Submarine Cables: A Pathway to Connectivity and Climate Monitoring
Meta announced Project Waterworth, aiming to construct the longest submarine communication cable, spanning 50,000 kilometers to boost global connectivity. While submarine cables serve telecommunications predominantly, emerging SMART cables could facilitate environmental monitoring to combat climate change. Despite slow adoption due to regulatory, financial, and security concerns, these technologies hold significant potential for scientific inquiry and disaster preparedness.
Submarine cables have been essential for global connectivity for over a century, with the recent announcement from tech company Meta regarding Project Waterworth, which proposes to construct the world’s longest submarine communication cable. This project aims to link five continents and enhance technological development in nations like the United States, India, and Brazil. Presently, there are approximately 1.4 million kilometers of submarine cables globally, capable of transmitting data at remarkable speeds of 300 terabits per second.
Beyond telecommunications, submarine cables offer opportunities for environmental monitoring. SMART cables, an initiative by various international organizations, incorporate sensors to collect critical data on seismic activity, temperature, and ocean pressure. This data could significantly improve early-warning systems for natural disasters and aid in climate change tracking. Additionally, OFS cables are designed to detect disturbances around the cable to protect vital infrastructures.
However, the application of sensing cables has seen limited adoption due to several challenges. Regulatory frameworks concerning undersea cables remain outdated and do not specifically address cables with environmental monitoring capabilities. Consequently, the legal ambiguity complicates the permitting process for new technologies. Furthermore, the business models for such cables remain unclear, as the financial return on environmental data collection is generally less incentivizing than data traffic.
Security concerns also pose risks to the deployment of sensing cables, as they could be misconstrued as surveillance devices. Industry professionals have cautioned that these cables might become targets for malicious entities, making stakeholders hesitant to invest. Despite these challenges, there is compelling evidence supporting the investment in SMART cables, which can deliver valuable data essential for understanding oceanic changes and addressing climate-related issues.
Portugal leads in the investment of SMART cables to enhance climate data collection, providing a model for other countries seeking to improve their infrastructure. Updating the regulatory landscape would facilitate the safe integration of sensors into new projects, such as Meta’s Waterworth Project. It could enable the establishment of an open-access database, consolidating real-time data from varied sources for broader use by scientists and policymakers.
In conclusion, while the introduction of sensor-equipped submarine cables may not singularly resolve the complexities of climate change, it is a significant step towards a deeper understanding of ocean dynamics. This approach represents a critical endeavor in addressing global challenges and underscores the moral imperative for governments to contribute to climate resilience and public good.
In summary, submarine cables serve not only as vital connectivity infrastructure but also have the potential to monitor critical environmental data. The slow adoption of SMART cables highlights the need for updated regulations, clearer business models, and increased investment. Nations like Portugal exemplify proactive measures towards utilizing these technologies for climate action. To effectively address climate change, more stakeholder engagement and investment in such initiatives are imperative, allowing for a collaborative approach to understanding and mitigating environmental challenges.
Original Source: eveningreport.nz
