The Unknown Sea: The Importance of the Ocean for People and Planet

The Unknown Sea provides valuable insights on biodiversity, climate, and industry, helping readers develop a deeper understanding of the ocean and its critical role in the planet’s future.

Humans are at home on land, not in the sea. We know more about the surface of Mars than about our own deep sea. The ocean contains the highest mountains on Earth and is home to countless mysterious sea creatures that have barely been studied. Due to this lack of knowledge, we underestimate the crucial role the ocean plays for the planet--and therefore also for humanity for example, in the fight against climate change. This book aims to change that. Based on the latest scientific insights, it seeks to immerse the reader, through storytelling, in the hidden beauty and complex workings of the ocean. The authors explain how ocean warming, acidification, overfishing, and pollution not only threaten its fragile flora and fauna, but also us. Yet all is not lost: technological revolutions offer hope--if we act in time. The Unknown Sea explores how we can rise to the challenges. The Unknown Sea is officially endorsed as an Ocean Decade Activity under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). This recognition highlights the book’s contribution to advancing ocean knowledge and supporting global efforts toward a more sustainable and resilient ocean. Through its insights and perspectives, The Unknown Sea aligns with the Ocean Decade’s mission to transform ocean science into actionable solutions for society.

Colin Janssen is a full professor at the University of Ghent, where he teaches and conducts research in the fields of ecotoxicology and applied marine ecology. He researches the ecological effects of marine pollution and the relationship between the sea and human health. Jan Mees is the General Director of the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) in Ostend. He is a professor of marine biology at the University of Ghent and publishes on marine ecology, biodiversity, and data systems.