Ocean Glories II
In this issue we return to a favourite theme, ‘Ocean Glories’ to celebrate the mostly hidden worlds of the ocean and to remember why we must act now to save these habitats and the creatures already warning us of the cost – to them and us – of losing them.
For the first time ever in the pages of Resurgence & Ecologist we have Sir David Attenborough, whose new book Ocean: Earth’s Last Wilderness is co-written with Colin Butfield, with the authors sharing an extract all about the challenges of filming the blue whale 25 years ago.
Our special theme, Wonders of the Deep, will take you on a deep dive down through the different ocean zones to the very bottom of the seabed, introducing some fantastic creatures along the way in an article by Ryan Loftus, written originally for the online campaigning platform, On The Edge.
And, in a deeply personal and heartfelt appreciation of the ocean, sailor and author, Hannah Stowe tells her then unborn son what majesty awaits, once he is born.
Hannah is just one of the contributors who remind us, in this issue, that the ocean has been calling for our help for a long time now — and that if we continue to ignore those calls, we do so at our own peril.
There is much to lose but so much more to be gained, as ever, when we act together.
Highlights
- Climate breakdown and the sea urchin: Charlotte Sterland
- Playing with plants: Soham Kacker
- The blue heart of our planet: Roz Savage
- Earth’s last wilderness: David Attenborough and Colin Butfield
- Wonders of the deep: Ryan Loftus
Featured articles
It's time to protect our oceans
Resurgence & Ecologist Editor, Susan Clark introduces 'Ocean Glories II' – a deep dive into the world's most imperilled habitat. And whilst we celebrate the many wonderful ocean creatures, we cannot continue to ignore the threats to this fragile ecosystem.
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Rabies at sea
After detecting a rabies outbreak in marine mammals, scientists are trying to determine whether the virus is now established in South Africa's Cape fur seals – and, if so, how to stop it from spreading further. Roman Goergen reports.
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Playing with plants
Can playing shift the way we see nature and our place within it? Soham Kacker shares how 'befriending' plants as playmates in his childhood opened the door to an adult career in ecology, and his lifelong love of plants.
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Carrying the future
On watch throughout the night out on the Baltic Sea, sailor Hannah Stowe tells her unborn child of the marvellous world he is about to be born into. She recalls, "The water through which we sail is both ancient and new – moving, moving, constantly cycling. Cooling, heating, sinking, rising."
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Rights of the deep
Artist Emma Critchley – together with a group of Pacific-based experts and ocean science and law advisors, all alarmed by the prospect of deep-sea mining licences being granted – reflects on humanity's relationship with the deep ocean and advocate for its protection.
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The real problem at hand
Diyora Shadijanova unpicks a searing debut about how to rebalance power and get away from the distractions of culture wars in her review of Minority Rule: Adventures in the Culture War by Ash Sarkar.
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Picture Credits
Cover image and It's time to protect our oceans: Mothership by Olivier Leger; Rabies at sea: Photo by Federico Facchin; Playing with plants: Artwork by Pattie Lee Becker; Carrying the future: Star Compass by Hannah Stowe; Rights of the deep: Emma Critchley, Soundings, John Hansard Gallery, 2025. Courtesy artist. Photo: Nosa Malcolm
Inside this issue
Article is free for all to view
Welcome
It's time to protect our oceans • Susan Clark
We cannot continue to ignore the mounting threats to this fragile ecosystem
Regulars
Noticeboard
Highlighting stories for change
Ecologist
Rabies at sea • Roman Goergen
Investigating the world's first marine rabies outbreak among Cape fur seals in South Africa
Bin your butts • Nathalie Leung Shing
Transforming cigarettes into art with a powerful message for beachgoers
Climate breakdown and the sea urchin • Charlotte Sterland
Exploring how declining ocean salinity is affecting the survival of sea urchins
Connected life
Playing with plants • Soham Kacker
Reflecting on how playful childhood encounters with plants shaped his life as an ecologist
Nature's 'swifties' • Kate Blincoe
An interview with Hannah Bourne-Taylor the campaigner using creativity and courage to fight for Britain's swifts
The blue heart of our planet • Roz Savage
A plea to act from love to protect the Earth's greatest ecosystem
The slow read
Earth's last wilderness • David Attenborough & Colin Butfield
This extract from Ocean takes us into the world of our largest mammal, the blue whale, and celebrates the power of ocean restoration
Ocean glories
Wonders of the Deep • Ryan Loftus
A mesmerising deep dive down through the ocean's hidden zones
Wisdom and wellbeing
Carrying the future • Hannah Stowe
Sharing a lyrical night-watch at sea
Dance of science and spirituality • Satish Kumar
Calling for a union of reason and reverence in the dawning Age of Ecology
Harvesting Saffron • Bonnie Lander Johnson
Exploring the lost wisdom of plant care through the lens of saffron
Art and culture
A new kind of climate movement • David Lan
Sharing the story behind THE HERDS, a global puppet-led protest
The human experience • Emma Talbot
Art exploring our entanglement with Nature through myth, silk and seaweed
Rights of the deep • Emma Critchley
Calling for action to protect the ocean against deep-sea mining
A library of ice • Rachel Marsh & Briony Hughes
Introducing poet Nancy Campbell
Reviews
What the parenting handbooks do not cover • Elizabeth Wainwright
Review of Mother Animal
The real problem at hand • Diyora Shadijanova
Review of Minority Rule: Adventures in the Culture War
A much-needed pep talk? • Russell Warfield
Review of Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference
The freedom to roam • India Bourke
Review of Lone Wolf: Walking the Faultlines of Europe
The art of declaring a climate emergency • Alicia Hayden
Review of Ackroyd & Harvey: The Art of Activism
Science in protest • Tom Hardy
Review of Scientists on Survival: Personal Stories of Climate Action
Pondering a post-growth future • Natalie Bennett
Review of Liquidate: How Money is Dissolving the World


