Bob Ballard's "Why We Explore?"

Throughout his talk on "Why We Explore?", Ballard makes many points to emphasize the importance of exploring the ocean. The three most significant arguments he makes include accessing our natural resources, learning more about history, and potential habitation of the sea.

Ballard explains that 50% of America lies beneath the sea. This means that there is an abundance of resources under the sea, such as food and oil, that can be used by Americans. In order for this plethora of resources to be accessed, it is necessary to explore the waters in which they reside.

Ballard also states that the ocean is the largest museum on Earth. Due to all of the ships that have sunken over the centuries, the bottom of the ocean is home to many artifacts from forgotten times. Such times can be remembered with the exploration of the deep sea, which leads to the discovery of sunken relics and increases historical awareness.

A third point Ballard makes is that habitation is being proposed on the moon but not in the earth's own oceans. It makes more sense to seek potential habitation as close to home as possible; why leave the planet when there is plenty of unoccupied space here on Earth? With further exploration of underwater conditions, human habitation of the ocean could be a possible solution for overpopulation.

Ballard believes that exploring the ocean is crucial. Due to underwater resources, history under the ocean, and the possibility for underwater habitation, I agree that ocean exploration is important and necessary.