Saltwater: A Natural History of the Sea

WE CAME FROM THE SEA From tidal estuaries to tropical reefs, saltwater has been central to evolution; the amniotic fluid of life itself. Vestiges of our salty origins can be found in the physiological makeup of land dwellers today, and marine chemistry still defines the boundaries of existence for most aquatic animals. But even as we rely upon the sea's life-giving properties, we have failed to protect it. Saltwater brings readers face to face with the secrets of the marine realm, revealing massive sperm whales, delicate dumbo octopuses, nightmarish viperfish, and even the ocean's own version of the northern lights: a shimmering bioluminescent display that illuminates the darkest fathoms. It examines humanity's eternal connection with the oceans, from ancient fishing traditions to the devastating legacy of industrial whaling. And it shows how today, even as the ocean bears the scars of overfishing, pollution, and climate change, this damage may yet be reversed though cutting-edge science and strategic conservation. Elegant, deeply researched, and ultimately galvanising, Saltwater is a paradigm-shifting look at how saltwater life shapes our world.