Photo credit: www.esa.int
Innovative Ocean Science Voyage Sets Sail on Earth Day
On April 22, 2025, a group of emerging ocean scientists embarked on an impressive six-week expedition on a tall ship, departing from Norway and making its way to southern France. This journey, organized under the ESA Advanced Ocean Training Course, is focused on instilling vital ocean research skills by leveraging satellite data for innovation and sustainable practices. The program aims not only to educate these future leaders but also to empower them as ambassadors for ocean science.
Oceans, which encompass 97% of the Earth’s water, are essential for life, impacting over three billion people and influencing global climate, biodiversity, and food security. Peter Thomson, the United Nations Special Envoy for the Ocean, emphasized the critical nature of healthy oceans, stating, “There can be no healthy planet without a healthy ocean, and the ocean’s health is currently measurably in decline.” The timing of this voyage is particularly resonant, as it coincides with Earth Day 2025, a global event dedicated to promoting awareness of environmental issues and climate action.
ESA Advanced Ocean Training Course Highlights
Craig Donlon from the European Space Agency (ESA), who is responsible for the voyage, remarked on the oceans’ unparalleled significance, asserting that the phrase “no blue, no green” encapsulates the urgency of understanding oceans, which cover 74% of our planet. He highlighted the strides made in ocean science since the launch of the satellite era but underscored the pressing need for continued research due to increasing climate threats and commercial activities.
“High-quality satellite measurements allow us to observe the oceans frequently, revolutionizing our understanding and conservation efforts,” Donlon stated. He further noted that, as a leading space agency with exceptional Earth observation capabilities, it is the responsibility of ESA to inspire and equip the next generation of scientists with innovative approaches to use satellite data in safeguarding our planet.
Journey Aboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl
The tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl is now home to a diverse group consisting of 50 students, more than 20 lecturers, and marine experts, along with over 40 citizen scientists engaged in collaborative scientific inquiry. Christine Meyer, the Governing Mayor of Bergen, Norway, addressed them, saying, “You will return home having changed the world just a little, in that you are also a scientific expedition. Your journey will fill you with knowledge, essential in our times of environmental challenges.”
Throughout their voyage to Nice, which includes stops in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Menorca, Spain, participants will engage in rigorous learning about satellite oceanography. They will take in situ measurements and analyze near-real-time satellite data in tandem with data collected from the ship and ocean models.
Significance of the Voyage
The ship’s arrival in Nice on June 3 is significant as it precedes the United Nations Ocean Conference, beginning on June 9. This conference aims to promote urgent action for the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources, aligning with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 14.
Moreover, the ESA Advanced Ocean Training Course is a key component of the year-long One Ocean Expedition, which aims to highlight the importance of oceans for a sustainable future on a global scale.
Future Outlook for Ocean Scientists
This initiative also contributes to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observations, noted, “With Earth science at the center of our ESA Earth Observation Programmes, we are proud to support the One Ocean Expedition. It is our genuine hope that participants will utilize this unique opportunity to deepen their understanding and enhance their skills in satellite oceanography.”
The commitment to nurturing the next generation of ocean scientists is further supported by various institutes sponsoring the program, including Ocean Data Laboratory (France), the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (Norway), NASA (US), the Trevor Platt Science Foundation (India), and the Statsraad Lehmkuhl Foundation (Norway). This collaboration allows students from beyond Europe to participate in this significant scientific journey.
Source
www.esa.int