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Comics

Our New Age of Water Comic Series

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Our New Age of Water

The Our New Age of Water series takes a hard and hopeful look at topics related to the present and future use of water.

Written By By Sharon Moen, Minnesota Sea Grant

Sea Grant founder, Athelstan Spilhaus, penned the non-fiction comic strip Our New Age from 1958-1975. The syndicated comic excited its 5 million readers about science and technology. In fact, when Spilhaus asked President John F. Kennedy why he appointed him to orchestrate the U.S. science exhibit at the Seattle World’s Fair, JFK joked, “The only science I know, Spilly, is what I read in the Boston Globe in your comic strip.” 

The Our New Age of Water series takes a hard and hopeful look at topics related to the present and future use of water. The intent is that each installment [in the new series] of Our New Age of Water will advance ideas about water-related research and innovative technologies that could improve the human condition in the next 50 years.

Each comic ends with ongoing research or speculation on ways we may address the issues in the future: can you think of other possibilities based on current research and ideas?

Shrimp on the Prairie

Click “present” and then navigate through the comic by clicking the arrows. You will learn about:

  • the history of shrimp as a food source
  • how people catch shrimp
  • the new role that shrimp aquaculture plays today

Aquaculture

Click “present” and then navigate through the comic by clicking the arrows. You will learn about:

  • seafood supply and demand
  • two types of fin fish aquaculture

Sea Level Rise

Click “present” and then navigate through the comic by clicking the arrows. You will learn about:

  • how scientists measure sea level
  • why sea level change can differ by location
  • consequences of sea level rise

Stormwater

Click “present” and then navigate through the comic by clicking the arrows. You will learn about:

  • why precipitation can lead to stormwater runoff
  • the consequences of stormwater runoff
  • innovations to deal with stormwater runoff

Invasive Species

Click “present” and then navigate through the comic by clicking the arrows. You will learn about:

  • how some invasive species are spread
  • some ways to prevent the spread of invasive species

Ocean Acidification

Click “present” and then navigate through the comic by clicking the arrows. You will learn about:

  • why ocean acidification is occurring
  • the problems ocean acidification causes for sea animals
  • research about  how to solve the emerging problems

A Renewable Resource

Click “present” and then navigate through the comic by clicking the arrows. You will learn about:

  • how water shortages can be caused
  • why water shortages may worsen with climate change
  • innovations to prevent future water shortages

Harnessing Wave Energy

Click “present” and then navigate through the comic by clicking the arrows. You will learn about:

  •  what is meant by ‘wave energy’
  • types of wave-energy converters

Ice (Spilhaus series)

Click “present” and then navigate through the comic by clicking the arrows. You will learn about:

  • how people use ice in unexpected ways
  • how scientists historically hoped to innovate using ice

Ocean Buoys (Spilhaus series)

Click “present” and then navigate through the comic by clicking the arrows. You will learn about:

  • the uses of ocean buoys
  • a (now historic) speculation on future use of buoys
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