Is ocean exploration worth it?

With about 71 percent of the entire world being water, 80 percent is still undiscovered. Many have debated whether the ocean should still be explored or not. However, it is as clear as the seas that it would be worth the expense.

Scientific breakthroughs are just one of the reasons it’s worth exploring, as it is home to thousands of species and possibly more that are still left to discover. Scientists could find bacteria or other types of sea life that could be the cure for diseases or other things that may benefit society and encounter a sea of life while exploring the deeper parts of the sea. There is a possibility of finding undiscovered life along with possible unknown creatures from the past that may be a missing link in evolution or animals believed to be extinct.

“It’s worth it, the ocean is full of different fish and species that we don’t even know about”, DBHS senior Camila Bray says.

It might also be the key to finding more fossils of animals that roamed the land that researchers might not have known of, which could bring people closer to finding more about the planet and life origins.

The ocean controls many things, such as the climate. Exploring the ocean can deepen the understanding of not just the ocean but also how the planet works, which could alternatively help figure out how to prevent or react to things such as tsunamis and other natural disasters.

Ocean exploration is also cheaper than space exploration. The NASA budget for 2023 is $25.4 million, and as of 2017, ocean research vessels rack up charges ranging from $10,000 to more than $40,000 a day to operate. Sea expeditions, while being compared to space studies, are much cheaper.

Exploring the ocean is one of the most beneficial things humans can do. The sea is an unknown abyss waiting to be explored with thousands of species.

Written by Erik Miranda | Graphic Designed by Jennifer Rosales

Published February 23, 2023 | ePathfinder | Perspectives