1. Sleep on The Ocean Floor
If humans could breathe underwater, one of the first things we would do is establish massive underwater cities, creating an entirely new way of living beneath the waves. These cities would likely start as small research outposts, similar to space stations, but would quickly evolve into sprawling metropolises with futuristic designs adapted to deep-sea living. Structures would need to be resistant to high pressure, strong currents, and low temperatures, possibly taking inspiration from coral reefs or deep-sea organisms according to Edgy. Cities would be powered by tidal and geothermal energy, eliminating dependence on fossil fuels, and glowing bioluminescent plants could replace traditional streetlights. Life in these aquatic cities would be vastly different from life on land, with travel happening through water tunnels, kelp forests serving as parks, and people farming seaweed and fish instead of grains and cattle.
Over time, people might begin moving permanently into these underwater habitats, shifting entire populations beneath the ocean’s surface to escape overpopulation, climate change, or natural disasters. Deep-sea tourism would boom, with people booking vacations to submerged resorts where they could explore shipwrecks, vibrant coral reefs, or even the abyssal trenches. New sports and leisure activities would emerge, such as competitive underwater parkour, high-speed current riding, and extreme deep-sea exploration. Political and economic systems might also evolve, with some cities declaring themselves independent nations or forming alliances with surface governments. In the long run, humanity’s presence in the ocean would completely alter the balance of marine ecosystems, creating both incredible opportunities and unforeseen environmental challenges.
2. Explore the Deepest Parts of the Ocean
If humans could breathe underwater, the ocean’s deepest and most mysterious regions would become an exciting frontier for exploration. Right now, the Mariana Trench and other abyssal zones remain largely unexplored due to the extreme pressures and lack of breathable air, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. But with the ability to breathe underwater, we’d send teams of scientists and adventurers to explore these uncharted areas, uncovering creatures and ecosystems previously hidden from human knowledge. Researchers could study deep-sea life forms like bioluminescent organisms, giant squids, and strange, undiscovered species that could revolutionize our understanding of biology and medicine. With underwater breathing, human presence could thrive at depths where submarines have only barely scratched the surface.
Additionally, the underwater exploration would push our technological capabilities even further, leading to new advancements in robotics, communication, and data collection. Entire research facilities could be established in the deep ocean, enabling long-term studies of oceanic life cycles and environmental changes. Adventurers and scientists alike might descend into the deep to investigate sunken cities, ancient shipwrecks, and long-lost treasures. These journeys could become as commonplace as space tourism, with people paying to explore the deepest parts of the ocean, bringing back souvenirs from the deepest trenches and the unique creatures they encounter. The possibilities for discovery would be endless, transforming our relationship with the ocean from something distant and terrifying into an accessible and thriving part of human life.
3. Participate in Underwater Sports and Extreme Activities
With the ability to breathe underwater, sports and extreme activities would take on an entirely new dimension. Imagine competitive swimming leagues where athletes race through kelp forests, dodge underwater currents, or navigate through submerged obstacle courses. Freediving would take on a whole new level of thrill, with world records being broken for deep dives that could last hours rather than minutes. Underwater soccer could emerge, with players competing in large, open ocean arenas, while underwater rugby, where teams push a giant ball across the seafloor, would attract extreme sports enthusiasts looking for the next big challenge. These sports would push human endurance and agility to their limits while also providing a unique and exhilarating experience for both athletes and spectators.
Beyond competitive sports, underwater adventures would become an exciting recreational activity for the masses. People could embark on extreme adventures like underwater rock climbing, free-fall descents, or underwater mountaineering on the steep peaks of submerged mountains. Human-powered submarines could allow for underwater biking or even race events, where competitors race through ocean tunnels or around coral reefs. Families could take vacations where they participate in deep-sea scavenger hunts or treasure hunting expeditions, scouring shipwrecks for relics from ancient civilizations. Ultimately, the ocean would become a giant playground, with endless possibilities for sport, adventure, and exploration that humans have never before been able to experience.
