Currents, Circulation, and Vulnerability

Abstract

The ocean is never at rest. Currents, eddies, and turbulence change its conditions for life at different time scales in a beautiful and complex manner. Human misbehaviour is clearly seen in the waste, including plastic, from various sources that is transported all over the ocean by these currents. Some believe that if we do not change our behaviour the ocean will eventually contain more plastic than fish. Instead of pristine ocean eddies, plastic will be accumulated by the currents into large surface ‘garbage patches’ that are very dangerous for sea birds and marine ecosystems. Without a better human connection to it, the ocean will become a biological desert mirroring our alienation and frozen emotions. The ocean’s response to this misbehaviour is to remind us of our wasteful lifestyles and of the need to improve our mental health. Both the ocean and humans are vulnerable, and we humans need the inspiration to change our behaviour.