Ocean Plastics

How harmful are they, and how do we know?

Plastics are one of the most common substances in everyday life, found in everything from toothbrushes to cell towers. Now they have spread throughout the ocean, with surprising–and costly–consequences for us and for our ocean planet.

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Season 5, Episode 3
Originally aired April 12, 2023

Speakers & Host:

Sarah Dunlop

Head, Plastics & Human Health, Minderoo Foundation

Kara Lavender Law

Oceanographer, Sea Education Association

John Stegeman

Ocean toxicologist, WHOI

Veronique Lacapra

Host and Director of Special Projects, WHOI

SEASONS All Climate & Weather How the Ocean Works Ocean & Human Lives Ocean Life Ocean Tech Sustainable Ocean

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Small but Mighty

Microscopic marine life and its outsized role in the ocean

Season 6, Episode 4

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Seabirds

Season 6, Episode 1

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Becoming a Marine Biologist

What it takes, and where it can take you

Season 5, Episode 6

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Jellies — The surprising role of gelatinous creatures in ocean and human health

The surprising role of gelatinous creatures in ocean and human health

Season 5, Episode 2

Hydrothermal vents Ocean Encounters event title

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Hydrothermal Vents

Like geysers and hot springs on land, hydrothermal vents form in volcanic regions on the ocean bottom, gushing hot, mineral-rich fluids from beneath the seafloor.

Season 5, Episode 1

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Giving Reefs a Chance

Coral reefs are in trouble. We have already lost more than half of the world’s reefs in just 50 years, while climate change, pollution, and other stressors continue to decimate what remains of these biodiverse and beautiful ecosystems.

Season 4, Episode 4

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Seaweed Solutions

As our climate continues to change and food insecurity grows worldwide, scientists and others are looking to solve these problems without harming marine ecosystems.

Season 4, Episode 1

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Weirdly Wonderful: Creatures of the Twilight Zone

The twilight zone is a place of wonder, mystery, and abundance that reminds us our choices mean the difference between a future of loss and sustainability.

Season 3, Episode 5

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Alvin: Ocean Discovery at New Depths

Hear from a volcanologist, a marine biologist, and Alvin’s senior pilot about how the iconic sub enables scientific discovery in the far reaches of Earth’s ocean.

Season 3, Episode 4

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Saving the North Atlantic Right Whale

The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most endangered whales in the world, with an estimated 340 left on the planet. How can we explore partnerships and solutions for their survival?

Season 3, Episode 2