4. Harvest Resources from the Ocean Floor
One of the most practical ways that humans would change the way we interact with the ocean would be through resource harvesting. If humans could breathe underwater, we could tap into the wealth of resources that lie on the ocean floor, ranging from precious metals to rare minerals and fossil fuels. Imagine massive underwater mining operations, extracting resources like gold, silver, and lithium from the ocean’s depths without the need for costly, cumbersome equipment, according to the London School of Economics. This would revolutionize the mining industry, making resources far more accessible and reducing the environmental impact on land-based ecosystems. Underwater mining could provide the raw materials necessary for technology production, energy solutions, and even construction of the underwater cities we mentioned earlier.
Additionally, underwater agriculture would become a significant part of the global economy. Humans could cultivate vast underwater farms to harvest seaweed, shellfish, and other marine organisms on a much larger scale than is possible today. This could provide a sustainable source of food and materials, reducing reliance on terrestrial agriculture. People might even cultivate “ocean forests,” where kelp and other plants are farmed for food, biofuels, and medicinal purposes. The entire ocean would become a new frontier for farming, leading to innovative ways to produce food while maintaining environmental harmony. In short, humanity’s ability to breathe underwater would open up a wealth of economic and ecological possibilities that could help sustain life both in the ocean and on land.
5. Create Underwater Tourism Destinations
Imagine a world where you could vacation in an underwater resort, enjoying breathtaking views of coral reefs, giant manta rays, and schools of tropical fish all from the comfort of your underwater hotel room. With the ability to breathe underwater, a whole new type of tourism would emerge, one that centers around exploring the ocean and experiencing its wonders in an entirely new way. Instead of staying on land and taking boat trips to visit the sea, you could be submerged in underwater cabins, floating in the middle of vibrant marine ecosystems. Hotels would be designed as part of coral reefs or even massive underwater caves, with panoramic windows offering unobstructed views of ocean life.
In addition to resorts, entire underwater amusement parks could be built, offering visitors the chance to dive with dolphins, explore sunken ruins, or engage in underwater safaris to observe sharks, whales, and other majestic sea creatures, according to the BBC. Submerged restaurants would offer diners a chance to eat their meals while watching dolphins swim by or sharks glide past their windows. Popular tourist attractions could include underwater tours of shipwrecks, ocean trenches, or underwater caves, creating experiences that combine adventure, relaxation, and education. Underwater travel would become as common as air travel, with human-made habitats offering unique experiences that no land-based environment could ever match.
6. Study Marine Life Like Never Before
If humans could breathe underwater, the study of marine life would be revolutionized, allowing scientists to conduct in-depth research in ways that are currently unimaginable. Instead of relying on submersibles and diving equipment, marine biologists and ecologists could spend hours, days, or even weeks at a time in natural ocean environments, observing animal behavior, coral health, and the dynamics of underwater ecosystems. With the ability to breathe underwater, researchers could track migratory species, monitor coral reefs, or observe deep-sea creatures in their natural habitats without disturbing them. The knowledge gained from these studies could lead to groundbreaking discoveries about the ocean’s ecosystems, how they function, and how we can protect them from the effects of climate change and human activity.
Furthermore, underwater research could expand into the development of new medicines, technologies, and materials inspired by the unique organisms living in the ocean’s depths. Scientists could study bioluminescence, deep-sea creatures’ ability to regenerate limbs, or the unique properties of certain marine plants that can withstand extreme pressure and cold. Understanding these characteristics might allow for medical breakthroughs or innovations in materials science. Universities and research institutes could even build dedicated underwater labs for conducting experiments and advancing human knowledge of the marine world, turning the ocean into the next great frontier of scientific discovery.
7. Improve Underwater Infrastructure and Transportation
The ability to breathe underwater would dramatically improve human infrastructure and transportation networks. Imagine a world where underwater tunnels connect continents or islands, allowing for the efficient movement of people and goods beneath the sea. Submarines could become the new form of public transportation, with underwater highways linking major cities, cutting down on traffic congestion and pollution, according to EJAET. These tunnels could also serve as pipelines for moving water, gas, and electricity, revolutionizing the way we transport resources. The development of underwater roadways would make it possible to build underwater cities connected to one another, reducing the need for surface infrastructure and minimizing the impact on terrestrial ecosystems.
