12. Non-living Ocean Resources and Hope

After studying humans’ effects on living marine resources, we now turn our attention to non-living marine resources. Mineral oil formed from phytoplankton illustrates the close connection between living and non-living resources and represents the most important fossil energy source today. The search for new oil and gas sources is intense, and increasing interest in ocean exploration for oil and gas, even in deep ocean areas, entails many environmental risks. Will humans’ hunger for oil and gas destroy the ocean or be satisfied in an environmentally wise and sustainable manner? The ocean reminds us that deep inside all of us there is both light and shadow, and that we can easily give into destructive desires. A mental change is needed, encouraging humans to start working together to generate global cooperation and hope.