What the Wild Sea Can Be: The Future of the World’s Ocean

Helen Scales examines the impact of environmental changes caused by global warming on the earth’s oceans. She provides examples of the detrimental effects as well as those where changes have brought back marine species, such as results of international agreements and “no-take” zones. This book contains detailed information about the ocean’s history, vanishing species, destruction of habitats, attempts at restoration, and the outlook for the future. The author outlines the reasons that biodiversity is important. She analyzes critical elements of impact on marine life, such as rising temperatures, rising acidity, harmful bacteria and viruses, plastic contamination. She also spells out plenty of reasons why everyone should care show more about the seas.

I appreciate her “big picture” evaluation of marine ecosystems, including how mass migrations caused by species trying to find a new habitat can upset the ecological balance. Scales cites the latest worry that giant corporations will harm ecosystems and marine life by mining the ocean floor, which, once disturbed by heavy machinery, will take thousands of years (if ever) to regenerate. This would have a domino effect on the cleanliness of the water, harmful sound pollution that could kill or maim or reroute migration paths of many thousands of marine animals and decrease the ability of the ocean to contribute to clean air. The ocean is one of the largest carbon dioxide absorbers and produces oxygen through photosynthesis. There are important reasons to protect our oceans!

The optimism indicated by the title has to do with the many successes that have already occurred when countries have clamped down on trawling, dredging, and other types of commercial harvesting. The author provides many examples of the ways in which individuals can make decisions on a smaller scale that, taken together, can make a large positive difference. She is basically making a case for short-term sacrifices that will yield long-term benefits.

The author’s love for the wonders of the marine world is obvious, and she offers a level of hope not often found in environmental books. “I hope this book will offer an antidote to the rising tide of eco-anxiety and fears for the future of the planet….and turn that fear into commitment and initiative.” Highly recommended. show less

In WHAT THE WILD SEA CAN BE, Scales explores the broad impact of threats to the ocean, often through a social-justice lens, and offers solutions. I appreciated the dive back into the history of the ocean including discussion of the negative results of colonialism on ocean life, thus providing context as to how we got here and how systemic changes are necessary to protect our oceans. Overall, the analysis felt a little light with some areas being repetitive. The writing was easy to digest and leaned toward a pop-sci style possibly to appeal to a wider audience which is great as this is an extremely important topic, though it left me wanting more. That’s not to say that I didn’t glean new information; I guess I was anticipating a show more deeper read. Nonetheless, I’d still recommend this to anyone interested in ocean health and conservation, global warming, and the human/marine interface. show less