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Let’s give marine science a bad name in schools

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Disclaimer: Words in mOcean is not responsible for any catastrophic set-backs to your career or life that may result from following the advice below.

The New Scientist recently ran an article with the title ‘Let’s give science a bad name in schools’. The argument put forward was that because science is often seen as boring by members of the general public, we need ‘rebellious’ role-models that today’s youngsters can identify with. Words in mOcean has compiled a list of five things you, as a marine scientist, can do to turn yourself into a world famous ‘scientific bad-ass’. Continue reading Let’s give marine science a bad name in schools →

It takes a special kind of person to be a phytoplankton ecologist

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Within my first two years of undergrad, I’ve been lucky enough to participate in two research programs, at the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City, North Carolina, and at UT’s Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Texas. Despite nearly 1000 miles separating the two places, there were several striking similarities. Between the charmingly goofy professors, the diverse group of undergrads (many of which are sometimes crammed into one small dorm room), and the laid back atmosphere of beach towns, I felt like I have a pretty good knowledge of what a typical marine science research extravaganza entailed, that is, until all of that was crammed onto a 135-foot boat. Continue reading It takes a special kind of person to be a phytoplankton ecologist →

The truth about the effects of climate change on Antarctica

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Since the final climate change episode of ‘Frozen Planet’ aired this week I have encountered three attempts to discredit the science: one statement1 by Nigel Lawson and two articles2, 3 by Chrisopher Booker (the first of which accuses the BBC of presenting a one-sided argument, when if anything they made too much of an effort to be balanced – not once did they blame humans for the changes observed). In what I am sure is a pure coincidence, all of these retorts were commissioned by The Global Warming Policy Foundation. This registered ‘charity’ is a think tank, funded by secret donors, that claims to be:

Continue reading The truth about the effects of climate change on Antarctica →

Welcome to Words in mOcean

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Welcome to Words in mOcean: a website where scientists and non-scientists can publish blogs on marine science.

With your help, I want to share my passion for the ocean. Aside from their aesthetic beauty and recreational utility, our oceans provide the air we breath, the water we drink, and a bountiful supply of food; they also regulate the Earth’s climate and in the future we will no doubt rely on them to provide a wide range of sustainable energy technologies – from algal biofuels, to wave and tidal power. However, our oceans are also under threat: they are warming, becoming more stratified, more polluted, and more acidic. They are also being over-fished on an enormous scale – a problem not only for our fish and chip shops, but also for the normal functioning of diverse, healthy oceanic ecosystems.

So, whether you are a member of the public with an interest in the ocean, a PhD or masters student wishing to blog about your project, or an academic wishing to communicate your research to the public, I challenge you to educate, to inform, and to inspire with your marine-themed blog posts.

David Aldridge (follow me on twitter: @D_Aldridge)

David Aldridge has a PhD in Marine Science from The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. He is now planning his escape from academia. He is the founder and editor of Words in mOcean.