The five major oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface but they are consistently overlooked by science writers and policy makers alike. In this newsletter I will discuss my knowledge of the ocean in the context of current events and climate change, as well as any cool phenomena in the news lately.
I have degrees in both oceanography and English, but by no means have I learned everything. As my favorite podcaster Kacia Ghetmiri says, this will be a “come with me, let’s figure this out together” newsletter as opposed to a “look at me, I’ve got it all figured out” newsletter. My sources are primarily e-news outlets, non-profits’ websites, policy publications, government websites, and recent scientific studies.
Who is this for?
This newsletter aims to draw attention to a ~sea~ of issues, from ocean acidification to deep water formation. I believe the best way to demonstrate knowledge is to teach others, and I aim to lead scientists and non-scientists alike on a journey of marine discovery. As mentioned above, the writing here will be based on scientific studies, policy publications, and news articles, which I will read and summarize as simply as possible. My goal is that anyone with even the most casual interest in the ocean will walk away with new knowledge.
Join the crew!
If you have any suggestions for topics or would like me to go into more depth about something that you find confusing, please send me suggestions! Oceanography can be difficult to understand (believe me, I know) and no query is too small.
Also, if you are a scientist who would like some publicity for your research OR if you’re an ocean-loving non-profit/company/group, feel free to request a featured interview.
As a freelance writer, I appreciate any & all efforts by my readers to help pollinate the internet with my work. If you know of anyone who loves to learn, read, and/or is curious about marine & climate science, please tell them about this newsletter!
Index
Interviews: Dr. Tricia Thibodeau, plankton ecologist; Jason Anthony, freelance environmental writer; Gia Mora, TV producer/songwriter/performer; Seal Rescue Ireland, seal rehabilitation organization
[SERIES] Annexing the Arctic: Part 1; Part 2; Part 3
[SERIES] IPC(Sea) Report: sea level rise; ocean acidification; coral bleaching; geoengineering; global overturning circulation; conclusions
[SERIES] Hot Tub Time Machine: North Atlantic Oscillation; Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation; El Niño versus the Indian Ocean Dipole
Public knowledge: Ocean (il)literacy; Eco-Anxiety; polarization
Geoengineering: IPCC conclusions; international policy; saving coral reefs
International law: The Madrid Protocol & the 2022 UNOC; Ireland & the EU
Ideas for communicating oceanography: Birds & the Audubon Society
Country profiles (environment): Ireland (environment); Ireland (policy)
Animal profiles: Corals; pteropods; seals
Maps & resources: The Climate Reanalyzer; the Interactive Climate Atlas; Audubon’s Survival By Degrees bird population map
P.S. Interested in poetry? Check out Sensing and The Sands of Time (featuring some science-y poems!) on my author website. Sensing is also available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Waterstones. :)
