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What the Wild Sea Can Be

Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Nonfiction
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( 580 ratings, 103 reviews)
Brief Description
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTIONLONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION No matter where we live, we are all ocean people, Helen Scales observes in her bracing yet hopeful exploration of the future of the ocean. Beginning with its fascinating deep history, Scales... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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An impassioned examination of the existential threats to the world's ocean and cautious optimism for the abundant life within it.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION
LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION

No matter where we live, we are all ocean people, Helen Scales observes in her bracing yet hopeful exploration of the future of the ocean. Beginning with its fascinating deep history, Scales links past to present to show how prehistoric ocean ecology holds lessons for the ocean of today.

In elegant, evocative prose, she takes us into the realms of animals that epitomise current increasingly challenging conditions, from emperor penguins to sharks and orcas. Yet despite these threats, many hopeful signs remain, in the form of highly protected reserves, the regeneration of seagrass meadows and giant kelp forests, and efforts to protect coral reefs.

Offering innovative ideas for protecting coastlines and cleaning the toxic seas, Scales insists we need more ethical and sustainable fisheries and must prevent the other existential threat of deep-sea mining. Inspiring us all to maintain a sense of awe and wonder at the majesty beneath the waves, she urges us to fight for the better future that still exists for the ocean.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781804710531

Publisher: Atlantic Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 April 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Grove Press

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Dr Helen Scales is a marine biologist, acclaimed author and broadcaster who explores the wonders and plight of the oceans and the living planet. Her books, including The Brilliant Abyss and Spirals in Time, have been adapted for stage and screen, and translated into 15 languages. She writes for National Geographic Magazine and the Guardian, teaches at Cambridge University and is a storytelling ambassador for the Save Our Seas Foundation. Helen divides her time between Cambridge, England, and the wild Atlantic coast of France.

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