In the News: Moby-Dick and the Future Seas

via GIPHY

As the climate talks in Paris come to a close - and as we wrap up GIF week with Deep Sea News - we learn more about ancient and recent marine collections that might save our warming seas. This week, we read about a miniature "Moby-Dick" from ancient times, the future of the Mediterranean, citizen science efforts, and more:

• Whale fossils discovered in the 1880s have contributed to a new genus of ancient sperm whale, named after the great, white whale in Melville’s Moby-Dick: “‘White Whale’ Is A Ghost Of Sperm Whales’ Past,” PLOS Paleo (09 December 2015) 

• Do you listen for the ocean in shells? The field of conchology might be for you, offering rich opportunities to collect and document the world around you: “The Conchologists: Searching For Seashells In 19th Century America,” Biodiversity Heritage Library (23 July 2015)

• Oceans in danger are lacking the airtime they need in the Paris climate talks. Shifting species ranges and increased disease incidence are only symptoms of a much larger problem: “Oceans May Be Left Out Of Climate Plan, But Here’s What’s At Stake,” National Geographic (09 December 2015)

• Marine biologists need your help to document how ongoing changes in sea ice and water temperatures affect aquatic species. The fossil record, climate models, and citizen science are all necessary tools to understand the modern ocean: “In the Arctic, The Times, They Are A-Changin: You Can Pitch In To Understand How,” The Ocean Blog (30 November 2015)