63. Singing the Depths

Given that more than 70 percent of our world is ocean, and that they contain 91 percent of the world’s water, isn’t it surprising how little we still know about this life-giving, awe-inducing body? These exceptional researchers and authors help us understand more about The Deep while speaking to the sense of wonder many of us feel upon contemplating the waves. James Bradley reckons with our complex connection to the seas, incorporating insights of philosophers, scientists, and artists to understand our impacts on the ocean in Deep Water. Amorina Kingdon uncovers magnificent, strange happenings in the deep sea in her revelatory Sing Like Fish, which documents how underwater animals use tapping and sound to navigate. Together, they paint a picture of the hidden brilliance of our marine ecosystems—and what we must do to protect and preserve them. Moderated by Laura Lynch.

Presented with the generous support of Pacific Salmon Foundation.

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James Bradley

JAMES BRADLEY is a writer and critic. His books include the novels Wrack, The Deep Field, The Resurrectionist, Clade, and Ghost Species; a book of poetry, Paper Nautilus; and The Penguin Book of the Ocean. Alongside his books, James has an established career as an essayist and reviewer, whose work has appeared in many publications, including The Guardian, The Monthly, Sydney Review of Books, Times Literary Supplement, Meanjin, and Griffith Review. His fiction has won or been shortlisted for a wide range of Australian and international literary awards, and his essays and articles have been shortlisted twice for the Bragg Prize for Science Writing and nominated for a Walkley Award. In 2012, he won the Pascall Award for Australia’s Critic of the Year. He is currently an Honorary Associate at the Sydney Environment Centre at the University of Sydney.

Amorina Kingdon

AMORINA KINGDON is a science writer whose work has been anthologized in Best Canadian Essays and received honors including a Digital Publishing Award, a Jack Webster Award, and a Best New Magazine Writer from the National Magazine Awards. Previously, she was a staff writer for Hakai Magazine. She lives in Victoria.

Laura Lynch

LAURA LYNCH is a journalist and host who has won the prestigious Nieman fellowship from Harvard University, awards from the British Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, and Amnesty International, among others. She is the host of What on Earth, a CBC Radio series covering climate change and climate solutions.