Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript
Learning English
While human exploration of space has landed a man on the Moon and journeyed to the surface of Mars, our dreams of living in cities under the sea have not come true yet. Neil and Rob talk about some projects of underwater habitats and teach you vocabulary along the way.
This week’s question
One of the first adventure stories to fire the public’s imagination about the underwater world was the 1870 novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. But who wrote this underwater classic? Was it:
b) Arthur Conan Doyle?
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.
Vocabulary
seabed
solid surface of the earth that lies under the ocean, at least 1.8 kilometres underwater
natural resources
naturally existing things such as minerals, forests, coal and other energy sources that can be used by people
vertically
standing or pointing straight up and down at an angle 90 degrees, perpendicular to the ground, as opposed to horizontally parallel to the ground
the bends
decompression sickness – a serious medical sickness caused by nitrogen bubbles in the muscle tissues, resulting from return to the surface of the sea too quickly when diving
physiologically
relating to how the bodies of living humans and animals function
atmospheric pressure
the normal air pressure within the Earth’s atmosphere
MUSEUM OF UNDERWATER ART
The are dozens of underwater art installations including the Coral Greenhouse and Ocean Sentinels at the Museum of Underwater Art on John Brewer Reef as well as the Ocean Siren statue at the Strand promenade in Townsville – enough to keep you busy for multiple days of diving and snorkelling and exploring! This is one of the top things to do around Townsville & Magnetic Island and an absolutely must see on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.
As seen in the news
★★★★★
“The coral greenhouse is stunning, the OCEAN SENTINELS ARE epic and the coral GROWTH and resident fishes are a delight. Cannot wait for another dive!”
Jo Stacey, Visitor
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The Great Barrier Reef holds immense ecological and economic significance as one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. It provides critical habitat for marine species, acts as a natural barrier against storms, and contributes to the economy through tourism, and fishing.
Despite being under threat from coral bleaching, pollution, and overfishing, the reef displays remarkable resilience as showcased through MOUA’s stunning underwater installations. The reef is not a lost cause, but rather a treasure worth protecting.
To contribute to the preservation of this extraordinary natural wonder, individuals can make simple yet impactful changes in their everyday lives. By conserving energy, minimising water usage, choosing sustainable transportation options, and making conscious dietary choices, we can actively fight climate change and help safeguard the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.
