Essential Question:
How are climate, cultures and oceans all connected?
Introduction
With ocean covering more than 70% of the planet's surface, it's safe to say that water provides another good example of how on Earth, everything is connected.
For millennia, cultures have relied on the oceans for transportation, food and other vital resources. It's no wonder more than 50% of all people on Earth live within 50 miles of a coast. And it's no wonder so many of Alaska's indigenous cultures are closely connected to the sea. But ultimately, all cultures share a vital connection to Earth's extraordinary oceans, as we will soon explore.
There are many excellent reasons to deepen our understanding of our oceans; World famous ocean explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle has said, "I think there's a perception we have already explored the sea. The reality is we know more about Mars than we know about the oceans."
Until recent, the longest mountain chain, the tallest mountain and the deepest canyon were understood as terrestrial features. But in less than one human life-time we have since discovered that, in fact, these great features are found under the sea. The list of ocean superlatives and fascinating facts is long and growing longer every day as we learn more about this seemingly alien world found at our shores.
To study our oceans is to open up a tremendous number of possible topics. For the purposes of this module, we will focus scientifically on the role the ocean plays in absorbing and distributing thermal energy; Culturally, we'll explore the myriad connections that many Alaska Natives share with the sea.
