thanks to the following folks for helping us to identify relevant data sources: