Best Oceanography Podcasts (2024)

1
Tactics for Change 5:14

1h ago5:14

5:14

This week on World Ocean Radio we're sharing some methods and means to make small and large changes that can have effects on the climate and sustainability challenges that are caused in large part by the consumer choices we make every day. About World Ocean Radio World Ocean Radio is a weekly series of five-minute audio essays available for syndica…

1
Power Naps 2:00

2h ago2:00

2:00

Chinstrap penguins may be contenders for the title of “world’s greatest power nappers.” A recent study found that penguins that are watching over their eggs or chicks nod off more than 10,000 times a day—for an average of just four seconds per nap. Chinstrap penguins live in Antarctica and nearby islands. Adults stand about two and a half feet tall…

1
Power Naps 2:00

4d ago2:00

2:00

Chinstrap penguins may be contenders for the title of “world’s greatest power nappers.” A recent study found that penguins that are watching over their eggs or chicks nod off more than 10,000 times a day—for an average of just four seconds per nap. Chinstrap penguins live in Antarctica and nearby islands. Adults stand about two and a half feet tall…

1
Regulation 5:03

2h ago5:03

5:03

This week on World Ocean Radio we're discussing a recent trip to Lisbon, Portugal to attend the Economist Ocean Summit. One such conversation we participated in was on the topic of regulation--those systems and structures that frame best practices and are designed to control abuse. Regulation is conflicting and contradictory, especially when most r…

1
Deep Snow 2:00

5d ago2:00

2:00

It snows in the oceans. Bacteria, the skin cells of fish, fish poop, and bits of sand and dirt all clump together. These “snowflakes” can be up to an inch or two across. Many of them are eaten as they sink toward the ocean floor. But others float all the way to the bottom—a trip that can take weeks. The snow falls all the way down even in the deepe…

1
Deep Snow 2:00

5d ago2:00

2:00

It snows in the oceans. Bacteria, the skin cells of fish, fish poop, and bits of sand and dirt all clump together. These “snowflakes” can be up to an inch or two across. Many of them are eaten as they sink toward the ocean floor. But others float all the way to the bottom—a trip that can take weeks. The snow falls all the way down even in the deepe…

1
Nocturn 5:11

10d ago5:11

5:11

A nocturne is a short musical composition: dreamy, romantic, suggestive of the night, a passage from one place to the next. This week we're asking: What comes next for our collective energy and focus? What it is that will get us safely from this place of climate crisis and uncertainty to another place of reinvention, newly-conceived solutions, and …

1
Distillation 4:48

10d ago4:48

4:48

What are the five areas of our collective existence on earth where the ocean matters most? If we are looking for a context to drive motivation and action, we have in our view the necessary clear focus through these absolutes--water, energy, food, health, and exchange--that can guide us toward a sustainable future, with the ocean at our center. A we…

1
Ship Killers 2:00

17d ago2:00

2:00

Killer whales near the Atlantic coast of Spain and Portugal have been living up to their name. From May 2020 through the end of 2023, they “killed” four boats and attacked hundreds of others. Marine biologists are still trying to explain why. They’re not the first reported whale attacks in that part of the world. In fact, the earliest known attacks…

51
Ship Killers 2:00

12d ago2:00

2:00

Killer whales near the Atlantic coast of Spain and Portugal have been living up to their name. From May 2020 through the end of 2023, they “killed” four boats and attacked hundreds of others. Marine biologists are still trying to explain why. They’re not the first reported whale attacks in that part of the world. In fact, the earliest known attacks…

1
Deadly Combo 2:00

19d ago2:00

2:00

According to an old saying, a rising tide floats all boats. And in the decades ahead, rising waters will threaten all coastal cities. As our planet gets warmer as the result of human activities, sea level is rising. So cities along the coast will see more flooding—more often, with higher water levels. But a recent study says the risk isn’t the same…

101
Deadly Combo 2:00

19d ago2:00

2:00

According to an old saying, a rising tide floats all boats. And in the decades ahead, rising waters will threaten all coastal cities. As our planet gets warmer as the result of human activities, sea level is rising. So cities along the coast will see more flooding—more often, with higher water levels. But a recent study says the risk isn’t the same…

1
Underwater Superstructures for Beginners 21:14

22d ago21:14

21:14

In this episode, we talk about ocean superstructures - a new scientific phrase that our guests hope start up some important conversations about how the bottom of the ocean was formed. Guests: Dr. Kevin Konrad -Assistant Professor of Geoscience and Director of the Nevada Isotope Geochronology Laboratory (NIGL) University of Nevada, Las VegasDr Val F…

