The CTD/Catherine Chabaud

world is a unique one that will undoubtedly add to the list of classified organisms. The work could also potentially shed new light on the early stages of evolution among present-day land dwellers and provide more information on the condition of coral reefs.
     As of now, there are no broad-scale efforts to monitor ocean conditions on a continual basis, and that could spell trouble if problems go undetected. Dr. Karsenti calls upon the United Nations and other organizations among state actors to undertake the job.
     “The ocean is in vital need for international monitoring,” he told the audience at the UN. “Non-governmental organizations can help,” he said, but for the monitoring to really work, “governments must be a part of it.” Surveying entire oceans quite obvisoulsly represents an enormous challenge and requires the sharing and comparison of data from region to region. Consequently, the biologist contends, “It has to be international, or it won’t work.”
     The completion of Tara’s two and a half-year globe-spanning trip comes just months ahead of the Earth Summit 2012, which takes place this June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. International representatives will gather to discuss strategies for sustainable development in response to heightened concerns over climate change. Those like Andrew Hudson, head of the UNDP’s International Waters Programme, hope to see progress on ocean management plans at the meeting. Being able to rely on the data collected by the Tara scientists at the June summit and in the years to come, ocean advocates like Mr. Hudson will very likely be able to make an even stronger case for continued study and new methods of action, as the water expert suggested at the UN press conference.