World Ocean Radio

Series produced by World Ocean Observatory

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5-minute audio essays on global ocean topics by Peter Neill, Director of the World Ocean Observatory

World Ocean Radio is a weekly 5-minute audio feature for web listeners, podcasts, and worldwide distribution through community radio stations and partners. WOR provides weekly 5-minute commentary from longtime host Peter Neill, offering a unique perspective on important and relevant ocean issues. Thanks to private and foundation funds, we are able to offer World Ocean Radio for syndicated use at no cost.

Broadcast affiliates: We automatically send emails every Monday with mp3 file, episode summary, and links to image file and broadcast page. Episodes are also available for direct download from The Pacifica Network and The Public Radio Exchange.

We hope you'll find World Ocean Radio programming engaging and relevant for your listening audience. It is our belief that the sea connects all things. No matter where your listeners live, these broadcasts offer meaningful and relevant information for us all about the state of our world ocean.

Please let us know what you think: CONTACT US at director@thew2o.net so that we may begin sharing World Ocean Radio weekly broadcasts with you and your listening audience.

The WORLD OCEAN OBSERVATORY is a major utility for ocean communication as a means to advance public awareness and political will, and is dedicated to providing information and education about the health of the ocean. We believe that informed citizens worldwide can unite to sustain the ocean through mitigation and change of human behavior on land and sea. Our focus is the full spectrum of ocean issues: climate, fresh water, food, energy, trade, transportation, public health, finance, governance, security, recreation, and culture. It is our belief that the sea connects all things. Hide full description

World Ocean Radio is a weekly 5-minute audio feature for web listeners, podcasts, and worldwide distribution through community radio stations and partners. WOR provides weekly 5-minute commentary from longtime host Peter Neill, offering a unique perspective on important and relevant ocean issues. Thanks to private and foundation funds, we are able to offer World Ocean Radio for syndicated use at no cost. Broadcast affiliates: We automatically send emails every Monday with mp3 file, episode summary, and links to image file and broadcast page. Episodes are also available for direct download from The Pacifica Network and The Public Radio Exchange. We hope you'll find World Ocean Radio programming engaging and relevant for your listening audience. It is our belief that the sea connects all... Show full description


643 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Frozen tuna in the hold of a fishing ship. , Credit: Alex Hofford | Greenpeace | MarinePhotobank.org
World fisheries are in crisis, with many species pushed to the edge of extinction. The current system is a recipe for disaster: demand is up; exter...

  • Added: Jan 11, 2016
  • Length: 05:25
Caption: From the Mystic Aquarium's "Beluga Encounter" exhibit.  From their site: "Mystic Aquarium is a leader in beluga research, care and training. Through long-standing animal care and research relationships with other institutions across the nation, Mystic Aqu
There are many whale-related hot button topics being discussed today: hunting (particularly by the Japanese), seismic testing, inexplicable strandi...

  • Added: Jan 08, 2016
  • Length: 04:42
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At the close of each year, World Ocean Radio host Peter Neill reads "At The Fishhouses" by Elizabeth Bishop. This poem was chosen not only for its ...

Bought by Raven Radio


  • Added: Dec 29, 2015
  • Length: 04:57
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Migrants and refugees aboard a Turkish fishing vessel as they arrive on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing part of the Aegean Sea. October 2015., Credit: Reuters | Fotis Plegas G
Record numbers of migrants are taking to the seas to escape political strife, sectarian conflict and war, crossing the Aegean and Mediterranean sea...

  • Added: Dec 22, 2015
  • Length: 04:23
Caption: Maritime Museum on the Hong Kong waterfront.
In October of 2015 Peter Neill, Director of World Ocean Observatory and host of World Ocean Radio, attended the bi-annual conference of the Interna...

  • Added: Dec 17, 2015
  • Length: 05:32
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The Arctic conversation concludes this week with "An Arctic Vision." In this episode, host Peter Neill focuses on the indigenous Arctic community a...

  • Added: Dec 08, 2015
  • Length: 05:20
Caption: Declining Arctic sea ice is one factor affecting the region's changing ocean ecosystem. This image based on data from NASA's Aqua satellite shows the extent of sea ice in March 2008. , Credit: NASA
The conversation continues this week about the future of the Arctic. In this episode of World Ocean Radio host Peter Neill addresses a question he ...

  • Added: Dec 01, 2015
  • Length: 05:18
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The conversation continues this week about the future of the Arctic. In this episode of World Ocean Radio host Peter Neill will argue that now is t...

  • Added: Nov 24, 2015
  • Length: 05:31
Caption: An Arctic mountain at the north west coast of Svalbard, Credit:  Thomas Hallermann | Marine Photobank
The conversation continues about the future of the Arctic this week with further outcomes from the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland. Du...

  • Added: Nov 17, 2015
  • Length: 05:16
Caption: USCG cutter Healy in the Arctic , Credit: Courtesy of Mathis/NOAA
In a continuing conversation about the future of the Arctic, host Peter Neill shares his concerns about the disconnect between a strong commitment ...

  • Added: Nov 10, 2015
  • Length: 05:26
Caption: ,Map based on NSIDC sea ice extent data. , Credit: Climate.gov
The Arctic Circle, an assembly founded by the President of Iceland and held annually to help define the deliberations of the Arctic Council, was he...

  • Added: Nov 03, 2015
  • Length: 05:35
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Fresh water shortages are making headlines everywhere. Issues large and small are adding up to a global water crisis which threatens all of us, ric...

  • Added: Oct 26, 2015
  • Length: 05:17
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The Pope's recent visit to the United States sparked much conversation and debate about the environment. Pope Francis has been very clear in his vi...

  • Added: Oct 13, 2015
  • Length: 05:19
Caption: Royal Dutch Shell's conical drilling unit Kulluk, Credit: (Reuters / Zachary Painter) / Reuters
In late September Royal Dutch Shell announced it has terminated oil exploration and drilling efforts in the Arctic, citing disappointing explorator...

  • Added: Oct 06, 2015
  • Length: 05:12
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Oysters have had a history of ebb and flow, plenty and scarcity, and in New York Harbor there was a time when the waters were so polluted that oyst...

  • Added: Sep 29, 2015
  • Length: 05:14
Caption: A 2015 report on the impact of climate change on allergies in adults and children shows that increased temperatures, changing moisture patterns, and accelerated growth and distribution of pollen has generated symptoms of allergic reactions never before ex
The climate is changing: changing moisture, increased temperature, accelerated growth and distribution of pollen, increased allergic reactions. Sci...

Bought by KVNF


  • Added: Sep 29, 2015
  • Length: 05:23
  • Purchases: 1
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World Ocean Radio host Peter Neill recently witnessed a beautiful full moon rise from an island perch in Maine. The silent, stealthy way that it ro...

  • Added: Sep 14, 2015
  • Length: 05:11
Caption: The spots monitored for Fukushima radiation by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution., Credit: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
The effects of leaking radiation have long raised concerns as a cause for many inexplicable natural events at sea. Since 2004 Ken Buesseler and his...

  • Added: Aug 31, 2015
  • Length: 05:17
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A recent series of investigative stories entitled "The Outlaw Ocean" by Ian Urbina of the New York Times exposes the dark side of the deep sea, des...

  • Added: Aug 24, 2015
  • Length: 05:21
Caption: Image of the Encina Power Station, future site of the Carlsbad Project, a 6 acre desalination plant--the largest in the United States. , Credit: Courtesy of Poseidon Water
A San Diego County Water Authority project to construct a 6-acre desalination plant, the largest of its kind in the United States, comes at a time ...

  • Added: Aug 17, 2015
  • Length: 05:20