Blog - Page 27 of 29 - Ocean2070

The equation we need to solve

I am not an oceanographer. Nor a marine biologist or meteorologist. I don’t have any degrees in natural science whatsoever.

Yet, I am concerned about the state of the ocean.

My connection to the ocean is windsurfing, so this blog will have a bit of that too.

The idea of the ocean as an inexhaustible resource is long gone. Well, at least it should be. We went too far; took most of its fish, dumped our garbage and polluted and heated it.

Now we need to strike the balance between the urgent need for renewable energy, minerals, food and carbon storage against the equally urgent need to preserve marine ecosystems.

Good news are easy to find too. Like the convention on biological diversity (the natural world’s "Paris agreement”) reached in December 2022 which included preservation of 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030.

The accelerating development of offshore wind is another example of good news.

Or, is it?

Some techno-optimists, companies and governments would firmly say yes. Offshore wind could provide 420,000 TWh electricity per year, which is almost ten times global electricity demand.

Others would ask; how will giant, noisy construction sites and rotors of 220 meters in diameter affect life below and above the sea surface? It’s complicated. No doubt.

I want to know how much we can take from the ocean to tackle the climate crisis with as little damage to the marine environment as possible.

Ocean plastic gadget works?

23/12/202304/10/2019 by Morten Tønnessen-Krokan

Finally, Boyan Slat’s ocean plastic gadget proved it is working. After months of testing and the failed attempt in December last year, Mr. Slat and … Read more

The cryosphere is melting.

A cry from the cryosphere

23/12/202328/09/2019 by Morten Tønnessen-Krokan

Massive, million years old, kilometers thick, gigantic ice that seem eternal has a weak spot. Heat. The glue that keeps the cryosphere together is temperatures … Read more

Shipping accounts for 2 per cent of the global greenhouse gas emissions, equal to air traffic. The industry is aiming for zero emission vessels.

Can these vessels go without CO2 emissions?

23/12/202309/08/2019 by Morten Tønnessen-Krokan

More than 50,000 tankers and vessels are at any given time transporting everything we need. Shipping accounts for 2 per cent of the global greenhouse … Read more

Lofoten, Norway is great. Bring your kids, surf, hike and try dried fish.

Travel letter from Lofoten

23/12/202306/07/2019 by Morten Tønnessen-Krokan

Most important: The black gold as it was called in the old world, remains under the seabed. – The politicians took to reason for once, … Read more

Tromsø windsurf

Travel letter from the Arctic capital

23/12/202326/06/2019 by Morten Tønnessen-Krokan

“Meet at half past one outside Scandic Ishavshotell. I’ll pick you up there.” Cool. We are going out with Arctic Princess. A 45 feet long … Read more