Book Review - Forest of the Sea: The Remarkable Life and Imperiled Future of Kelp - Island Press, an Imprint of Princeton University Press

 

     David Helvarg takes us on an historical journey through this imperilled ecosystem, filling us with grief, anger and disbelief that we have exploited it beyond all reason, and have pushed an abundant, self-renewing resource almost into oblivion. Aside from the inherent functions of kelp forests as carbon sinks, more efficient even than terrestrial rainforests, they provide critical habitat for myriad species, from abalone to cod.

     You may ask yourself immediately, what is the commonality between abalone and cod? Answer - they have both been over-exploited almost to the point of extinction. Human short-sightedness and greed are at play, as they always are, in ignoring the integrity of a healthy, functioning ecosystem. The removal of a top predator, such as the Sea Otter, causes ecosystem collapse and rich kelp forests supporting all manner of life become urchin barrens. We can plainly see what overharvesting does, yet blindly we do it again.

     As is so often the case, having caused resource collapse, we spend millions of dollars attempting restoration. Tragically, with sickening predictability, we are always willing to sacrifice long term stability for short term financial gain. 

     Over harvesting, the traditional sin, has been joined by the more insidious issue of warming oceans, which are potentially life-threatening for all marine organisms. Can we reverse the trend? It is doubtful, and even were rapid remediation to occur, the long term damage will linger for decades, possibly centuries. In a senseless orgy of pernicious perversity the Trump administration is proactively reversing the  progress that has been made, eliminating years of enlightened legislation. More is needed, not less, yet we are now facing more acid rain, increased plastic pollution, seabed exploration and species extinction.

      Sylvia Earle, the doyenne of marine conservation, expresses it well, "We are altering the nature of nature, and we have to begin to restore life." We have known this for a long time but still lack the collective will to take meaningful action and time is running out.

      It is impossible to read this book and not come away with dismay and incredulity at human greed and stupidity, yet it is important that it has been written. Perhaps someone will heed the clarion call that action is needed NOW.

     We must cling to hope; hope and reality, however, are often poles apart. The stark reality of environmental damnation stares us daily in the face.

     One wishes that a triumphal march were being composed for the oceans; realistically it is more likely a requiem. 

     I earnestly hope that I will be proven wrong.

Forest of the Sea: The Remarkable Life and Imperiled Future of Kelp - Island Press, an Imprint of Princeton University Press

David Helvarg

Hardcover - US$30.00 - ISBN: 9781642833829

264 pages - 12 black-and-white illustrations 

6 x 9 inches (15 x 22.5 cm)

Publication date: 05 May, 2026