The Living Ocean

The first edition of The Living Ocean, published in 1991 by Island Press in association with Friends of the Earth, was widely praised by scientists, policymakers, instructors, and general readers as a useful and accessible introduction to the science and policy of biological diversity in marine environments. Since that time, much new research has been conducted and numerous national and international policy initiatives have been undertaken.With 1998 designated by the United Nations as the International Year of the Ocean, this new, revised and expanded, edition is a welcome and much-needed addition to the literature.This edition brings the volume up-to-date, and re-establishes it as an essential primer for anyone wishing to gain an understanding of marine biodiversity and how it can be protected. It provides an overview of basic concepts and principles and a review of relevant policy issues and existing instruments. The author:defines biological diversity and discusses the importance of threats to marine biodiversity reviews the current status of scientific knowledge describes the major coastal and oceanic ecosystem types and addresses the major threats in each presents a general discussion of the ways in which government and the public can protect marine biological diversity provides specific examples of national and international policies, legal instruments, programs, and institutions addresses how social, economic, political, and ethical considerations affect decisions to conserve marine biological diversity considers the involvement of citizens in developing ocean policy The book also includes a useful glossary that provides information about basic biological concepts, and a comprehensive bibliography. Throughout, the author emphasizes the relationship of human societies and governments to the living ocean, and the need to implement programs that will protect ecosystems and species.

I have enjoyed writing this book. Some of my ideas are controversial. Some of them I know to be true though I have not sufficient evidence for a conviction. My intention is that you should realise that microbes will be as important in the future of the earth as they have been in the past. They have led to our existence, and may help to prevent our destruction; they may even save us from ourselves. i As a student, I was taught that a scientist must be objective, and that every statement or observation must be documented. Also, that a scien tist must seek the truth, and not be satisfied with less. It took me a long time to realize that no human being can be completely objective, and that the truth, even scientific truth, is a chimera. The most that we can get with our human minds and feeble experimentation is an approxima tion, and all we can hope to contribute is a better approximation than we have had to date. Newton's theories were regarded as absolute until Einstein came along; and now it seems that Einstein may be inadequate.

Explores the ocean environment as a habitat for life, the kinds of organisms found in the ocean, and the relations of people to the sea.

An exhilarating collection of today's most remarkable homes built in awe-inspiring coastal locations around the world White-sand beaches, jaw-droppingly sheer cliff faces, and secret coves are just some of the stunning sites of the architect-designed contemporary houses featured in this celebration of incredible residences that exist in harmony with the extraordinary power of the ocean. With such unique residences as light-houses, homes built into rocky clifftops, and even rooms that are totally underwater, this inspirational collection includes spectacular homes across the globe including prime examples in countries across 6 continents, from Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, to the UK and USA. In glorious color with dazzling images throughout, this book brings together the finest examples of residential coastal architecture from 47 of the world's most revered architects, such as Elemental, Ryue Nishizawa, Pezo von Ellrichshausen, and Fearon Hay as well as a host of lesser-known creative studios. Each home featured is showcased by glorious exterior and interior photography, and each shares a profound connection to the raw and thrilling beauty of the sea and the shore line around it.

The Ocean covers over 70 percent of our planet's surface and accounts for 97-99 percent of the liveable biosphere. She is the cradle of our existence and the heart of our blue home, a vast, living and breathing superorganism. The Ocean Is Alive is first and foremost a celebration of the Ocean in all her living splendour. It takes the reader on a fascinating and informative voyage of discovery into the blue heart our planet, from the Ocean's formation more than four billion years ago and the emergence of life deep below her surface, to the incredible diversity and exuberance we know today. But much more than this, it is a journey of discovery into Ocean consciousness: through the evolution of the senses, the emergence of sentient behaviour, and finally an intriguing exploration of what the author calls 'Ocean Mind'. In telling the Ocean's story Glenn Edney draws on his thirty years experience as an Ocean ecologist, underwater naturalist and professional diver to take us beyond the science and into the depths of what it is like to be an Ocean being. Using a combination of personal experience, stories and insights from others, along with guided visualizations, the author weaves a highly readable and thought provoking tale of an Ocean alive to itself, and alive to anyone willing to 'take the plunge'. But no contemporary story of the Ocean would be complete without investigating the current threats to the Ocean's wellbeing. In addressing these issues the author presents a compelling case for recognition of the Ocean as a living being with intrinsic value far beyond the benefits she provides humanity, and offers a new vision for our relationship with the living Ocean.