Name: Plankton, space, Earth and us
Uploaded: 2022-12-02T18:40:41Z
Duration: 9 min 40 s
Description: Why would a spacefaring organization like NASA be looking down at the ocean's microscopic ecosystem? Bridget Seegers of NASA's Ocean Ecology Lab explains why, delving into the ways plankton serve as a barometer for Earth's health while influencing everything from human health to our food supply.

Why would a spacefaring organization like NASA be looking down at the ocean's microscopic ecosystem? Bridget Seegers of NASA's Ocean Ecology Lab explains why, delving into the ways plankton serve as a barometer for Earth's health while influencing everything from human health to our food supply. 

Plankton, space, Earth and us

Microscopic plankton, invisible to the naked eye yet visible from space, shape the planet's climate and sustain ocean life. Just a teaspoon of seawater can contain millions of these organisms, which together produce half of Earth's oxygen and absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide. When harmful algal blooms erupt, they threaten health, economies, and ecosystems, but satellites now help track these dangers. By understanding plankton and our own impact, humanity can act as powerful agents of planetary change.