Should We Explore the Ocean or Space First? Why the Future Lies Beneath the Waves

Scuba diver exploring the deep ocean blue waters, representing underwater exploration.

Before we race toward the stars, it’s time to look beneath the surface of our own planet. Discover why ocean exploration is vital and full of opportunities.

In April last year, pop star Katy Perry took a trip to space as part of Blue Origin's all-female crew aboard the New Shepard rocket. The 11-minute flight sent them soaring more than 60 miles above Earth, offering a brief experience of weightlessness and a front-row seat to the edge of the cosmos. [1]

Like her, many other celebrities and public figures are joining the 21st-century space race: launching rockets, building private space stations, and even planning future lunar getaways. It’s flashy and futuristic, yet completely unsustainable – and it distracts us from something vital beneath our feet.

Because right here on Earth lies a vast, largely uncharted realm covering over 70% of our planet: the ocean. And although it's crucial to our survival, over 80% of it remains unexplored. [2] So, as Katy Perry said after her trip to space, to truly feel “super connected to life” and “so connected to love,” [3] we need to start uncovering and protecting the wonders right here on our own planet.

How Much Have We Explored the Ocean?

When we look at Google Earth, it is easy to think we have our entire blue planet figured out. But what we see on our screens is mostly an estimate based on satellite data. In reality, as of 2026, only about 28.7% of the global seafloor has been mapped using modern, high-resolution technology. [4]

When it comes to actual physical exploration, the numbers are even closer to zero: explorers have seen less than 0.001% of the deep ocean seafloor with their own eyes or via submersibles. [5]

This leaves a massive underwater world that remains a complete mystery, holding thousands of undiscovered features and creatures, clues to our planet's past, and resources that could improve our future.

So, why does diving into this unknown matter so much to us on Earth? Here is what we stand to find.

4 Key Benefits of Ocean Exploration

1. Fighting Climate Change
Oceans produce over 50% of the Earth’s oxygen and absorb massive amounts of heat and carbon dioxide. [6] By exploring and understanding ocean currents, temperatures, and ecosystems, we can develop better strategies to combat climate change, protect coastlines, and improve weather prediction. [7]

Woman doing yoga by the ocean, representing how deep ocean exploration and healthy marine ecosystems help fight climate change.

2. Unlocking Medical Breakthroughs
Many of today’s medicines come from nature (like aspirin!), and the ocean is the next frontier. Marine animals like sponges, tunicates, and bryozoans produce powerful compounds with antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Chemicals like Ecteinascidin and Bryostatin, which may help treat breast cancer and leukemia, were discovered in deep-sea species. [7] With so much marine life still unexplored, the ocean could hold the key to tomorrow’s life-saving treatments.

3. Supporting Global Food and Economic Security
Oceans are a key source of protein for over 3 billion people and provide jobs for millions through fishing, aquaculture, and tourism. [9] By exploring and managing marine resources sustainably, we can protect both biodiversity and livelihoods.

4. Powering Innovation
Challenges in ocean exploration often lead to innovative technologies and engineering solutions, many of which can be used to tackle real-world ocean crises, such as oil spills. [10] Additionally, the ocean holds vast potential as a clean energy source. With further research and development, this energy could supply around 10% of the EU’s power demand by 2050. [11]

Ocean Exploration and Conservation Go Hand in Hand

Exploring the ocean isn’t just about discovery; it’s about safeguarding our future. As Sir David Attenborough says in his latest documentary, “If we save the ocean, we save our world.” [12] The more we understand marine ecosystems, the better we can defend them (and us) against threats.

Volunteers involved in a beach clean-up, highlighting community action for ocean conservation and protecting marine life.

That’s why growing the community of ocean advocates and experts is so important.

Want to Help? Ocean Conservation Jobs Are on the Rise

If you’re passionate about the sea, opportunities go beyond volunteering. Ocean conservation is an expanding field with diverse career paths, including:

Marine Ecologist
Policy and Advocacy Officer
Community Outreach Officer
Geographic Information System (GIS) Spatial Modeller
Marine National Park Ranger
Environmental Educator

You can find more here. From developing apps that track ocean health to leading clean-up initiatives, people are turning their passion for the ocean into meaningful, full-time careers. As part of this journey, Aquafil turned this environmental challenge into a valuable resource, by partnering with fish farms and the Healthy Seas Foundation to recover discarded fishing nets, transforming them into ECONYL® regenerated nylon.

Want to Dive Deeper? Download our Free Ocean Action Guide

Discover inspiring stories, learn about these roles and the people behind them, and find practical tips and tools to help you protect our seas. Get your copy of our latest guide, “Protecting the Seas: Your Role Matters,” today and start making waves!

[1] “Blue Origin crew safely back on Earth after all-female space flight,” BBC, available here: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg8e5gq8ljo

[2]“Ocean,” National Geographic, available at: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ocean/
[3]“Blue Origin crew safely back on Earth after all-female space flight,” BBC, available here: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg8e5gq8ljo
[4] How much of the ocean has been explored? https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/ocean-fact/explored/

[5] How much of the ocean has been explored? https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/ocean-fact/explored/

[6] “The Ocean – The world’s greatest ally against climate change,” available at: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/ocean
[7]“Why study the oceans?”, California Institute of Technology, available at: https://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/ocean-observation/why-study-the-ocean/overview/#:~:text=Consistent%20measuring%20of%20the%20ocean,longer%2Dterm%20patterns%20of%20climate
[8]“Do medicines come from the sea?”, NOAA Ocean Exploration, available at: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/medicinesfromsea.html
[9]“5 reasons you should care about our ocean,” United Nations, available at: https://www.un.org/en/desa/5-reasons-you-should-care-about-our-ocean.
[10] “Why do we explore the ocean?”, NOAA Ocean Exploration, available at: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/why.html
[11] “Ocean energy,” European Commission, available at: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/energy/ocean-energy_en

[12] “If we save the sea, we save our world,” Blue Marine Foundation, available at: https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/2025/05/07/if-we-save-the-sea-we-save-our-world-attenborough-urges-ocean-protection/

From ECONYL® Blog

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