TED Talks Daily The dangers of a noisy ocean -- and how we can quiet it down | Nicola Jones
Mar 11, 2020
Join science journalist Nicola Jones as she dives into the alarming world of ocean noise pollution, a growing threat to marine life. She uncovers the surprising effects of human-made sounds, like those from ships and oil drilling, on species such as beaked whales and killer whales. Nicola also shares success stories, including a Bali experiment that highlights the immediate benefits of a quieter ocean. Listen in for simple strategies we can adopt to help calm the seas and protect marine ecosystems!
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Ocean Noise Pollution
- Ocean noise pollution is a growing threat to marine life, often overshadowed by plastic or chemical pollution.
- Noise can cause stress, injury, and disrupt marine animals' ability to find food, mates, and avoid predators.
Sources of Ocean Noise
- Seismic surveys for oil and gas use air guns that blast every 10-15 seconds, creating intense noise pollution.
- Shipping adds three decibels of noise to the ocean every decade, doubling noise intensity.
Impact of Noise on Marine Life
- Sound travels differently in water, making it hard to determine noise impact on marine life.
- Loud noises cause physical harm; beaked whales suffer from panicked dives and the bends due to sonar.