Competitors in The Ocean Race are undertaking the world’s longest and toughest sailing competition, covering an exhausting 36,000-mile trip around the globe. The race is about much more than glory and winning, as participants are also citizen scientists tasked with collecting data on climate change’s impact on the world’s oceans. The competition began in January, and teams from across the world started in Spain before sailing down Africa’s coast and crossing the Indian and Southern Oceans to reach Brazil. From there, they sailed up the eastern coast of the Americas before crossing the Atlantic and heading towards Denmark, where the race’s final two legs will take place. The competition concludes in late June in Italy.
The 11th Hour Racing Team, representing the USA in the race, includes skipper Charlie Enright, who harnesses hydrofoils to push his 60-ft sailboat to speeds as high as 50 miles per hour. During the race, Enright and his team have undergone various repairs while also gathering data on climate change’s impact through their onboard tools. Each team involved is tracking how climate change is affecting the oceans, which are absorbing 90% of the excess heat generated by planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. The oceans produce approximately 50% of the oxygen needed by humans, making their well-being crucial for life on the planet.
The sailing competition, in collaboration with its science program, serves as the first scientific expedition within the sailing world, according to Lucy Hunt, who works on the science program. Highly-trained personnel aboard the high-speed boats continuously measure ocean data, from sea surface temperatures to oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. The scientists have also discovered microplastics in almost all the water samples they’ve collected to date. All data collected by racers is sent to a satellite in real-time, extending globally. Additionally, the boats gather data from areas rarely studied by scientific teams, making the information they provide especially noteworthy.
During the race’s third leg, sailors travelled the Southern Ocean, otherwise known as the Antarctic Ocean, for 38 days, an expedition shared with the US government by deploying operational buoys. Jon Hare, a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, stated that the data produced by these buoys provides invaluable insight into weather prediction, particularly in predicting extreme events like hurricanes. Enright and his team agree that gathering climate data is the competition’s most critical aspect, driving their passion to find solutions to the planet’s pressing issues.
CBS News Senior National and Environmental Correspondent, Ben Tracy, reported on the event.
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