In addition to transportation, the underwater economy would rely heavily on shipping and cargo transport. With the ability to breathe underwater, workers could repair and maintain subsea cables, pipelines, and shipwrecks, leading to a more efficient and sustainable global trade network. Seafloor mining for rare resources and the collection of marine-based materials would make transportation through these underwater corridors even more vital. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and underwater drones could patrol these transportation routes, providing maintenance and monitoring while also supporting commercial enterprises that rely on the oceans. The result would be a seamless, integrated, and highly efficient system of underwater travel and infrastructure that dramatically alters the way we connect with the world.
8. Engage in Underwater Arts and Entertainment
If humans could breathe underwater, the arts and entertainment industries would undergo a massive transformation, leading to the creation of entirely new forms of art, performance, and cultural expression. Imagine a world where underwater theaters host live performances with actors performing in aquatic environments. Musicians would compose and perform songs designed for underwater acoustics, with special instruments created to harmonize with the sounds of the ocean. Imagine the ethereal music of underwater concerts with sounds reverberating in unique ways thanks to the water, creating a one-of-a-kind auditory experience.
Underwater films and visual arts would become a genre all their own, with artists using the ocean as both a canvas and a medium. Underwater photography and videography would push the boundaries of what is possible, capturing stunning images of aquatic life, sunken cities, and otherworldly landscapes. Artists could even construct massive underwater installations, where sculptures and murals would be displayed in clear, submerged domes. Underwater ballet or synchronized swimming might become popular, with dancers performing in a fluid, weightless environment, making for an extraordinary visual spectacle. The cultural possibilities for underwater arts and entertainment are endless, and they would likely rival any land-based form of artistic expression.
9. Harness the Ocean’s Potential for Clean Energy
If humans could breathe underwater, we would have unprecedented access to the ocean’s natural resources, and one of the most exciting opportunities would be harnessing its power for clean energy. The ocean holds vast amounts of renewable energy through tidal movements, underwater currents, and waves. With humans able to safely and effectively breathe underwater, we could set up massive energy-generation systems directly in the water, tapping into this endless energy source. Tidal energy farms would stretch across the ocean floor, with turbines powered by the movement of the sea, generating electricity for coastal cities and far-off islands. These farms could produce vast amounts of power while having minimal environmental impact, especially compared to land-based energy systems.
Additionally, underwater solar panels and wave energy devices could be deployed to take advantage of the continuous movement of the ocean’s surface. Underwater wind turbines could capture the energy from ocean breezes, providing consistent and reliable power for entire regions. Offshore platforms would be designed to harvest energy from deep-sea currents, creating new networks for distributing energy across the world. This shift toward renewable, ocean-based energy would reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help combat climate change, making the ocean not just a place for human habitation but a vital resource for sustaining life on Earth.
10. Explore and Harvest the Potential of Marine Pharmaceuticals
The ability to breathe underwater would allow humans to dive deep into the ocean’s ecosystems to explore and harvest the vast potential of marine life for medical advancements. Many marine organisms produce unique biochemical compounds that have yet to be fully explored or understood. Sea sponges, marine fungi, and even some fish have shown remarkable abilities to fight infections, regenerate tissue, or resist the effects of aging, making them prime candidates for pharmaceutical research. With direct access to these species, scientists could study them in their natural habitats, developing groundbreaking treatments for a variety of ailments.
Imagine an entire industry dedicated to the development of marine-based pharmaceuticals. Researchers would dive into coral reefs, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and other marine environments to discover new compounds with medical applications. Marine drugs could treat everything from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease, providing innovative solutions that land-based organisms could not offer. Additionally, we might learn to synthesize powerful antibiotics and painkillers from marine life, offering us new weapons in the fight against disease. With underwater breathing, we could revolutionize the way we approach medicine, creating a more sustainable and diverse arsenal of treatments that could save countless lives around the world.
