In his new book published by Éditions Quæ, Philippe Goulletquer, an expert in biological oceanography and former deputy scientific director at Ifremer, debunks 50 common misconceptions about the oceans. This accessible, popular science book provides a rigorous overview of the physical properties of the oceans, marine biodiversity, and the environmental pressures affecting these ecosystems essential to the planet.
Deconstructing preconceived ideas about the ocean
Are the deep seabeds completely dark? Is the blue color of the ocean due to the reflection of the sky? Do corals only live in warm seas? Can the ocean absorb CO₂ indefinitely?
Published on July 2nd by Éditions Quæ, the book 50 Misconceptions About the Oceans confronts common misconceptions with the latest scientific knowledge. Through 50 themes, Philippe Goulletquer offers an accessible exploration of the oceans, their workings, and the environmental challenges they face.
The book addresses both the physical properties of the oceans and the richness of their biodiversity, the resources they provide, and the impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems.
A commitment to the dissemination of scientific knowledge
After more than forty years dedicated to marine research at Ifremer, Philippe Goulletquer continues with this book his commitment to the transmission of scientific knowledge to the general public.
The book arose from the numerous discussions the author had at conferences, trade shows, school visits, and science outreach activities. These discussions informed his thinking about the public’s expectations and questions regarding the ocean and the changes affecting it.
« Our mission as scientists is also to transmit our knowledge to a wider audience, to combat preconceived ideas and to bring nuance through scientific information, » emphasizes Philippe Goulletquer.
Better understanding the challenges of protecting marine biodiversity
Among the topics discussed, Philippe Goulletquer places particular emphasis on the issue of protecting marine biodiversity and the associated regulatory mechanisms.
Beyond international objectives for the protection of marine areas, he points out that numerous conservation tools exist that are still largely unknown to the general public. A better understanding of these tools is, in his view, essential for raising awareness of the challenges related to ocean conservation.
