This artistic digital project explores the topic of what happens when human activity starts influencing our oceans, particularly, the notion of ocean acidifcation – the process when carbon dioxyde is absorbed by the ocean which lowers the pH levels and it makes it more acidic. This has long term effects on marine life because it impacts whole ecosystems inside the ocean, but us humans as well.
This interactive application allows users to explore a timeline from 1800 all the way to a not-so-distant 2100, with creative visuals at the bottom of which are just dots that move and change their size to reflect different animals that live inside the ocean. When these shapes are clicked, more information is displayed about them. In addition, the audio creates an ambient atmosphere by first playing sounds reminiscent of being at a beach, but then changing the theme to a more urgent one with unsettling music that builds up the further we scroll through the timeline.
The application can be interpreted using the text McBride et. al. “Environmental literacy, ecological literacy, ecoliteracy: What do we mean and how did we get here?” since it defines what it means to be environmentally knowledgable and ecologically aware. “Diving into an Acidifying Ocean” is educating its viewers on the importance of ocean acidification by providing a more interactive platform, as well as suggesting that people can make corresponding adjustments to their lives.