Sea Ice and Curiosity

Part II aims to establish communication between marine science and the arts by giving the ocean a voice. The first topic is the dynamics and thermodynamics of sea ice and related threats due to global warming. When seen from the geophysical scale, sea ice is a beautiful and fragile plastic–viscous material sensitive to changes in heat fluxes, snow, and wind. It protects the underlying water and serves as a medium for life for many marine species, from ice algae to polar bears. Should humans be fearful, their souls frozen at the ultimately violent use of fossil fuels that has caused the melting of sea ice? The ocean responds by challenging us to cultivate our curiosity. The conclusion is that curiosity is a much better attitude toward the ocean than either fear or guilt.