The World Ocean Observatory (W2O) was founded in 2004 to advocate for the sustainable ocean through communications, the distribution of responsible science and educational services to a growing audience of Citizens of the Ocean worldwide who must be the force required to address the challenges, support the policies, and implement the actions that will bring success.
Over our sixteen year history, W2O has implemented numerous platforms for such communications: syndicated radio, podcasts, aggregated video channel, digital magazine, forum blog for solutions, virtual exhibits, educational resources, ocean curricula, publications, a maritime heritage film festival, and more—all tools that, through networks and partnerships, have amplified our voice to the extent that we can legitimately measure our reach by millions, through site visits, downloads, relentless social media, and association with organizations and outlets that extend our reach further still.
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2021 has shown us the exponential impacts of climate change—in the form of pandemic, extreme weather, climate refugees, warming seas, fresh water crises, food insecurity, and more. The ocean figures seriously in all instances, and continues to be challenged on all fronts. The time is urgent.
And now, at the global climate meeting (COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland), our latest and most exciting innovation has debuted: World Ocean Explorer. Funded to date by the Schmidt Ocean Institute and the Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation, our virtual aquarium will simulate access to the rich natural wealth and social implications of the ocean. World Ocean Explorer will be a unique educational opportunity for anyone, anywhere with an Internet connection, at any time, at no cost to immerse and explore species rarely seen, to observe and understand the ocean world and how it pertains to human survival. We have high hopes for this initiative as a penultimate expression of our purpose.
With such success comes humility and responsibility. We cannot lose heart or commitment. We are asking for your help. Our goals and our record have not just withstood the test of time, but have set precedent and allied with the best of much larger public and private entities with comparable mission. If we are reaching millions now, we will be reaching millions more through these latest accomplishments. We are grateful for your interest and contribution. During these urgent times we pledge to continue to provide astonishing return for your confidence and investment. We can do more, and will continue to maintain and build the global ocean community through your understanding and generosity.
We have become a demonstrable, effective voice for the ocean, innovating and promoting solutions, informing and mobilizing friends, neighbors, and strangers, and continuing to champion the sea that connects all things.
Please consider a gift of support this fall. We will use it well.
With thanks and best wishes,
Peter Neill, Director
and the W2O Team
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WORLD OCEAN RADIO is a weekly audio feature for web and podcast listeners, and for worldwide distribution through college and community radio stations and partners. World Ocean Radio offers a unique perspective on important and relevant ocean issues such as the health of our watersheds and coastal pollution; the consequences of an industrialized world; sea level rise and extreme weather; the plastic pollution crisis; overfishing; the future of aquaculture; what happens out of sight on the high seas; Arctic health and its indigeous peoples; threats to biodiversity; and much more. World Ocean Radio outlines the issues we face as well as the good work being done around the world: from innovative adaptive technologies to the preservation and celebration of maritime heritage; from science-driven attention being given to our changing climate to the innovative technological responses to renewable energy worldwide. World Ocean Radio broadcasts offer meaningful, relevant, science-based information about the state of our world ocean, offering relevant news and information in an editorial format for all of us Citizens of the Ocean worldwide.
WORLDOCEANOBSERVATORY.ORG/WORLD-OCEAN-RADIO
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WORLD OCEAN EXPLORER is an educational, interactive environment designed for the exploration and discovery of the world ocean. Based on realistic aquarium design, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the exhibit, wander the halls, interact with marine environments and displays, and explore species otherwise not available in a traditional aquarium environment. Our first exhibit, THE DEEP SEA, launches in December 2021. Funded by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, this exhibit features the discoveries of their 2020 campaign in the deep waters off Australia, showcasing species and environments never before seen and some species never before known. This will be a remarkable new tool for formal and informal ocean education and to showcase its unique biodiversity and value. With World Ocean Explorer we hope to reach an audience of millions, introducing educational concepts and organizational themes. Our ambition is to make the ocean accessible through inclusive interaction as wide, deep, and dynamic as the ocean itself. It is not unreasonable to claim this project has the power to transform ocean educational access and content for students and citizens worldwide.
WORLDOCEANOBSERVATORY.ORG/WORLD-OCEAN-EXPLORER
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