Google Earth Adds Oceans
In an effort that environmentalists hope will spur additional interest around the world in saving struggling marine ecosystems, search engine giant Google last week released a new version of its free Earth software (Version 5.0) with greatly expanded coverage of the world’s oceans. Through this new version, users can virtually dive beneath the surface and visit the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench; explore the ocean with top marine experts from National Geographic and BBC; learn about ocean observations, climate change and endangered species; and discover new places including surf, dive and travel hotspots and shipwrecks. The software also allows users to read up on which seafoods are harvested in an unsustainable manner to help consumers make better choices when they are at a supermarket or restaurant. Anyone who cares about or is inspired by the world’s oceans owes it to themselves to check it out.
Sources: Earth.google.com; New York Times