Present: The Blue Planet

The circulation of the ocean is driven by the heat engine of the sun, but much of the deep ocean water is created in a small region of the polar seas. Discover what dives this Ocean Conveyor, how it influences everyday weather in Britain and why are scientists concerned about changes that could take place in the next decade. Using ship observations, satellite data and deep ocean robotic rovers to map our seas we can gain a unique and hitherto much hidden view of the planet’s ocean currents.

Mining is set to begin in some of the most remote, inhospitable and understudied environments on Earth. We will explore the organisms living in these unique habitats, and consider the drivers and engineering challenges to extracting minerals there. Finally, we will ask: what are we likely to gain, what do we stand to lose, and who is the gatekeeper?