Daily Archives: October 3, 2021

News Americas, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Fri. Oct. 1, 2021: A US $250 million Africa-Caribbean Trade and Investment Financing Facility could soon become a reality.

Thats according to President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Professor Benedict Oramah.

Speaking at a press conference this week during a visit to Barbados, Professor Oramah said they have agreed in principle that the African Export-Import Bank will put in place an initial amount of [US] $250 million in a facility called the Africa-Caribbean Trade and Investment Financing Facility.

We know that if they (banks and companies) want to do business among themselves, there is financing to support it, he added. We believe that is the first hurdle we must cross. And so, were going to go back and get our board tolook at it and consider it as quickly as possible.

Professor Oramah expressed the view that Africa and the Caribbean must begin with the low-hanging fruits and then work towards the more difficult areas.

He suggested that air and shipping links must be opened, and logistics facilities developed and pointed out Africa was working to diversify its economy and would also work to assist in varying that of the Caribbean region.

We cannot continue the old way because the old way has not worked for us. We have to find new ways, and finding new ways must be founded in our rootsthat bind us together as brothers and sisters, he insisted.

He also said there is a need to promote tourism between Africa and the Caribbean in a direct manner, so its not that Africans come to the Caribbean in a roundabout way.

We have to create direct relations that promote this. We have to find ways of also creating opportunities for investment for African businesses who want to invest in the Caribbean, and also for Caribbean businesses who want to invest in Africa, Professor Oramah stated.

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Get Ready For The Africa-Caribbean Trade and Investment Facility - Caribbean and Latin America Daily News - News Americas

It is no news that human impact has adversely affected marine biodiversity. A recent study that used fossilised shark scales found that Caribbean shark populations have witnessed a steep decline since the mid-Holocene. The Holocene is a time period in the history of the Earth that began 10,000 years ago.

Cartilaginous fish like sharks, sawfish and rays have tiny, sharp tooth-shaped scales on their bodies that help them move through the water and also prevent microorganisms from taking up lodging on sharks skin. These are called dermal denticles (dermal = of the skin, denticle = teeth-like). The study employed deposits of dermal denticles as proxies of past shark populations as well as their species composition. There are currently over 500 species of sharks.

Sediment study

In order to source mid-Holocene shark assemblages, researchers collected sediment containing denticles from the mid-Holocene reefs and compared them with those from the modern reefs.

Researchers identified five morphotypes of dermal denticles, with each corresponding to a particular ecological group of sharks. The approach allows for almost direct reconstruction of the past shark population size and species composition.

Almost all species of sharks witnessed a decline from the mid-Holocene to the present. Shark abundance in the mid-Holocene was nearly thrice higher than the present-day reefs.

Denticles corresponding to pelagic sharks registered the largest reduction in number. By contrast, the demersal sharks did not show that much of a decline. Pelagic organisms are those that are attached to the surface of the ocean, while demersal or benthic organisms live at the bottom.In the present day, benthic sharks are more abundant in number than pelagic sharks like the fast swimming requiem and hammerhead sharks that live near the shore.

The authors note the possible reasons for this shift it could be that sharks of the yesteryears could have been larger, resulting in more denticle accumulation.

Role of overfishing

The decline in shark numbers post-industrialisation in Caribbean reefs also bears a close resemblance to the decline observed in this study from the mid-Holocene to the present day.

Another recent study published in 2020 found, via video monitoring, that overfishing had almost entirely exterminated sharks from several reefs. Indeed, historical records from the early twentieth or nineteenth centuries talk of seas teeming with sharks, and early second millennium CE archaeological records also show evidence of shark teeth.

Substantial degradation in the populations of not only sharks but marine carnivores, in general, took place. well before coral disease and bleaching

The authors note how modern-day Panamanian fisheries selectively catch pelagic sharks, which implicates overfishing as a key factor in reducing numbers of pelagic sharks, as noted above.

