Sea sick follows journalist Alanna Mitchell across the globe on a voyage of discovery. Working with scientists she finds out just how sick our oceans are, and just how vital they are to the survival of not just humans but to the entire planet as we know it. The back cover reads “you thought the climate was the problem actually, it’s the ocean” and the book shows us just why this is.
Through a series of case studies Mitchell reveals the truth about the state of our ocean, not just as a result of climate change but, habitats, changes in marine breeding behaviour, over fishing and other commercial practises, extinction of vital plankton species and issues such as migratory routes of fish and dead zones. Ultimately explaining that the state of our climate largely relies on the state and stability of our ocean, and in fact, Earth wouldn’t have an atmosphere or climate if it wasn’t for the ocean. Earth relies on plankton to provide 50% of the planets oxygen and likewise its ability to absorb carbon, without it the planet as we know it is doomed.
Not everything in the book is doom and gloom though. Mitchell makes reference to there being hope, and if we act now, her and scientists alike believe we can save our oceans and with it the planet.
This is an excellent book putting into perspective the imminent danger of total collapse, which the ocean faces. It is full of facts and figures but is by no means overwhelming. If I were to recommend a book to explain how intrinsic the good health of the sea is to our survival then this is it. An entrancing read emphasising the need for a greater and wider understanding of our ocean.
