Episode 99: "Google Maps for the sea" with Sofar Ocean
Guest Tim Janssen explains the ocean data gap and how a network of buoys is the start of a whole new intelligence platform that's already lowering shipping emissions
We’re still in the ocean — because, as I’ve mentioned, we know shockingly little about it.
This week’s guest is Tim Janssen, an oceanographer and the co-founder/CEO of Sofar Ocean, an ocean intelligence company that’s closing the “ocean data gap” with the world’s largest privately deployed network of solar-powered buoys and underwater sensors.
Why does that matter? Because 70% of the planet is ocean … but, as Tim said, if you were to take, say, the distance from here to the sun, that’s analogous to how much we know about land and air. But for oceans, we know more like the size of a football field. (Honestly that’s just wild, for real.) That lack of data means worse weather and climate forecasts, less efficient global shipping, and big blind spots in industries from aquaculture to renewable energy.
In This Episode:
What the “ocean data gap” really is — and why it makes climate prediction harder
How Sofar’s 2,500+ Spotter buoys are creating a real-time ocean monitoring network
Wayfinder: the Google Maps for ships that can cut fuel costs (and emissions) by 5%
Why open-source ocean data for researchers is as important as commercial applications
The future of AI-powered ocean intelligence
▶️ Listen here: Episode 99: Mapping the Ocean Economy
Key Quote
“Our bet is that ocean information is incredibly valuable. The more data we collect, the better the models, the better the forecasts — and the more efficient, safer, and sustainable the entire blue economy becomes.”
— Tim Janssen, Sofar Ocean
Why It Matters
The ocean is 50% of our climate system. If we don’t measure it, we can’t predict it. Sofar’s work is not just about protecting ecosystems — it’s about making global supply chains more efficient, reducing emissions, and helping vulnerable communities prepare for rising seas and stronger storms.
As Tim puts it: climate is information.
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