First ocean science article written!

Header image credit: Raquel Teixeira from FreeImages

I’ve finally written my first “ocean science writing” article! It’s on a subject familiar to me to give me an easy slide into the writing experience: sea level rise.

Sea level rise is also a subject that’s been in the news recently, primarily due to the Climate Change Report that was released last week by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (“IPCC AR6 Assessment Report”). This sixth assessment report paints a stark picture; sea level rise is (more than) enough to cause concern to many climate scientists – yet its rate doesn’t sound like much; currently about 3 mm every year. My article aims to put this estimate of sea level rise into context and present what it means.

It’s not all been plain sailing. In the past few weeks I’ve struggled with:

• Time. I’m applying for jobs. Part-time to give me time for this, and also full-time because I’d like to think I can always find time to write. (You see the paradox there…)
• Guilt. When I’m thinking about writing, I’m feeling I should be applying for jobs.
• Being a Dad. It’s always going to be family first. My daughters are on holiday and even though my wife is working at home, it’s not a quiet house! (Besides, I like playing with them!)
• Inspirational stories and videos. I’m embarrassed about admitting this, but honesty’s always best. I’ve watched and read too many of these things, all of which seem to say, in essence, Just Start!

So I did – and now I’ve just finished! 😉

I’ve pitched it to Brainstorm-magazine who publish contributions from scientists looking to expand into the world of science writing.

I hope that includes me – I’ll find out!

Paul