First "World Ocean Review" now available in English
Following its major impact in German-speaking countries, the "World Ocean Review" (WOR) is now available in English.
WOR's declared aim is to mobilize science in order to create an understanding of the state of the world's oceans, thus generating awareness of ocean concerns among the international public.
Our oceans are changing: climate change is driving temperatures and sea levels upwards, and is rapidly acidifying seawater. Our over-exploitation and pollution of the oceans will have drastic and sustained impacts on the planet's largest ecosystem - yet the consequences are still largely unknown. Scientists all over the world are therefore engaged in an urgent quest to better understand the opportunities and risks that our oceans hold for the future.
Nikolaus Gelpke, initiator of the WOR project and publisher of the mareverlag publishing house, established the non-profit company maribus gGmbH two years ago with the aim of increasing public awareness of the interconnected nature of the diverse aspects of the marine environment and thus boosting marine conservation. The World Ocean Review is maribus's first publication. To produce this review, a team of partners were assembled who are renowned for their many years of commitment to the ocean realm and expertise at the forefront of scientific inquiry:
The Cluster of Excellence "The Future Ocean" - a research alliance involving more than 250 scientists investigating climate and ocean change at diverse institutes in the German city of Kiel - emerged as the key partner. Drawing on the alliance's outstanding expertise and applying an interdisciplinary approach, more than 40 scientists within the Cluster have authored this first World Ocean Review. Cooperation with the mareverlag publishing house has delivered a text written in a clear and accessible style.
The two other partners are the International Ocean Institute (IOI) founded by Elisabeth Mann Borgese, and the non-profit Ocean Science and Research Foundation (OSRF) also established by her. The IOI provides logistical support, its close association with the work of the United Nations playing an important role. The OSRF provides financial backing for the project.
Nikolaus Gelpke, director of maribus and publisher of mareverlag, is delighted that WOR has succeeded in condensing a vast amount of information into a successful publication: "The World Ocean Review allows us to understand the complexity of our oceans and the critical nature of their present state, thus bringing these concerns and the urgent need to respond to the forefront of public awareness."
Professor Dr. Martin Visbeck, spokesperson of the Cluster of Excellence "The Future Ocean": "WOR delivers an accessible report on the state of the world's oceans and their interplay with ecological, economic and sociopolitical conditions. This first World Ocean Review explains the key role played by the oceans in climate change processes, probes the uncertain future of our coasts, and reveals the mechanisms behind mounting marine pollution and misguided fishery policies. Yet it also highlights the search for mineral and energy resources on the ocean floor that may be vital for the future, and the great prospects of deriving medical knowledge and active substances from the oceans."
The World Ocean Review is not sold, but distributed free of charge. There is no commercial intent. The review is available at www.worldoceanreview.com. Beside the English-language version, there is also one in German. The entire review will be published simultaneously online at www.worldoceanreview.com and can be used without restriction for non-commercial purposes.
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World Ocean Review, published by maribus gGmbH, Hamburg 2010, 236 pages, with numerous illustrations and photographs, paperback.
Links:
www.worldoceanreview.com, www.mare.de, www.ozean-der-zukunft.de
Contact maribus gGmbH:
maribus gGmbH
Stephanie Haack, Publicity
Pickhuben 2, 20457 Hamburg / Germany
Phone: 0049-40-368076-22
E-Mail: haack@maribus.com
Contact "The Future Ocean":
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Exzellenzcluster "The Future Ocean":
Dr. Anke Feiler-Kramer, PR-Management
Phone: 0049-431-880-3032
E-Mail: presse@ozean-der-zukunft.de