Stories

Editor’s note: This article is the first in a three-part series that investigates the connections among increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, the ocean’s role in absorbing carbon dioxide and the effect on marine ecosystems, and what happens to atmospheric oxygen levels when the base of the food chain—phytoplankton—dies off.

Humans have used energy ever since lighting the first fire back in prehistoric times. As we progressed along with our technology, our need for more energy-intensive fuels grew.

Read more: Fossil Fuel Emissions and Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide

While paddling my kayak through Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bay on a very dark night, I was amazed by the amount of light created as my paddle dipped into the blackness. Thousands of tiny dinoflagellate creatures were stirred up with each stroke creating a waterfall of little lanterns from my paddle. A jump into the bay itself emitted a giant spotlight of bluish light – enough to read by! These special algae with both plant-like and animal-like characteristics, as well as other bioluminescent beings such as jellyfish, fireflies and green bomber worms, are being studied by scientists all over the world to see what can be learned and applied to the design of underwater lighting and energy science.

Read more: Biomimicry: Designed by Nature

Having grown up in a Leave It To Beaver household in the 50’s, I am used to being slightly dizzy with the smell of ammonia and bleach wafting through my tidy home.  “Certified Clean” used to mean killing every germ, halting every bacterial growth, and eliminating every fungus before it blossomed out of control.  The assurance that everything was “clean” justified the unearthly smell we endured – or so it seemed at the time.

Read more: CERTIFIED PRODUCT! Does Anyone Care?

We demand more of our planet than we ever have.  By 2050, population is expected to increase 25 % in the United States and 50% the world over.  Exponential population increase coincides with the recent exponential rise in food prices, and it will continue to push demand for fuel, food, and goods. But perhaps the most vital resource affected by the population rise – and the one whose future availability is most uncertain – is fresh water.

Read more: Where Is the Water Going?