But what about the decline in the numbers of nurse sharks, that live close to the bottom of the ocean and have little monetary value? Could a reason other than overfishing be at play? Coastal development, land clearing, and agriculture have all had their share of the blame, leading to the low oxygen content in water, disease, bleaching a pattern observed across the Caribbean. That, and overfishing targets not only sharks but also other fish that serve as food for sharks.

The ecological impacts of reduction in the populations of sharks and marine carnivores, such as that on food webs, are still in the process of being studied.

The authors hope that diving into ancient fossil palimpsests that predate human impact could help in setting more robust baselines for biodiversity restoration targets in these areas.

The author is a freelance science communicator. (mail[at]ritvikc[dot]com)

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How human exploitation dwindled Caribbean shark communities, a study finds out - The Indian Express

Royal Caribbean is sending Spectrum of the Seas to homeport in Singapore in 2022 and the three to nine night cruises are now open for bookings.

Built to deliver memorable vacation experiences, the first Quantum Ultra Class ship boasts the cruise lines first private enclave for suite guests, innovative dining concepts, and stunning features and adventures many of which have never been seen at sea.

We are thrilled to introduce a whole spectrum of new adventures with Spectrum of the Seas, which features groundbreaking escapades exclusively designed for the Asian market, a testament to Royal Caribbeans confidence in the potential of the cruising industry in the region. We have seen a surge in repeat cruisers, as well as a significant number of new to cruise guests, and look forward to bringing the best of the Royal Caribbean experience to our guests, said Angie Stephen, vice president, Singapore, Royal Caribbean International. At the same time, we are excited to extend Quantums ultimate ocean getaways once again through early next year to continue catering to the strong demand for sailings from Singapore.

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Guests on board Spectrum will savour an exotic array of Asian-inspired cuisine consisting of teppanyaki and hot pot-style dining, as well as an entertainment extravaganza touching on the cultures, colors, music and dance styles of China, Persia and India.Spectrum offers the perfect combination of high-tech experiences, providing adventure-loving guests a wealth of onboard adventures including the following:

Asias first Sky Pad, a virtual reality, bungee trampoline adventure where guests strap in and don a headset to transport themselves to another time and planet.

Royal Caribbeans first and exclusive Suite Enclave, which features the exquisite Royal Suite Class Star, Sky and Sea accommodations in a private area supremely positioned at the forward end of the ship. Guests booked in these luxury suites have exclusive floor access, an elevator, private restaurants, and a dedicated lounge area.

Cutting-edge and transformative venues such as Two70. Boasting stunning 270-degree ocean views by day and transforming into a multidimensional theater by night, this transformative space flaunts six agile Roboscreens, breathtaking live performers and mind-bending aerialists to create unimaginable visuals. Meanwhile, SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea, features bumper cars, interactive gaming, laser tag, fencing, archery, and more.

Star Moment, a lively and energetic karaoke venue where family and friends can belt out and sing like stars.

Spacious and family friendly staterooms, ranging from exterior balcony staterooms to family friendly interconnected rooms, to the signature two-level Ultimate Family Suite, an expansive, multiroom retreat complete with its own ensuite slide and cinema, which also doubles as a karaoke stage.

A bold lineup of signature activities, including the FlowRider surf simulator, the North Star, an all-glass capsule that ascends 300 feet above the ocean to deliver incomparable 360-degree views; and RipCord by iFly, the first sky diving experience at sea.Nineteen distinct dining options serve up flavors from around the world, including Hot Pot, an authentic Chinese dining experience; Teppanyaki, a celebration of authentic oriental flavors cooked in Japans traditional teppanyaki style; and Sichuan Red, a new specialty dining experience tailored just for Spectrum, where diners can savour a bold tapestry of authentic spices and Sichuan flavours. Signature classics include imaginative cuisine at Wonderland, top-notch, aged beef at Chops Grille, and authentic rustic fare and handmade pasta at Jamies Italian.

