Whilst the world watches El Niño in the Pacific with bated breath, a groundbreaking study draws attention to an often-overlooked climatic factor: the Indian Ocean. Israeli researchers have discovered that temperature patterns in these tropical waters can signal months in advance whether the eastern Mediterranean region will be hit by prolonged periods of drought.
The answer depends very much on what you mean by ‘diving’… Editor’s note: This article is aimed at divers and non-divers alike. We hope it helps non-divers to better understand the sometimes confusing media coverage of diving-related topics, and we’d be delighted if you shared this article with your non-diving friends.
Thousands of corals brought to safety. As rising sea temperatures take their toll on the coral reefs of the Florida Keys, scientists and conservationists have begun a race against time – the survival of entire coral species is at stake.
Insights into the ecology and conservation of marine habitats. Sea turtles spend the vast majority of their lives in the sea. Nevertheless, for many decades, conservation efforts have focused primarily on their nesting beaches. By contrast, the habitats they use between nesting periods – from seagrass beds and coral reefs to the open ocean – have long been the subject of significantly less research.
Between innovation and ecological reality: Why The Ocean Cleanup is impressive but won’t save us: two tugboats are pulling a 2.2-kilometre-long barrier through the Pacific. In the collection point: fishing nets, plastic bottles, canisters – visible evidence of our throwaway culture.
A look at the system, not just the people: When five people lose their lives in a diving accident and a sixth dies during a rescue attempt, the diving community reacts in a way that may seem understandable at first glance: we look for the wrong decision, the person who made the mistake, and the rule that was broken. We are quick to pass judgement and close the investigation.
Our oceans’ coral reefs are fighting for survival. More than a million species call these colourful underwater landscapes home – it is not for nothing that they are referred to as the ‘rainforests of the seas’. Yet rising water temperatures, aggressive UV radiation and environmental pollution are taking a massive toll on these sensitive cnidarians. Worldwide, coral reefs are dying off at an alarming rate; their colours are fading and they are bleaching.
Greenwashing on the reef: The whole truth! Anyone snorkelling or diving on tropical beaches wants to enjoy the colourful coral reefs – whilst at the same time protecting their own skin from UV radiation. Many holidaymakers therefore opt for sun protection products advertised as ‘reef-safe’.
A hidden threat in the deep sea: the debate surrounding the extraction of mineral resources from the oceans is taking on a worrying new dimension: a recent scientific study by the Deep Sea Mining Campaign reveals that industrial deep-sea mining could release radioactive substances – with far-reaching consequences for people and the natural world.
ExxonMobil plans CO₂ storage – environmental organisations warn. When the North Sea becomes a final repository: Why a controversial project threatens marine mammals: The American energy company ExxonMobil has big plans for the German North Sea. But what is being sold as a climate protection measure could become a serious threat to one of our most important marine ecosystems.