The Ocean

‘A thought provoking, well written and deeply considered book which goes to the heart of our oceans, blue economy and climate change. A must-read’ - Guy Platten, Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping

‘This book is a masterful review of the environmental, geopolitical and economic forces shaped by the world’s oceans’ - Elana Wilson Rowe, Research Professor, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs

‘Gradually but systematically, individual stories coalesce to a grand vision, not only about the ocean, but also about us, humans - our destiny, moral, and future’ - Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, 2015-2024

‘If you have ever wondered, ‘Why is the Ocean…’ from scientific, historical, geopolitical, societal, legal, economic, and cultural perspectives, this is the book you want to read’ - Hiroko Muraki Gottlieb, Head of Delegation to the High Seas Treaty negotiations, International Council of Environmental Law, and Associate, Harvard University

‘The ocean connects us, it feeds us and it promises both opportunities and risks. Read, reflect and digest these perspectives in Sturla Henriksen’s great book’ - General Eirik Kristoffersen, Chief of Defense, Norway

‘There could be no better guide for this journey than Sturla Henriksen’ - Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of United Nations Global Compact, 2015-2020

Sturla Henriksen is a Special Advisor on Ocean issues to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) since January 2018, directing UNGC’s global projects involving corporations, research institutions, and governments. With a background as Director and Partner at Astrup Fearnley Asset Management AS and former CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, Sturla brings extensive experience to his role. A graduate of the University of Oslo, he holds key board positions, including at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and the Arctic University of Norway’s Executive Ocean Leadership Program Advisory Board. Beyond his professional endeavors, Sturla is a passionate scuba diver, adding a personal touch to his commitment to global ocean sustainability.