The global cruise operator continues to implement health and safety measures as needed, in line with its Royal Promise commitment. In addition to robust onboard ventilation systems, enhanced cleaning and sanitization as well as having its crew vaccinated, the cruise line will also require all guests to be fully vaccinated for all new bookings made from October 1, 2021, and onwards.

The vaccine requirement is one of the many layers of measures that safeguard the well-being of guests, crew and the communities at each destination visited, and Royal Caribbean will continue to evaluate and update its measures as circumstances evolve with various government and health authorities.

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Royal Caribbean Sending Spectrum of the Seas to Singapore in 2022 - Cruise Fever

Sir Richard Bransons newest private-island destination is officially open, according to Virgin Limited Edition.

The-125 acre Moskito Island, set in the heart of the British Virgin Islands, is the newest jewel in the Caribbean, Virgin says.

The islands accommodations are set across three estates: The Oasis Estate, the Point Estate and the Branson Estate.

The Oasis Estate sleeps up to 18 guests; with The Point facilitating 14 guests and eight children and the 11-bedroom The Branson sleeping up to 22 guests (The Branson comes with its own private beach.).

The Point and The Oasis are both new developments.

The Oasis, set on the highest point of Moskito Island, has nine rooms, including a four-story main house with everything from a swim-up pool bar to a billiards and movie room.

The Point is a cliffside villa on Moskitos Manchioneel Beach, with a massive infinity pool and broad views of the water.

In keeping with the style of Bransons other British Virgin Islands private destination, Necker Island, the island is all about enjoying nature and the BVIs marine environment.

That means a broad selection of watersports and other activities, along with options like boat excursions, spa treatments and communal spaces to enjoy time with other guests on the island.

The island has been 14 years in the making, according to Virgin.

Moskito Island is the newest, and one of the most exclusive, private islands in the Caribbean, the company says.

Both the Point Estate and the Oasis will be available for exclusive buyouts beginning Oct. 10, the company said.

For more, visit Virgin Limited Edition.

CJ

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Richard Branson's Newest Caribbean Private Island Is Open - Caribbean Journal

The worlds island nations are the most vulnerable to climate change but also the most dependent on tourism revenue.

Come visit the Maldives, its president entreated the world at this years United Nations General Assembly, moments before switching to an impassioned plea for help combating climate change. The adjacent appeals illustrated a central dilemma for many small island developing states: their livelihoods or their lives?

The United Nations recognizes 38 member states, scattered across the worlds waters, as small island developing states grouped together because they face unique social, economic and environmental challenges.

This bloc is particularly vulnerable to climate change. This bloc is also particularly dependent on tourisma significant driver of climate change, accountable for 8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions alone, according to sustainable tourism expert Stefan Gsslingand an industry devastated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The predicament these islands find themselves in is essentially recursive: Attract tourism for economic survival, which in turn contributes to climate change, which in turn bleaches the colorful reefs and destroys the pristine beaches that attract tourists. As is, by the end of the century, these low-lying islands could drown entirely.

The difference between 1.5 degrees and 2 degrees is a death sentence for the Maldives, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih told the U.N. General Assembly last week.

The annual summit is an opportunity for each of the international bodys 193 members to step into the spotlight on the world stage. But the Maldivesperhaps best known globally as an Indian Ocean playground for moneyed honeymooners and Bollywood celebritieshad a particularly high-profile platform this year. Its foreign minister is serving as the General Assemblys president and Solih was speaking third overall, just after U.S. President Joe Biden.

But the climate change appeals are nothing new, made year after year as these islands are pummeled by storms and the seas rise like a slow-moving killer, as Colgate Universitys April Baptiste puts it.

Baptiste, a professor of environmental studies as well as Africana and Latin American studies, researches environmental justice in the Caribbean region. She says the island states appeals had gone ignored for years because they were essentially seen as dispensable. With little land, political power, and financial capital, it was easy to overlook their plight. These are also islands with a history of exploitation that dates back centuries and states whose full-time residentsnot touristsare primarily Black and brown.

