Submarine cables primarily enhance global telecommunications, with Meta’s Project Waterworth aiming to create the longest cable connecting five continents. Emerging technologies like SMART cables offer significant advantages for environmental monitoring, despite slow adoption due to regulatory, financial, and security concerns. Increased investment and revised regulations could facilitate better data collection, essential for addressing climate change impacts.
Submarine cables are crucial infrastructures, initially designed to enhance global connectivity, with a remarkable length of approximately 1.4 million kilometers. The latest initiative from Meta, known as Project Waterworth, aims to establish the longest communication cable, measuring 50,000 kilometers, connecting five continents to boost connectivity and technological progress in countries like the United States, India, and Brazil.
However, there exists a new frontier for submarine cables beyond telecommunications: environmental monitoring. SMART cables, initiated by multiple international organizations, have integrated sensors for tracking vital data such as seismic activity, temperature, and pressure changes, aiding in early-warning systems for natural disasters.
The OFS cables focus on protecting infrastructure by detecting disturbances through the fiber optics within the cables. Countries such as France and Portugal are investing in these technologies, with the European Commission supporting relevant projects within broader infrastructure strategies.
Despite the potential of sensing cables, their adoption remains sluggish due to outdated regulations that overlook the complexities introduced by sensor-integrated cables. Furthermore, the lack of a clear business model raises concerns about the financial viability of these projects, as the costs may not yield direct financial returns.
Security risks are another hindrance, as the integration of sensors may lead to perceptions of surveillance rather than scientific observation and could attract malicious attention. Nonetheless, the benefits of enriched ocean data for industries and climate science present a compelling case for further investment.
To gain critical insights into climate change, enhanced data collection through cables in environmentally vulnerable regions like the Pacific is essential. Countries like Portugal exemplify proactive investment in SMART cables, demonstrating the potential for regulatory frameworks to evolve and facilitate such advancements.
The future regarding SMART cables is contingent upon revising legal frameworks and understanding that embedding sensors, while not a panacea for climate issues, represents a necessary step toward comprehending and addressing oceanic changes.
In conclusion, while submarine cables have played a vital role in global connectivity since the 19th century, their potential for environmental monitoring remains underutilized. Efforts to integrate sensing technology into these cables could significantly advance our understanding of climate change, provided regulatory challenges are addressed. By learning from proactive examples like Portugal’s investment in SMART cables, other nations can take similar steps to enhance our collective response to environmental challenges.
Original Source: eveningreport.nz
