Understanding the Oceans brings together an internationally distinguished group of authors to consider the enormous advances in marine science that have been achieved since the voyages of HMS Challenger a century ago. The whole book draws inspiration from the seminal contribution made by the research conducted on those voyages, and each contributor considers the significance of the findings, relating them to the exciting developments of today and tomorrow.
Covering the whole spectrum of the marine sciences, the book has been written and edited very much with the non-specialist reader in mind. Marine scientists, whether students or researchers, will welcome this authoritative sweep through the history of their subject through to the present day; other scientists will find the book to be an accessible and informative introduction to marine science and its historical roots.

The Brent Spar saga has become an environmental icon of the late 1990s and its recent conclusion will have repercussions into the 21st century. Like the Newbury Bypass and the Exxon Valsez, this is one environmental issue with real resonance for the public. This text chronicles the events leading up to the recent decision to recycle the offshore installation in a Norwegian fjord; the Greenpeace campaign to stop it being dumped at sea; the repercussions of Shell's decision to abort the decommissioning at the eleventh hour and the dialogue processes that have occurred to attempt to resolve the issue. It aims to give a balanced, impartial account of the situation. Its key aim being to inform the reader about the facts and mechanisms of the dialogue process and the need to approach decisions in a different way. Readers should benefit from an account of the mistakes made by both sides, the input from government, the scientific community, the press and public, and they can apply this knowledge to future environmental issues.

The Brent Spar saga has become an environmental icon of the late 1990s and its recent conclusion will have repercussions into the 21st century. Like the Newbury Bypass and the Exxon Valsez, this is one environmental issue with real resonance for the public. This text chronicles the events leading up to the recent decision to recycle the offshore installation in a Norwegian fjord; the Greenpeace campaign to stop it being dumped at sea; the repercussions of Shell's decision to abort the decommissioning at the eleventh hour and the dialogue processes that have occurred to attempt to resolve the issue. It aims to give a balanced, impartial account of the situation. Its key aim being to inform the reader about the facts and mechanisms of the dialogue process and the need to approach decisions in a different way. Readers should benefit from an account of the mistakes made by both sides, the input from government, the scientific community, the press and public, and they can apply this knowledge to future environmental issues.

Understanding the Oceans brings together an internationally distinguished group of authors to consider the enormous advances in marine science that have been achieved since the voyages of HMS Challenger a century ago. The whole book draws inspiration from the seminal contribution made by the research conducted on those voyages, and each contributor considers the significance of the findings, relating them to the exciting developments of today and tomorrow. Covering the whole spectrum of the marine sciences, the book has been written and edited very much with the non-specialist reader in mind. Marine scientists, whether students or researchers, will welcome this authoritative sweep through the history of their subject through to the present day; other scientists will find the book to be an accessible and informative introduction to marine science and its historical roots.

Voyages of Discovery is a mesmerising visual record of ten of the world’s most significant natural history expeditions. Among the many stories of adventure and great scientific endeavour are: Sir Hans Sloane’s journey to Jamaica; Maria Sibylla Merian’s personal sojourn in Surinam; James Cook’s perilous Pacific crossings; William Bartram’s fanciful yet detailed documentation of North American wildlife; Matthew Flinders’ mapping of Australia accompanied by perhaps the greatest of all the natural history artists Ferdinand Bauer, and Charles Darwin’s fateful Beagle voyage.Hand-picked from the vast Library of the Natural History Museum, London, the illustrations and artworks contained here form a rare collection, many of which have only been published in this stunning book.