You have that layer of race, racism, marginality to take into consideration, she said. I absolutely believe thats at the heart of the conversation as to why small island developing states are not taken seriously.

People and governments have taken matters into their own hands over recent years.

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One man from the island nation of Kiribati sought refugee status in New Zealand on the basis that climate change posed an existential threat to his homeland, though he was eventually deported. This past week, Vanuatu announced it would seek to bring climate change before the International Court of Justice. Although largely symbolicany ruling would not be legally bindingthe move, as intended by the government, seeks to clarify international law.

Last month, a group of Pacific island nations, contending with encroaching saltwater that destroys crops and pollutes freshwater supplies, took the step of declaring their traditional sea boundaries would remain intact, even if their coastlines shrank beneath the waves.

Gssling, a professor at Swedens Linnaeus University School of Business and Economics, and Daniel Scott, a geography and environmental management professor at Canadas University of Waterloo, are two creators of the Climate Change Vulnerability Index for Tourism. With the aim of bringing the issue to policymakers attention, they identified the countries with tourism economies most at risk from climate change. The small island developing states made up a substantial portion of the list.

The Maldives identified this years ago and they pointed out: Were going to continue our tourism development, because thats the only way we can make money in the next couple decades before our islands are lost, Scott said.

For the small island developing states, this central climate change tension between lives and livelihood is mirrored in their response to the coronavirus pandemic. To prevent the viruss spread and save lives, they closed their borders, and their tourism-focused economies were accordingly ravaged over the past 18 months.

Mauritius isnt wholly dependent on tourism, but that sector does make up a significant amount of its foreign revenue, says the permanent representative to the United Nations for the tiny Indian Ocean island east of Madagascar. Its borders fully reopen in October, and Jagdish Koonjul said Mauritius hopes to attract 650,000 tourists between then and next summer.

Mauritius, Koonjul said, is very lucky compared to others in the bloc because of its economic diversification, relatively high land, and coral reef that prevents erosion.

But its not safe from climate change. Mauritius and other small island developing states are looking to the bigger, more industrialized countries to buy into an ambitious commitment at the upcoming United Nations climate conference in Glasgow.

We miss this train now, and we are doomed, Koonjul said.

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The scores of speeches at this years U.N. General Assembly tended to follow a rubric. They opened with pleasantries directed at the General Assemblys president and then touched on a laundry list of topics: perhaps a pet issue, but definitely conflict, coronavirus, and climate change. The rhetoric often blended together but the speeches from the leaders of the small island developing stateswith the most to lose in the near futurestood out with stark eloquence echoing Koonjul.

Will Tuvalu remain a member state of the U.N. if it is finally submerged? Who will help us? asked Kausea Natano, the prime minister of the Pacific Ocean country, on Saturday.

The states had specific asks, including immediate and significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, debt restructuring, and financial assistance, especially given the impact of the coronavirus on their tourism-dependent economies.

Industrialized countries have an obligation to assist the states most affected by climate change because they created a problem in the first instance, Gaston Browne, prime minister of the Caribbean Seas Antigua and Barbuda, said Saturday.

The same day, St. Vincent and the Grenadines prime minister Ralph Gonsalves cast the major powers actions thus far as little more than pious mouthings and marginal tinkering.

On this, humanity is at the midnight hour. Can we meet the challenge? We may not live to find out the answer if the usual continues, the Caribbean nations premier said.

Salvaging the economic fate of these countries is complex. Baptiste says theres no overarching policy aimed at retraining people whose livelihoods are vulnerable in new trades.

And Gssling argues that, while theyre not the culprits behind global warming, the small island developing states arent directly confronting the friction between climate change prevention measures and their tourism reliance.

I also think theres never been serious efforts by the [small island developing states] to actually also consider different economic sectors, because very often its been very self-evident that you would focus on tourism, you would develop for tourism, and that you, by definition, then almost would become dependent on tourism, he said. And I think the strange thingthis conflict has never been vocalized by [small island developing states].

