The wonderful world of life in a drop of water | Tom Zimmerman and Simone Bianco

Summary

Tom Zimmerman and Simone Bianco introduce us to 'Elders,' the microscopic plankton that produce two-thirds of our oxygen. They share alarming findings of a 40% decline in global phytoplankton due to climate change since 1950, affecting fish populations and human food sources. Using Zimmerman's 3D microscope, they reveal the intricate world of plankton, urging a shift to renewable energy to save these vital creatures and secure our future.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Plankton, referred to as the 'Elders', are ancient creatures that significantly increased the Earth's oxygen levels half a billion years ago, contributing to the explosion of life forms.
• 🔬 Tom Zimmerman and Simone Bianco, a physicist and an inventor, collaborated to study plankton using Zimmerman's 3D microscope, which could measure plankton movement in 3D.
• 🌍 The global phytoplankton population has decreased by up to 40% between 1950 and 2010 due to climate change, which affects the oxygen they produce and the food chain.
• 🐟 The decline in plankton threatens the fish populations that over a billion people rely on for their primary source of animal protein.
• 🌳 Plankton's ancestors' bodies form a significant part of the carbon resources we use today, and current plankton help clean carbon from the air.
• 🌡️ The increase in Earth's surface temperature by one degree Celsius since 1950 has had a substantial impact on plankton, which are sensitive to such changes.
• 🌐 The speakers argue that our large carbon footprint is harming the very organisms that sustain us, and the loss of plankton could lead to asphyxiation or starvation.
• 👀 The script suggests that the invisibility of plankton makes it hard for people to care about them, drawing a parallel to 'The Little Prince' quote about the essential being invisible.
• 🤿 Zimmerman's invention allows for a virtual 'scuba diving' experience with plankton, aiming to raise awareness about their importance by showing their world up close.
• ☀️ The speakers advocate for a shift to renewable energy from the sun to create a sustainable future, beneficial for both plankton and humans.

Q & A

Why are plankton referred to as 'Elders' in the script?

Plankton are called 'Elders' because they played a crucial role in the past by tripling the amount of oxygen in the air half a billion years ago, which led to an explosion of life forms, including humans.

What was the problem Simone was trying to solve with the help of Tom's 3D microscope?

Simone needed a way to measure the movement of plankton in 3D quickly enough to mathematically model their sensing and behavior.

How does the decrease in plankton population affect the oxygen supply and food chain?

Plankton generate two-thirds of our oxygen using the sun. A decrease in their population, as much as 40 percent between 1950 and 2010 due to climate change, could lead to less oxygen and also starve the fish that eat them, affecting the food source for about a billion people who depend on fish as their primary source of animal protein.

What is the significance of plankton's ancestors' bodies in relation to today's carbon consumption?

The bodies of plankton's ancestors make up a lot of the carbon we burn today in the form of fossil fuels, which is ironic since current plankton help clean carbon from the air.

Why do the speakers believe that people are not taking action to protect plankton?

The speakers theorize that people are not taking action because plankton are tiny and it's hard to care about something you cannot see.

How does Tom Zimmerman's invention allow for the exploration of the microscopic world?

Tom Zimmerman's invention uses an image sensor, a tray of plankton water, an LED light, and an XY plotter to track plankton movements. It also includes a tilt sensor on a helmet to control the microscope with head movements, allowing users to explore the microscopic world.

What is the role of rotifers in the water ecosystem as described in the script?

Rotifers are described as the garbage collectors of our waters. They break down organic matter, allowing it to be reclaimed by the environment.

What unique characteristic does the Stentor, a type of plankton, have?

The Stentor is unique because it is a single-celled organism that can sense and react to its environment, swimming forward when happy and backward to avoid toxic chemicals.

How are algae, a type of plankton, contributing to the oxygen in the air?

Algae convert solar light and carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis, which fills our lungs.

What is the connection between ancient plants and plankton mentioned in the script?

About a billion years ago, ancient plants got their photosynthesis capability by incorporating tiny plankton into their cells, similar to how we use solar panels for energy.

What are the three greatest concerns of people globally according to the script, and how does the shift to renewable energy address these?

The three greatest concerns are jobs, violence, and health. Renewable energy can create jobs, reduce violence by decentralizing energy sources, and improve health by reducing pollution from fossil fuels.