101
Underwater Superstructures for Beginners 21:14

21d ago21:14

21:14

In this episode, we talk about ocean superstructures - a new scientific phrase that our guests hope start up some important conversations about how the bottom of the ocean was formed. Guests: Dr. Kevin Konrad -Assistant Professor of Geoscience and Director of the Nevada Isotope Geochronology Laboratory (NIGL) University of Nevada, Las VegasDr Val F…

1
Ancient Giants 2:00

26d ago2:00

2:00

In 1983, roadworkers cut a notch in a hillside in Lorraine, a region in northeastern France. Paleontology students examined the exposed layers of rock. They found fossils of an ancient sea creature. Scientists just recently studied the fossils in detail. They found that the fossils were the remains of a type of giant marine reptile that hadn’t been…

151
Ancient Giants 2:00

26d ago2:00

2:00

In 1983, roadworkers cut a notch in a hillside in Lorraine, a region in northeastern France. Paleontology students examined the exposed layers of rock. They found fossils of an ancient sea creature. Scientists just recently studied the fossils in detail. They found that the fossils were the remains of a type of giant marine reptile that hadn’t been…

1
Nature's Balance Sheet 5:06

1M ago5:06

5:06

In business, as in life, there is a balance sheet, a statement of assets, profit and loss, income and expense, showing whether our accounts are in balance, or not. In a consumption and production driven society, we must understand the asset value, balance and imbalance of our planet's natural resources: coal, oil, gas, minerals, water, and food: th…

1
Weaker Stream 2:00

1M ago2:00

2:00

The Gulf Stream plays a big role in the weather and climate on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. A recent study concluded that the Gulf Stream is slowing down. That could have an impact on everything from hurricanes to heatwaves. The Gulf Stream is a strong current of warm water. It starts in the Gulf of Mexico, then flows up the East Coast of the …

1
Weaker Stream 2:00

1M ago2:00

2:00

The Gulf Stream plays a big role in the weather and climate on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. A recent study concluded that the Gulf Stream is slowing down. That could have an impact on everything from hurricanes to heatwaves. The Gulf Stream is a strong current of warm water. It starts in the Gulf of Mexico, then flows up the East Coast of the …

1
What About the Land? 5:05

1M ago5:05

5:05

40% of the planet is used for farming and livestock, often degraded by unsustainable or destructive practices. Coupled with coastal, wetland and reclaimed land development in the name of urban expansion, we are fast-approaching a tipping point wherein infrastructure exceeds demand. What to do? Are we destined to repeat the mistakes of the past? Or …

1
Attractive Turbines 2:00

1M ago2:00

2:00

Many people like to have some “white noise” in the background while they work or sleep. And some fish seem to like it as well. A recent study found that young Atlantic cod were attracted to a background “hum” like that produced by offshore wind turbines. Researchers in Norway studied the impact of a low-frequency hum on 89 larval cod. They put the …

1
Attractive Turbines 2:00

2M ago2:00

2:00

Many people like to have some “white noise” in the background while they work or sleep. And some fish seem to like it as well. A recent study found that young Atlantic cod were attracted to a background “hum” like that produced by offshore wind turbines. Researchers in Norway studied the impact of a low-frequency hum on 89 larval cod. They put the …

1
Aqua-Cultural Thoughts 5:18

1M ago5:18

5:18

Seafood is a world staple, under siege by increased consumption and over-fishing. Aquaculture is the necessary alternative, yet is a polarizing issue in coastal communities. What are we to do? This week we explore two Maine-based successes in aquaculture that are building local supply chains, increasing resilience in rural communities, promoting en…

1
Voyage to the Northeast 2:00

2M ago2:00

2:00

One of the great quests of the 16th century was to find a northwest passage—a shortcut from Europe to Asia. Such a route would go through or above the lands of the New World. No one ever found it because there isn’t one. But the search gave European mapmakers and scientists a lot of information about the North American coastline. One example was a …

1
Voyage to the Northeast 2:00

2M ago2:00

2:00

One of the great quests of the 16th century was to find a northwest passage—a shortcut from Europe to Asia. Such a route would go through or above the lands of the New World. No one ever found it because there isn’t one. But the search gave European mapmakers and scientists a lot of information about the North American coastline. One example was a …

