FROM THE TOS PRESIDENT

Paula Bontempi

Dear TOS Members:

Hello! I hope everyone is well. I have been thinking about how our respective countries’ federal investment in ocean sciences has truly produced paradigm-changing transformational science and discoveries. Much of this information has informed operational science. So, what are the ocean sciences communities’ greatest accomplishments in the last 75–100 years? While my first reaction is to consider discovery-driven science, accomplishments could also be related to operational science and predictions.

I started to jot a list of what I thought might be included, and then debated with a longtime colleague (who thinks about the world completely differently) about his list. We landed on many of the same ideas. I share a few ideas here regarding the top ocean/aquatic scientific discoveries.

In no particular order:

1. Mid-ocean ridges and plate tectonics
2. Hydrothermal life, including the basis of modern theory on the emergence/evolution of life on Earth
3. Understanding and mapping of ocean currents and oscillations
4. Global understanding of biology and response to climate, links between ocean physics and weather/climate – facilitated by satellite remote sensing
5. Unique metabolisms of marine microbes and diagnostic signatures of life

Other thoughts included sound in the sea, endosymbiotic theory, nutrient limitation in the ocean, technology advances in areas like RAFOS floats, Alvin, robotics, etc. What do you think?

What could be next is to measure the impact/value of such discoveries or accomplishments? What have we learned from the historical investments? Perhaps the subject of the next columns will be just that—these are our discoveries, and “so what”? How do we value these findings? What does the next 75 years look like in our dream proposals for new international programs and partnerships for oceanic and planetary health?

I welcome your feedback and thoughts on these ideas—tell me I am crazy, or what I have forgotten—perhaps where I am on point. Thank you for participating in these discussions as TOS Members. Our continued effort to catalyze new opportunities for our shared future, create new leaders, build communities, and engage in dialogue with the public could not be more important.

Sincerely,
Paula