The Urgency of Oceanic Conservation
Helen Scales’ thought-provoking book, What the Wild Sea Can Be: The Future of the World’s Oceans, highlights the ongoing threats to marine ecosystems caused by climate change. From statistical warnings to firsthand accounts of marine life impacts, Scales provides a comprehensive perspective on the challenges our oceans face. The book is divided into three sections, examining the ocean’s historical context, the impact of vanishing species and habitats, and potential avenues for restoration.
Stark Realities and Shocking Statistics
Scales does not mince words when it comes to the immediacy of the crisis. She presents sobering statistics, like the halving of vertebrate life in the ocean over the past fifty years due to overexploitation, habitat destruction, and pollution. The book discusses various pressing issues such as warming waters, the spread of disease-causing bacteria and viruses, and the escalating problem of plastics contamination. A striking example is how blue whales consume over 10 million plastic particles daily on their migration routes, which has serious implications for their health and genetic expressions.
Hope Amidst the Crisis
While the situation might seem dire, Scales offers a message of hope and encouragement. She believes in the power of ‘mental time travel,’ urging readers to remember the ocean’s beauty and wonderment. Scales provides actionable advice for making conscious decisions that could benefit the Earth’s biodiversity, thus delivering a much-needed optimistic perspective. Through this book, she attempts to transform fear into a commitment to preserving our planet, making What the Wild Sea Can Be a beacon of light in an otherwise overwhelming flood of eco-anxiety-inducing news.
