New Eve: the Challenges and Rewards of Subaquatic Civilization

An underwater hotel suite rendering — Underwater resort design by Steel Fish Ltd. | Image via Steel-Fish.com

Despite the pioneering efforts of Jacques Cousteau and the allure of the unexplored ocean depths, humanity has not established permanent underwater stations akin to our pursuits in outer space. The fascination with space exploration often overshadows the fact that we know less about our planet's oceans than we do about the moon's surface. This discrepancy in exploration and settlement raises questions about the challenges, technological needs, and the potential cultural and economic impacts of underwater civilizations. Furthermore, the issue of securing these underwater realms adds another layer of complexity, involving unique considerations for counterterrorism, regional security, and the geopolitical implications that ripple back to the surface world.

Psychological & Cultural Challenges

The exploration of space and the ocean depths taps into two contrasting realms of human curiosity and fear. On the one hand, seawater has been often demonized, a leviathanic void timelessly claiming countless souls. On the other, space is often romanticized, a vast emptiness waiting to be filled with human ambition and curiosity. In reality, they both come with their own unique perils and rewards.

Part of this one-sided caution may come from our evolutionary upbringing of being existentially sentitive to our aquatic surroundings. Too much water can kill you, after all. But any type of fear of space is only conscious and not visceral or instinctive. Nature simply hasn’t has time to drum up a deep-seated computer programing designed to thwart our curiosity of going up to the stars. It simply hasn’t needed to yet. Maybe one day, our natural instincts may kick in and make us afraid of the endless black sink of space just as they do of the bottomless sea. But, until that day comes, we may have to resort to education, public awareness campaigns, and proof through demonstration for us to make the kind of advances that we wish to do beneath the waves just as we do above the skies.

Engineering Challenges and Needs

The primary obstacle to building underwater stations is the extreme environment of the deep sea, characterized by high pressure, low temperatures, and complete darkness beyond a certain depth. Unlike space, where the primary challenge is the vacuum and microgravity, the ocean imposes massive pressure on any structure, which increases with depth. The engineering to withstand these conditions does exist, as demonstrated by deep-sea submersibles and the International Space Station (ISS), showing parallels in the need for robust, pressure-resistant materials.

However, living underwater requires not just survival but sustainability—systems for oxygen generation, waste recycling, and food production in an isolated environment. While space stations use advanced life support systems to recycle air and water, an underwater habitat would need similar engineering, potentially augmented by the direct harvesting of resources from the ocean environment.

Similarities and Differences with Space Technology

Both underwater and space habitats share the need for autonomous life support systems, pressure regulation, and protection from a hostile environment. However, the solutions differ significantly due to the contrasting nature of space and the ocean. For example, while spacecraft are designed to be as light as possible to escape Earth's gravity, underwater structures must be robust enough to withstand crushing pressures and possibly be anchored to the seabed to counteract buoyancy.

Moreover, the technology for deep-sea exploration must contend with corrosion from salt water, biofouling from marine life, and the challenge of providing light and power in an environment where solar energy cannot penetrate. While space exploration benefits from the vacuum of space for insulation and solar panels for energy, underwater habitats might harness geothermal vents or develop new forms of hydroelectric or wave energy.

Cultural and Economic Impact

The establishment of underwater cities would represent a monumental shift in human civilization, expanding our living space and potentially altering global cultures and economies. Culturally, it could foster a deeper connection and understanding of our planet, promoting conservation efforts and a new appreciation for the ocean's biodiversity.

Economically, underwater cities could revolutionize industries such as marine biotechnology, deep-sea mining, and aquaculture, offering untapped resources and new opportunities for scientific research and commercial ventures. However, this also raises concerns about the environmental impact of exploiting underwater ecosystems and the need for sustainable approaches to oceanic development.

Securing Underwater Realms

As humanity embarks on the journey of establishing underwater habitats, the task of securing these new domains unveils complex layers of technological and geopolitical challenges. Protecting vital life-support systems from terrorism, such as air ducts essential for the circulation of breathable air, calls for advanced security measures tailored to the ocean’s depths. Beyond the immediate threats, the broader geopolitical landscape poses significant questions regarding sovereignty and control over these subaquatic territories. The potential for underwater habitats to become strategic assets raises the specter of a new form of imperialism, with nations potentially vying for dominance over the ocean floor, echoing historical colonial expansions but in an alien and shared environment.

Navigating these uncharted waters will demand innovative approaches to international law and cooperation. The development of underwater cities necessitates the drafting of new treaties and the establishment of regulatory bodies to oversee the fair use of oceanic resources. These frameworks must ensure that the high seas’ exploration and settlement do not devolve into unchecked exploitation or a source of international conflict. Balancing the interests of states, private entities, and the global community will be crucial in maintaining the equitable and sustainable development of these new frontiers. The need for cooperation and conflict resolution mechanisms would be paramount to prevent underwater disputes from escalating into surface-level geopolitical tensions.

The unique vulnerabilities of underwater habitats, coupled with the global security implications of their development, underscore the need for a collaborative effort to forge peace, stability, and cooperation beneath the waves. Adapting governance and security strategies to meet the demands of this final terrestrial frontier will be paramount. As we delve deeper into the ocean's mysteries, the success of our underwater endeavors will hinge on our ability to mitigate risks and foster an environment of shared responsibility and innovation, ensuring a prosperous and secure future for subaquatic civilization.

Conclusion

While the technological, cultural, and economic aspects of establishing underwater habitats are significant, the security of these environments is an equally critical concern. As humanity ventures beneath the waves, the principles of sovereignty, safety, and stewardship will require careful negotiation and innovation. The pursuit of underwater civilizations not only promises to expand our living space and resources but also challenges us to protect and preserve the oceanic frontier. In doing so, we can ensure that our endeavors beneath the sea enhance, rather than endanger, the geopolitical stability and environmental health of our planet.