What has been vocalized is a clarion call for substantive action taken by rich, developed countries. Now that the ramifications of climate change have reached countries that could long pretend it didnt exist, the small island developing states hope the message is finally getting through.

The poet John Donne wrote that no man is an island entire of itself. In the same vein, Solih drove home the point the island nations have been making for years: There is no guarantee of survival for any one nation in a world where the Maldives cease to exist.

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Can the Maldives and Caribbean Islands Encourage Tourism While Safeguarding the Environment? - AFAR Media

Hello, Friday! We're kicking off this Friday with a new kind of daily newsletter. Patch USVI is rounding up the top stories from across the Territory and delivering them to your inbox every morning. So you can stay up-to-date on the latest news, the best upcoming events, and even what folks are saying on social media. So let's get caught up on what's happening across the Territory, shall we?

First, today's weather:

A stray afternoon t-storm. High: 87 Low: 80. Saturday is going to be rainy, which is a great excuse to leave work early on Friday.

Check out these stories from across the Territory:

Today's US Virgin Islands Daily is brought to you by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community and to get access to this amazing technology click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in US Virgin Islands!

An event worth watching:

What else is happening on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix?

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You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for another update. And if you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

Ashleigh Baldwin

About me: Hi there! I'm the Patch Community News Editor for the U.S. Virgin Islands. I'm here to provide news you can use. Do you have a news tip, question or feedback? Please contact me at ashleigh.baldwin@patch.com or 215-534-1014.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming US Virgin Islands Daily? I'm all ears. You can email me at ashleigh.baldwin@patch.com.

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Royal Caribbean Is Doubling Down On The USVI - Patch.com

It was in 2011 that a band of seaweed longer than the entire Brazilian coastline sprouted in the tropical Atlantic, mystifying scientists as the area is known for its lack of nutrients that would feed such growth. A decade later scientists might finally have some answers, or at least some prime suspects.

A group of U.S. researchers believe they catched the perpetrator: human sewage and agricultural runoff carried by rivers to the ocean.

The science is not yet definitive. This nutrient-charged outflow is just one of several likely culprits fueling an explosion of seaweed in the warm waters of the Americas. Six scientists told Reuters they suspect a complex mix of climate change, Amazon rainforest destruction and dust blowing west from Africa's Sahara Desert may be fueling mega-blooms of the dark-brown seaweed known as sargassum.

In June 2018, scientists recorded 20 million metric tons (20 billion kilogram) of seaweed, a 1,000% increase compared with the 2011 bloom for that month.

"There are probably multiple factors" driving the growth, said oceanographer Ajit Subramaniam at Columbia University. "I would be surprised if there is one clear villain."

Still, a recent study examining the chemistry of seaweed from the 1980s up to 2019 offers the strongest evidence yet that water coming from city and farm runoff has been a major contributor to expansion of the so-called Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, which now stretches for nearly 9,000 kilometers.

That study, co-authored by biologist Brian Lapointe at Florida Atlantic University, found that sargassum collected recently in coastal waters from Brazil to the southern United States, and including several Caribbean nations, contained levels of nitrogen that were 35% higher on average than in samples taken more than three decades earlier. The findings were published in May in the journal Nature Communications.

Nitrogen is found in human and animal waste and in fertilizers. The results suggest that sewage and farm runoff that's flowing into rivers throughout the Americas and then on to the ocean is feeding offshore sargassum growth. Currents carry much of this seaweed to the Caribbean Sea, where it's bedeviling the region's tourism-dependent coastal economies.

The samples also showed, for example, a 111% rise in the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus during the same time frame. That ratio has been nearly constant across the world's oceans going back decades. The change suggests the water chemistry has been radically altered.

The researchers singled out the Amazon River for particular scrutiny.

