Welcome to Earth, 2249

With global warming continuing apace, humans need to be ready to live under the sea . . .

Our worst fears about the impacts of global warming and climate change have come to pass. The year is 2249 and dry land on planet Earth is quickly disappearing under our oceans as rising sea levels, extreme weather and melting glaciers cause huge coastal flooding. Mankind now has no choice but to adapt to a new aquatic life. The underwater invasion begins and fighting breaks out as humans attempt to control their new environment. But in this alien world they may have met their match against sea animals of all shapes and . . . Can they coexist with their marine environment, or are they destined to destroy it? After months of fighting, humans come to realise that the only way to survive in this new underwater world is to learn to

In this alien world they may have met their match against sea animals of all shapes and colours . . . Can they coexist with their marine environment, or are they destined to destroy it?

live side by side with the marine life around them. It isn’t long before they begin to understand that they have more in common with these weird and wonderful creatures than they first assumed; they may have camper vans, but the hermit crab has a mobile home of its own.

As an understanding and tolerance develops between mankind and sea creatures, they discover ways to help each other out: cleaner shrimps assist the children with washing the family car, while construction workers help the blind shrimps build a tunnel for the little shrimp and goby fishes.

Soon the humdrum of everyday life kicks in; people have to work, roads need building and regular services must be attended to. Life would appear to be comfortable as humans settle into their new surroundings. But is the environment as stable as they assume, or will their way of life have a detrimental effect on their new world?

It isn’t long before they begin to understand that they have more in common with these weird and wonderful creatures than they first assumed

False clown anemone fish (Amphiprion ocellaris) in Bunaken National Marine Park, Indonesia.

White-spotted hermit crab (Dardanus megistos) off Mabul Island, Sabah, Malaysia.

Black-finned snake eel (Ophichthus altipennis), at Sabah, Malaysia.

Flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) in Indonesia.

Golden jellyfish (Mastigias papua) in Jellyfish Lake, Palau.

Pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) at Monad Shoal, Philippines.

White damselfish (Dischistodus perspicillatus) off Mabul Island, Sabah, Malaysia.

Tube worm (Sabellidae species) off Mabul Island, Sabah, Malaysia.

Hairy frogfish (Antennarius striatus) in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia.

Green turtle (Chelonia Mydas) off Sipadan Island, Sabah, Malaysia.

This is an extract from the book ‘Small Blue World’ by Jason Isley, published by Michael O’Mara Books (RRP R365)