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 epitomize 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.