As global temperatures rise, scientists believe that rainstorms are intensifying in certain areas of the globe, including over the Amazon. Those storms are increasing the frequency of extreme flooding, which likely is pushing more nitrogen-rich runoff out to sea, Lapointe told Reuters, in a sequence he calls "a double whammy."

Experts note that peak Amazon River flooding pushes a plume of nutrients hundreds of kilometers out to sea in March and April, coinciding with major sargassum blooms. From there, currents push the seaweed around the coast of Venezuela into the Caribbean Sea and sometimes even farther north into the Gulf of Mexico.

Climate change is also fueling stronger hurricanes, which at sea are pulling more nutrients up from the seabed to potentially fertilize sargassum.

Scientists have also theorized that dust from the Sahara Desert, along with smoke and ash, could be contributing to the seaweed boom. As the particles are blown westward over the Atlantic Ocean, they run into clouds and get rained down as fertilizing iron and phosphorus deposits in the water.

Proving exactly how much each of these factors might be contributing to sargassum's growth will take years of funding and research. But scientists say that doesn't mean governments can't act now to reverse the trend.

"This phenomenon will continue until there is a change in public policy," said Carlos Noriega, an oceanographer at Brazil's Federal University of Pernambuco. Brazil, for example, could slow deforestation, which has led to a boom in cattle ranching that allows loose soil, manure and fertilizer to wash into rivers.

He also noted the burgeoning human population in Brazil's Amazon region. The five largest cities there have grown by nearly 900,000 people since 2010, and much of the region lacks sufficient sewage treatment.

"Treating sewage and stopping deforestation, that's the only way to control it," Noriega said.

Original post:

Anything to do with Bermuda? Caribbean seaweed mystery | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah

Jewels Caribbean, 2230 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., will be debuting an expanded CBD and Delta 8 menu beginning Saturday, Oct. 2.

The bar, restaurant and entertainment venue first debuted a selection of cannabidiol (CBD)-infused foods including jerk wings, chocolate chip cookies, coco butter cocktails and margaritas during their 4/20 Day celebration in 2019. But the items were popular enough that they continued to offer CBD-infused desserts and CBD-infused cocktail upgrades on a regular basis.

We wanted to offer a place with great ambiance where people could actually partake in the products they buy while listening to great music and no judgments, says co-owner Natasha Jules.

Thus far, most places that sell both CBD and Delta 8 are strictly retail and their edible lines are very limited. I have yet to see packaged Jerk Chicken Spring Rolls with CBD at a retail shop.

Of course, the new CBD8 Bar takes the usual offerings to a new level, adding Delta 8 options as well.

Guests can still enjoy items from the regular food menu, including choices like Jewels signature burgers, available with a choice of jerk or plain mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and fries ($10.95); jerk chicken with rice and peas and sauteed cabbage ($13.95) along with curry fish served with rice and vegetables ($14.95) and sides like fried sweet plantains ($5).

Desserts include chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies and brownies ($3 each). But guests can also upgrade to CBD-infused edibles for $5.

New Delta 8 offerings include Flamin Hot Cheetos ($10, 100 mg D8); Doritos ($10, 100 mg D8); nutty nougat squares ($30, 100 mg D8), cookies ($10, 50 mg D8) and brownies ($10, 50 mg D8). Guests can also indulge in Grape Ape shots, lemonade slushies or honey buns for $6-$8.

The new CBD8 Bar will be featured every Saturday evening through the month of November. On Oct. 2, the new menu will be accompanied by Hip Hop Night with a $5 cover charge at the door.

Jewels Caribbean is open Fridays from 5 p.m. to midnight and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The rest is here:

New CBD8 Bar to premiere at Jewels Caribbean this weekend - OnMilwaukee.com

The University of Bergen invites students on board the Norwegian sailing ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl on an adventurous voyage in the Caribbean and in the Pacific Ocean.

The sailing ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl left the port of Arendal in Norway in the end of August 2021 and set sail for its circumnavigation One Ocean Expedition.