1
Ocean Lovin - Immaculate Shark-ception 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

It is February and we once again have our seasonal episode of Ocean Lovin - covering cool and strange ways ocean creatures make little ocean creatures. We speak with Dr. Christine Dungeon, a senior research fellow at the University of Queensland and the University of the Sunshine Coast about sharks and a peculiar story of immaculate shark-ception. …

1
Ocean Lovin - Immaculate Shark-ception 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

It is February and we once again have our seasonal episode of Ocean Lovin - covering cool and strange ways ocean creatures make little ocean creatures. We speak with Dr. Christine Dungeon, a senior research fellow at the University of Queensland and the University of the Sunshine Coast about sharks and a peculiar story of immaculate shark-ception. …

1
On the Decline 2:00

2M ago2:00

2:00

For the eastern North Pacific gray whale, it’s been an up-and-down few decades. The population had been decimated by whaling. Conservation efforts allowed the whales to rebound. But over the past few years, the numbers have dropped again. There are two populations of North Pacific gray whales. One is on the Asian side of the Pacific Ocean. The othe…

1
On the Decline 2:00

2M ago2:00

2:00

For the eastern North Pacific gray whale, it’s been an up-and-down few decades. The population had been decimated by whaling. Conservation efforts allowed the whales to rebound. But over the past few years, the numbers have dropped again. There are two populations of North Pacific gray whales. One is on the Asian side of the Pacific Ocean. The othe…

1
Ecological Overshoot, part two 5:12

2M ago5:12

5:12

"We are not blind to the overall problem, and if we were in doubt, recent climate-explained events, near and far, should open our eyes more widely. With climate conditions constantly in the news, public awareness must follow," says Peter Neill, director of the World Ocean Observatory. This week on World Ocean Radio we wrap up a two-part series with…

1
Whiter Clouds 2:00

2M ago2:00

2:00

People are always looking for ways to make things brighter and whiter—from teeth to laundry. They seldom think of brighter, whiter clouds. Yet whiter clouds are just as important as whiter bicuspids or T-shirts. They reflect more sunlight back into space, making our planet cooler. In recent years, scientists have discovered a great cloud whitener: …

1
Whiter Clouds 2:00

2M ago2:00

2:00

People are always looking for ways to make things brighter and whiter—from teeth to laundry. They seldom think of brighter, whiter clouds. Yet whiter clouds are just as important as whiter bicuspids or T-shirts. They reflect more sunlight back into space, making our planet cooler. In recent years, scientists have discovered a great cloud whitener: …

1
Ecological Overshoot, part one 4:51

2M ago4:51

4:51

In this episode and the next, World Ocean Radio reports on the status quo, business-as-usual, tunnel vision conclusions at COP28 in Dubai, hosted by the United Arab Emirates, December 2023. While many millions of dollars and intentions were pledged toward solutions, the focus and associated response was too narrow and inadequate to address the defi…

1
Bottom trawling and the Great Carbon Sink 14:07

3M ago14:07

14:07

The ocean is a vast and powerful carbon sink, absorbing about a quarter of the carbon dioxide we emit into the atmosphere. That carbon is pulled into the water column and is also buried under the layers of dirt and soil on the ocean floor. But this vital role could be jeopardized by a common fishing practice: bottom trawling. Today we will be talki…

1
Bottom trawling and the Great Carbon Sink 14:07

3M ago14:07

14:07

The ocean is a vast and powerful carbon sink, absorbing about a quarter of the carbon dioxide we emit into the atmosphere. That carbon is pulled into the water column and is also buried under the layers of dirt and soil on the ocean floor. But this vital role could be jeopardized by a common fishing practice: bottom trawling. Today we will be talki…

1
Global Climate Events 5:24

3M ago5:24

5:24

Devastating weather and water events abound worldwide. Rain, flooding, strong winds, extreme high tides, coastal erosion and inundation have caused havoc in ports and on waterfronts. These events are neither new nor are they going away any time soon. While we will continue to rebuild and revive, the time is now to plan a response as complicated as …

1
700 Episodes of World Ocean Radio: Thanks for Listening! 4:44

3M ago4:44

4:44

This week we are celebrating our 700th episode of World Ocean Radio--5-minute reflections featured as podcast and interstitial radio syndicate for 14 years. From these ongoing observations have come four books and continuous contribution toward a strategy to communicate the importance of healthy climate and ocean, a succession of examples, emphasis…

