Looking for new ways to see our oceans
By Emiliano Rodriguez Nuesch and María Morena Vicente
In our rapidly changing world, the profound transformation occurring in our oceans is one of the most pressing yet often overlooked issues. These changes happen out of sight and, consequently, out of mind.
Daniel Kahneman's concept of "What You See Is All There Is," or WYSIATI, explains this phenomenon and describes how people become certain and confident about what they know, even when their knowledge is incomplete. As a consequence, we tend to treat what we can see as all there is to know.
The fact that high seas are vast and remote creates a barrier for us to connect with these rapid transformations and challenges. For example, we know about the problem of plastics, but due to the vastness of the ocean, it is difficult for us to visualize the scale of it.
Or take a look at corals: despite alarming statistics—like coral reefs facing near-extinction from bleaching—the numbers alone often don't spur the needed emotional and behavioral responses.
So, how can we grasp the severity of oceanic challenges if we can't see them?
Let's look at creative ways to make both the wonders and the problems of our oceans visible.
Making invisible sea life visible
New diving and exploration technologies are helping us discover new species and incredible life in the ocean depths that we were not aware of. Not only do we find new amazing species, but we also discover new types of collaborations, like that of the angler fish partnering with bacteria that provide him with light in the darkness.
Searching for evidence of ocean changes on the coasts
Communities of beachcombers have firsthand experience of the changes affecting our oceans, by collecting the objects that reach the coasts. They find unexpected objects washing ashore, each with stories that reveal events occurring in the ocean of which we are unaware.
One thing these beach finds often reveal is the immense distances objects can travel and the long durations they can remain at sea. Materials such as plastic and rubber can persist in the ocean for decades, covering thousands of miles.
Take a look at this interactive map that shows where plastic ends up if someone throws it somewhere in the ocean.
This evidence from the coasts provides important information. For example, cigarette lighters could prove useful tools for tracking the origins of plastic pollution and marine debris.
Such information can also help to identify how potentially invasive species might cross the oceans on floating debris to colonize new parts of the world. Take a look at this hermit crab in the Maldives that has mistaken a plastic cup for a suitable home.
Sharing new perspectives of the ocean
Coral reefs are some of the biggest life structures on Earth. They can even be viewed from space! This video shows part of the Great Barrier Reef off Australia, as seen from the International Space Station:
Highlighting innovative restoration initiatives
Have you ever heard the sound of a coral reef? Scientists are capturing sounds from healthy coral reefs and playing them at degraded ones, showing that coral larvae may choose where to settle based on these sounds. Such efforts can inspire increased support for marine conservation initiatives.
Seeing the ocean in a new way is both a call to action and to empathy. By revealing the unseen realities of our seas—be it the fragile beauty of coral reefs or the enduring persistence of oceanic plastic—we can awaken a deeper connection to our planet and be able to understand that “what we see is not all there is.”
Witnessing the ocean’s transformations
Decades ago, Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior became a critical witness to oceanic changes and environmental crimes that were largely invisible to the global public. As it sailed the seas, this iconic vessel documented and exposed illegal whaling, nuclear testing, and industrial pollution, bringing these hidden threats to the forefront of public awareness.
The ship's brave crew, sharing vivid and often risky firsthand accounts, emphasized the critical need for environmental protection. This led to major policy changes and global conservation efforts.
Today, contemporary equivalents to the Rainbow Warrior include initiatives like the Ocean Cleanup project and the work of marine biologists using remote sensing technologies. The Ocean Cleanup uses advanced systems to collect and analyze plastic debris from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, making the scale of ocean plastic pollution visible and actionable.
Understanding the profound yet hidden challenges in our oceans is crucial, given their vast and remote nature. By leveraging accessible technologies’ new perspectives and community-driven initiatives, we can take action over these unseen realities and address the most pressing environmental threats.