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Dr Helen Czerski’s ‘Blue Machine’ wins national prize on writing on conservation

16 September 2024

UCL Associate Professor, physicist and oceanographer Dr Helen Czerski’s book ‘Blue Machine: How the Ocean Shapes Our World’ was lauded by the panel for its “compelling narratives, inspiring stories and in-depth research”.

Photo of Helen Czerski on a research ship

Blue Machine, Dr Helen Czerski’s book exploring how the ocean works and its many significant impacts on life on earth, topped the shortlist to win the Wainwright Prize for writing on conservation in a London ceremony.

Dr Helen Czerski being awarded the Wanwright Prize for Writing on Conservation

A physicist, oceanographer and renowned science communicator with a passion for the natural world, Dr Czerski’s research focus at UCL is on the physics of breaking waves and bubbles at the ocean surface, with a view to developing a more detailed understanding of “how the ocean breathes”. Blue Machine, however, is aimed at wider audience, seeking to engage us all as “citizens of an ocean planet”

Describing the award for Blue Machine as a “lovely and unexpected honour” Dr Czerski said,

“It’s a huge honour to have won the Wainwright prize for conservation writing. I’m hoping that this will help even more people see themselves as citizens of an ocean planet, with all the richness, wonder and responsibility that entails. I think having a broader perspective on the ocean is essential for us to understand our world and our role in it.

 The ocean isn’t just blue filler that the fish live in - it’s a three-dimensional liquid engine that sets the scene for almost everything else on Earth. The story of that blue machine is gigantic and rich, full of surprising connections and influences, and I’ve been so touched by the many positive responses to my telling of that tale.”

Wainwright prize blue machine graphic
The Wainwright Prizes are awarded each year to books focused on nature which help foster respect for the environment. Prizes are awarded in three categories; Nature writing on nature, writing on conservation and nature writing for children.

Chair of Judges in this year’s Writing on Conservation category Joycelyn Longdon, said,

“In Blue Machine, we are immersed into the world of the ocean with spectacular detail, from the minuscule to the macroscopic, guided through the ocean’s anatomy and introduced to the people who live in intimate relationships with it. It is overwhelming and astounding how little we know about our oceans despite the immense role they play in sustaining life on this planet.

With ocean temperatures reaching 400-year highs, and mounting threats from deep-sea mining operations across the globe, understanding and taking action to protect ocean ecosystems has never been more urgent. Through compelling narratives, inspiring stories and in-depth research Helen Czerski transforms our view of the Blue Machine.”

Watch "How does the ocean shape our world?" with Dr Helen Czerski courtesy of the Royal Institution

YouTube Widget Placeholderhttps://youtu.be/hNUcwcO6ASY?si=oh1vvCeKG3-qB_1U

 

 

 

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