Internet Cables in the Ocean Are the New Coral Reefs!
We all know that coral reefs are dying due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing. But don’t worry, there’s a new solution to save the marine ecosystem: internet cables!
Internet cables carry data across the ocean floor, connecting continents and enabling our online activities. They are also surprisingly good at providing shelter and food for various sea creatures.
According to a recent study by the Submarine Cable Association, more than 95 percent of international data is transmitted by these cables, which are hundreds of thousands of miles long and can lie 8000 meters below the surface. That’s a lot of potential habitat for fish, crabs, worms, and even sharks.
Some of the benefits of internet cables for marine life include:
- They offer protection from predators and currents, as well as a stable temperature and salinity.
- They attract plankton and algae, which serve as food sources for filter feeders and grazers.
- They create artificial reefs that increase biodiversity and support complex food webs.
- They enhance connectivity and communication among different species, especially those that use electrical signals.
Of course, there are also some drawbacks of internet cables for marine life, such as:
- They can get damaged by natural disasters, fishing trawlers, or curious animals, causing disruptions in service and costly repairs.
- They can emit electromagnetic fields that interfere with the navigation and behavior of some animals, especially those that use magnetic senses.
- They can introduce invasive species or pathogens that harm native populations or ecosystems.
- They can pose entanglement or ingestion risks for some animals, especially those that mistake them for prey.
But nothing is perfect and who needs coral reefs when you have internet cables? They are faster, cheaper, and more efficient than any other technology. And they are also more fun to look at. Just ask Google and Facebook, who have both laid thousands of miles of cables along the seafloor, creating colorful and whimsical designs that rival any natural wonder.
So next time you go online, remember to thank the internet cables, not only for bringing you information and entertainment, but also saving the ocean. They are truly the new coral reefs of the 21st century.