1
Uncharted - Scientists with Disabilities Navigating Their Experiences 30:12

4M ago30:12

30:12

People with disabilities are often marginalized, face isolation, lack representation and even ablism, no matter the industry or space. We speak to an old friend of the show about how this shows up in STEM and academia, and a project to collect stories from those impacted by this phenomenon in the form of a book of essays. So come join us where we t…

1
Uncharted - Scientists with Disabilities Navigating Their Experiences 30:12

4M ago30:12

30:12

People with disabilities are often marginalized, face isolation, lack representation and even ablism, no matter the industry or space. We speak to an old friend of the show about how this shows up in STEM and academia, and a project to collect stories from those impacted by this phenomenon in the form of a book of essays. So come join us where we t…

1
An End-of-Year Reading of "At the Fishhouses" 4:40

4M ago4:40

4:40

At each year's end, World Ocean Radio host Peter Neill reads "At The Fishhouses" by Elizabeth Bishop. This poem, a perennial favorite, was chosen not only for its relevance for the New Year, but also because it distills years of Bishop's seaside meditations and evokes the clarity of meaning contained in personal encounters with the world ocean. Abo…

1
Christmas At Sea 4:03

4M ago4:03

4:03

This holiday season on World Ocean Radio we return with a special reading of "Christmas at Sea", an evocative poem by Robert Louis Stevenson written in 1883. Stevenson, the son of a lighthouse engineer, had intimate knowledge of nor'westers... Merry Christmas to all from the World Ocean Observatory. Christmas at Sea A poem by Robert Louis Stevenson…

1
Marine Biomimetics, part three 5:14

4M ago5:14

5:14

In part three of this 3-part series, we continue to explore the recent publication related to marine biomimetics and the deep sea, identifying the seven broad categories of biomimetic design, discussing each with examples of application, technological invention, and as effective solution models for response to negative human intervention and climat…

1
Marine Biomimetics, part two 5:06

4M ago5:06

5:06

In these three episodes of World Ocean Radio we are exploring a recent publication entitled “A Forgotten Element in the Blue Economy: Marine Biomimetics and Inspiration from the Deep Sea,” authored by Robert Blasiak from the Stockholm Resilience Center in Sweden. The article identifies seven broad categories of biomimetic design: adhesion, anti-fou…

1
Don Walsh Revisisted 28:14

5M ago28:14

28:14

With the passing of Ocean Explorer and all around nice guy Don Walsh, we wanted to revisit our episode where we interviewed him about the anniversary of the Triseste dive.By Ocean Science Radio

1
Don Walsh Revisisted 28:14

5M ago28:14

28:14

With the passing of Ocean Explorer and all around nice guy Don Walsh, we wanted to revisit our episode where we interviewed him about the anniversary of the Triseste dive.By Ocean Science Radio

1
Marine Biomimetics, part one 5:04

5M ago5:04

5:04

Over the next few editions of World Ocean Radio we will be discussing a recent publication entitled “A Forgotten Element in the Blue Economy: Marine Biomimetics and Inspiration from the Deep Sea,” authored by Robert Blasiak from the Stockholm Resilience Center in Sweden. The article identifies seven broad categories of biomimetic design: adhesion, …

1
Two Steps Forward in a Changing Climate 5:18

6M ago5:18

5:18

This week on World Ocean Radio are two forward-looking government-proposed initiatives that offer opportunities for progress in climate policy, investment, resiliency and sustainability. The first is Bridgetown 2.0, proposed by the Prime Minister of Barbados, to urge UN member states to consider an ambitious finance-driven program of climate-change…

1
OceanX - Amphoras, Exploration, and Bioluminescence 23:28

6M ago23:28

23:28

Dr. Farabaugh is out sick so this episode is solo Andrew. We speak with Mattie Rodrique - the Science program Director for OceanX- about their work in ocean exploration, discovery, and storytelling while ALSO training the next generation of ocean explorers.By Ocean Science Radio

1
OceanX - Amphoras, Exploration, and Bioluminescence 23:28

6M ago23:28

23:28

Dr. Farabaugh is out sick so this episode is solo Andrew. We speak with Mattie Rodrique - the Science program Director for OceanX- about their work in ocean exploration, discovery, and storytelling while ALSO training the next generation of ocean explorers.By Ocean Science Radio

1
Insurance in a New Climate Era 5:16

6M ago5:16

5:16

We are aware of the key role played by insurance, more so as we face increasing events of extreme weather destruction. Government agencies are signaling policy and coverage shifts, and there is a growing realization that existing policies and programs are not adequate to the new realities. Insurance is fundamental yet largely invisible until it is …

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