When viewed from space, how does our ocean appear? What aspects stand out the most and what consequences does human activity have on marine ecosystems? These crucial topics are explored in Our Ocean from Space, a travelling exhibition inaugurated yesterday at the Port of Barcelona in the frame of the United Nations Ocean Decade Conference.

A UNESCO and ESA co-production, Our Ocean from Space takes visitors on a visual journey into Earth’s marine ecosystems, covering a range of scientific topics including changes to Arctic sea ice, ocean warming, rising sea levels, the role of sea salinity and ocean currents, and the consequences of climate change on coral reefs and biodiversity.

With its breathtaking images and video-interviews, the exhibition has just embarked on a three-year tour, ready to make stops at major international events to raise awareness about the critical environmental challenges facing our oceans. Over the course of three years, visitors will discover how Earth observation satellites monitor the way gravity influences ocean dynamics, maritime traffic, and marine protected areas. Using Earth observation satellite images, augmented reality, and interviews with experts, local decision-makers, and coastal inhabitants, the exhibition also explores current efforts to protect the fragile beauty of our marine ecosystems.

Curated by Fiorella Coliolo and Benoit Delplanque, and with the support of national space agencies and institutions, the exhibition is presently hosted at the Plaça Portal de la Pau at the Port of Barcelona until 6 May 2024.

Useful information
Next stops for this travelling exhibition: Paris, Athens, Milan, Bari and Toulouse (exact dates to be confirmed). Find out more here, on Our Ocean from Space.