In a world drowning in climate data, researchers are turning to an unexpected ally in the fight against the climate crisis: music. A team from Australia’s Monash University is leading the charge with their Dark Oceanography initiative, a unique blend of climate science and experimental music. By translating Lagrangian tracking data of ocean eddies into musical compositions, they’re offering a sonic pathway to bridge the gap between complex data and public understanding.
The team, comprising artists and scientists, followed the paths of eddies from the Eastern Australian Current through the Southern Ocean and across the globe. Using eddy-resolving resolution data (0.10ᵒ), they transformed this information into music. Louise Devenish, performer and director of the project, explains, “We’re not just making pretty sounds. We’re translating the language of the ocean into something that resonates with people.” The initiative aims to foster reflection and, ultimately, action.
Meanwhile, across the Pacific, a team at the University of South Florida is also composing climate change into music. Led by Assistant Professor of Anthropology Heather O’Leary, the group has tackled issues like harmful algae blooms and red tides. Their latest composition highlights environmental stressors affecting oysters in Florida. O’Leary emphasizes the importance of making scientific data accessible, stating, “We’re translating complex environmental data into something that’s engaging and understandable.”
UC San Diego’s Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Music, Lei Liang, is another pioneer in this field. His composition “Six Seasons” invites musicians to interact with sounds recorded from the depths of the ocean. Liang believes that music can evoke a visceral response, making the abstract tangible. “We’re not just presenting data,” he says. “We’re creating an experience that connects people to the ocean in a profound way.”
Artists are also exploring movement-based expressions of oceanographic data. Die Mimik der Tethys (The Expressions of Tethys) is a high sea buoy that transmits motion data via satellite to a suspended buoy in Nantes, France. The information guides electric motors and cable winches, reproducing the ocean buoy’s movement in real-time. This kinetic art piece offers a tangible connection to the ocean’s rhythms.
These initiatives are more than just creative expressions; they’re sparking a shift in how we engage with climate data. By translating complex information into music and movement, researchers and artists are making the climate crisis more accessible and relatable. This approach could revolutionize climate communication, fostering a deeper understanding and inspiring action.
As these projects gain traction, we might see a rise in data-driven art initiatives. Museums and galleries could become hubs for climate education, using music and art to tell data-driven stories. Schools might incorporate these tools into their curricula, helping students engage with complex environmental issues. Moreover, policymakers could leverage these creative approaches to communicate climate science to the public, bridging the gap between data and decision-making.
In the fight against climate change, every tool counts. Music and art might just be the unexpected allies we need to turn the tide. As these initiatives show, when data meets creativity, understanding follows. And with understanding comes the power to act.