United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to Fit Out 10,000 Cargo Vessels with Sensing Equipment for Research Purposes

Cranking up the Scale: UNESCO Aims to Arm 10,000 Ships for Ocean Research Crusade

UNESCO to Equip 10,000 Ocean-Going Vessels with Research Sensors for Oceans Study - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to Fit Out 10,000 Cargo Vessels with Sensing Equipment for Research Purposes

Here's a mind-blowing statistical nugget: We know more about the moon's craters than the ocean floor! That's what UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay had to say, and you can bet your boat she's right. Delving into the deep blue is the hottest scientific venture of our time, but alas, the international community's been shooting blanks when it comes to funding ocean research - a paltry two percent of national research budgets, to be exact.

But fret not, sailor! The UNESCO is gunning to change that with its new initiative, promising to toss hundreds of thousands of oceanographic sensors onto 10,000 commercial ships by 2035. This bold move was announced at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, and it's about to set the sailing world, and by extension, the scientific community on fire!

Enter Goos sensors - whiz-bang sensors that spit out real-time meteorological and oceanographic data. This intel will help us understand the repercussions of climate change and extreme weather events, as well as boost maritime safety. It's a win-win situation!

Currently, only a pitiful 6 percent of the ocean floor is mapped in high resolution. However, the UN Ocean Conference is like the red carpet for countries like Germany, Norway, Portugal, and Canada, who are expected to commit to publishing their ocean data. Talk about a party!

• UNESCO
• Commercial Vessel
• Research
• Sensor
• Maritime Safety
• Climate Change
• Ocean Floor
• Audrey Azoulay

Quick facts:

• The UNESCO project aims to equip 10,000 commercial vessels with oceanographic sensors.
• These sensors will collect data on temperature, salinity, pH levels, and other vital ocean parameters.
• By 2035, this initiative could significantly expand existing ocean monitoring networks, increasing the density and coverage of data collection.
• More comprehensive data could help study climate change impacts on the ocean, contribute to ocean forecasting models, and inform policy decisions for sustainable ocean management and conservation.

The European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission are expected to support UNESCO's ambitious plan to equip 10,000 commercial vessels with sensors for ocean research, as these sensors will greatly enhance our understanding of climate change and its effects on the ocean floor. With the help of these sensors, we can collect data on temperature, salinity, pH levels, and other vital ocean parameters, contributing to ocean forecasting models, sustainable ocean management, and environmental science.

The UNESCO's project, announced at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, could revolutionize our approach to ocean research, bringing more comprehensive data to the forefront of climate-change studies and maritime safety. This initiative aligns with the European Parliament's commitment to understanding the environmental implications of science and technology.

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