Elementum, Hearth

Elementum is a journal of nature and story and for its fifth edition, Hearth, editor Jay Armstrong wanted to draw attention to human settlements and the ways in which we live on the earth. In her piece Ocean Paths, Helen Scales draws on the writing and experiences of marine biologist Rachel Carson, following undercurrents which unite all of the earth’s oceans as one. Onboard the Pelican ship, Scales experiences the sea as Carson did, one moment a dot in the centre of a vast blue expanse, the next hugged by walls of fog, intensifying the already confined space of the ship. She speaks of home — not necessarily where we’re born but where we find that feels like ours, even if it takes a long time, journeying along the currents, to get there.

Thank you very, very much to Elementum for donating this copy of Hearth to The Nature Library — we’re huge fans of the publication which so beautifully pairs nature writing and art, each edition thoughtfully made from the first word to the final brushstroke.

We’ve already shared an episode of The Infinite Monkey Cage in which Helen Scales talks about the fascinating minds of octopuses, and here’s an opportunity to share yet another one where, about the oceans, the panel asks — what remains to be discovered? And if you like the sound of that you’ll really, really like the sound of Sea Shambles on Sunday 17 May.

Helen Scales is a writer, marine biologist and broadcaster whose work focuses on the ocean — the things that live there and the connections between people, science and the living world. Her books include the Guardian bestseller Spirals in Time, New Scientist Book of the Year Eye of the Shoal and most recently Octopuses. Scales also teaches marine biology and science writing at Cambridge University and I’m scientific advisor for the marine conservation charity Sea Changers.