Undersea fiber optic cables have a significant role to play in climate change studies as they have the potential to show crucial oceanographic features, including temperature, pressure, pH, conductivity and salinity, said Shreya Gautam.
The New York-based researcher has a notable experience on the reliability and network management of undersea fibre optic cable systems. She also highlighted the cables’ capability to monitor seismic activities such as tsunamis and earthquakes.
Cables Helping Climate Change Studies
Gautam recently shared her expertise with scientists at the Goa-based CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), that is known to conduct regular seminars and faculty interaction by inviting researchers from different fields.
The expert highlighted during the virtual talk that undersea fibre optic cables can go beyond their conventional role in telecommunications to become tools in comprehending and monitoring crucial aspects of the oceans and the earth’s dynamic systems.
Gautam noted that the systems can pave the way for innovations in environmental monitoring and disaster management. She provided a comprehensive overview of the cables, exploring the current technologies and predicting future advancements.
NIO director Sunil Kumar Singh said: “Scientists were very happy to learn these advancements and acknowledged that this kind of database can even be utilised for climate change studies.” The virtual talk comes against a backdrop of increasing focus on climate action.
Global Transition Away From Fossil Fuels
The UAE recently hosted the COP28 climate conference at Expo City Dubai. The Summit marked an early success on its first day itself as participants reached a historic agreement to operationalise the Loss and Damage Fund to compensate developing countries.
Read More: 5 Climate Trends That Suggest All Is Not Lost
In addition, for the first time in the history of the climate talks, negotiators from almost 200 countries agreed a deal to reduce global consumption of polluting fossil fuels, in order to prevent the damaging impacts of the climate crisis.
