Floating computers fight climate change

The Argo programme was started back in 2000 — with the first UK float deployed in 2001 — and, by the beginning of November this year, there were around 3,000 of these floating computers in operation.

To maintain this level, around 800 Argo floats need to be deployed per year — at a total cost of £12m — as deployed devices reach the end of their working life.

The UK part of the programme is jointly funded by Defra, the MoD and the Natural Environment Research Council.

Credit: UCSD