What wiped out the Megalodon, one of the largest predators to ever rule the ocean, and could the same environmental forces tell us something about what is happening to our planet today?
In this episode of Hines On Air, Matt Hines sits down with Andi Cross, expedition leader, strategist, communications executive, and professional diver, to explore climate change, ocean conservation, overfishing, fossil fuels, pollution, biodiversity loss, overpopulation, and Earth’s resource limits. Andy also shares how she moved from the corporate world into environmental work and began joining research expeditions around the world.
The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Andy describes diving through dark rivers in South Carolina searching for Megalodon teeth. She explains how massive these prehistoric sharks were and why scientists believe changing climate, falling sea levels, declining food sources, and competition from newer predators all contributed to Megalodon extinction.
What makes that history especially relevant today is how quickly changing environmental conditions can reshape an entire ecosystem. Andy connects the Megalodon story to modern concerns around ocean warming, overfishing, habitat loss, pollution, and resource depletion, raising a bigger question about how today’s changes could affect marine life, food systems, and the future health of our oceans.
If you are interested in Megalodon extinction, prehistoric sharks, climate change, global warming, ocean exploration, environmental science, scuba diving, sustainability, and ocean conservation, this episode connects the ancient past with some of the biggest environmental questions we are facing today.