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... What I really learned, or I guess I had to be reminded, is that we are not alone. Mankind, myself included, become too concerned in our own daily lives to really understand that we are part of a fantastic, finely tuned relationship. Everything (man, the large and small animals of the earth, the atmosphere in which we live, and the waters covering over 85% of the Earth) are connected. If you change or damage one, you also will be changed or damaged. Within the chemistry laboratory on board the Roger Revelle we tested for oxygen, chlorine, nitrates and other chemicals within the sediment. Why? We have found that over the years mankind has been slowly changing his world. Yes, you can point to many things good that we have done ( life span lengthen, better health, easier living, etc.) but we have also been creating changes in the Earth we may not be able to change back. Our ocean and its partner the atmosphere have been changed by mankind. Higher levels of carbon dioxide and other hydrocarbons are found. Heavy metals and other pollutants are increasing. Average temperatures are changing throughout the world.The RV Roger Revelle and ships like her are all concerned with first measuring the changes we are doing to the Earth. What effect it will ultimately have on mankinds survival on this Earth will depend on how we interpret these findings and act.
(There is more but I just thought some might like this part.)
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