During the next year and a half, the Norwegian sailing ship will be on its longest voyage ever. The One Ocean Expedition is a part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The main goal is to create attention and share knowledge about the crucial role of the ocean for a sustainable development in a global perspective.

The ship is equipped with modern instruments and will collect high-quality data of ocean physics, chemistry, and biology continuously throughout the journey. It will also serve as a floating university, bringing crews of students and young leaders together at different legs. High-level meetings and public events will happen during port visits.

Real-time access to data, video and stories from the ship will serve to inspire and engage not only scientists but also citizens for ocean-based action towards sustainable development worldwide. You can follow the expedition via oneoceanexpedition.com.

The University of Bergen is one of several partners to the expedition. Our researchers will use the data from the ship, and we will take students on board on two courses.

In November 2021 the course SDG313 will be conducted on board the ship in the Caribbean Sea. The field course focuses on causes, consequences, and solutions to the climate challenges.

This year, our Climate Action field course focused on SDG-13 and Agenda2030 includes a highly interdisciplinary group of students from many different countries, including Norway, North America, Africa and the Caribbean. The voyage starts in Curaao, with a stop in Jamaica and ends in Cuba. In each port the students will host local school children, who will be introduced to climate and ocean sustainability through hands-on activities on deck. In addition to the modern oceanographic and meteorological instruments onboard, we are bringing a replica of a 1000-meter-long original hemp rope. With the students we will repeat and hope to calibrate some of. the important original measurements of ocean temperature and salinity that were made during the first global oceanographic expedition in history on board the sailing vessel HMS Challenger 150 years ago, says UiB professor Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu who is responsible for the course thought in the Caribbean.

Pacific sailing

After arriving in Havana, the ship continues, first north toward New York, before turning again and sailing south along South America, around Cape Horn in Chile, and to the port city of Valparaso, where the University of Bergen is mustering with 90 students in May 2022.

On an adventurous voyage across the Pacific Ocean, UiB takes the students on a very special semester. For four intensive months, the students will study sustainability through the course SDG200 at the same time as they live and are trainees at Statsraad Lehmkuhl.

How often do you get the opportunity to sail across the Pacific Ocean and visit destinations such as Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Palau? This is a fantastic opportunity, says an enthusiastic associate professor at UiB, Katja Enberg.

Interdisciplinary sustainability topic

Enberg will lead UiB's four-month stage in the Pacific Ocean and looks forward to bringing students on board the ship. The new course, SDG200, addresses knowledge from various disciplines - which is crucial to solving the challenges of the future.

Students will learn what opportunities exist to solve the sustainability challenges, and how to work together across disciplines to find solutions. Interdisciplinarity is essential to be able to solve sustainability challenges and teaching and learning in interdisciplinary groups forces us to look at the challenges from different points of view. Therefore, the course is open to students with any disciplinary background, she says.

Trainees on the ship

The voyage from Valparaso to Palau is as much as 12,000 nautical miles (over 22,000 kilometers). Along the way, the students will be trainees on the ship, and participate in duties on board Statsraad Lehmkuhl. The ship is often far from land, and the students must therefore have good physical health (get a seafarers medical certificate before boarding) and be mentally prepared to be on a sailing ship without internet and mobile coverage over long periods of time. For example, the first leg from Valparaso to Tahiti is a full 36 days at sea without setting foot on land.

The students are divided into three shifts, each working twice four hours every day. When you are on duty, you are assigned specific tasks, such as standing at the helm, have the man over board watch, being a fire guard or galley guard - and of course hoisting up, lowering and adjusting sails! For the remaining 16 hours, the students study, rest and eat, Enberg says, and continues: Because all the students need to contribute in order to make the ship travel from one port to another, this voyage is a perfect parallel to how we need to tackle the sustainability challenges if some are neglecting their responsibilities, everyone will suffer.

This article was first published on October 1 by University of Bergen.

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Bergen: Floating university to gather ocean data from Norway to Caribbean - Science Business