The Once and Future Ocean: Notes Toward a New Hydraulic Society

by Peter Neill

Overview

A call to action for a sustainable future, transforming our relationship with the ocean and its vital role in human survival.

The Once and Future Ocean, by Peter Neill, envisions a new “hydraulic society” where the ocean and its inter-connected cycles of water determine how we live. This book explores the ocean's impact on:

• Climate
• Fresh water
• Food
• Energy
• Health
• Security
• Community living
• Cultural traditions

Neill argues for a new ocean ethic and offers concrete solutions for a world looking for alternatives. He challenges us to move beyond concern to action, to embrace a new vision of sustainability that values the ocean as essential to our future.

For general readers interested in environmental issues, policy makers, scientists, and anyone concerned about the future of the ocean.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780918172563
Publisher:	Leete's Island Books
Publication date:	04/01/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Peter Neill is Founder and Director of the World Ocean Observatory, a web-based place of exchange about the ocean and its relation to climate, fresh water, food, energy, health, security, economic development, policy, governance, and cultural traditions. He is the past Director of the Connecticut Marine Science Consortium, the Maritime Preservation Program at the US National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the South Street Seaport Museum (New York). He is the author of three novels, numerous books on maritime art, history, and iiterature, and the ongoing audio feature, World Ocean Radio.

Editorial Reviews

"We live on an ocean planet, though most of us rarely remember it; that blindness is one of the reasons we've stood by as the seas acidified, one of the great environmental crises in human history. This powerful book reminds us that our maritime identity is one important way we can start rebuilding a damaged planet.” —Bill McKibben, author, Eaarth; founder, 350.org

"I recommended this book to all my friends and co-workers, no matter what their background; the book speaks to everyone and provides guidance on how we can take steps at home and in our workplace to start initiating this change. The book had a deep impact on me personally; I have started to do more to play my part and have included my son on our journey towards contributing to a new hydraulic society." —Mireille Chiasson, Regional Manager, Oceans Management & Ecosystem Management, Fisheries and Oceans, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

"In the spirit of Rachel Carson’s The Sea Around Us, Neill not only raises concern for our rapidly deteriorating marine environment, but also offer the concept of a 'New hydraulic society' and its great potential for a world looking for an alternative solution.” —Dr. Paul Mayewski, Director, Climate Change Institute, University of Maine

"This book represents an interesting and important contribution for a better public awareness of the great importance of the Oceans – and Water itself – for the survival of our Planet. It is essential to change into a new development paradigm, based on the values of sustainability and democracy." —Mario Soares, Chair, Independent World Commission on the Future of the Oceans

From the Publisher