The Future of Water: An Ocean Explorer and Shark Ecologist on the Element Flowing Through the World

For thirty years, ocean explorer and shark ecologist Cristina Zenato has tackled conservation in the Bahamas, seeking a delicate environmental balance from the perspective of these islands. But in her quest to protect sharks and their environment, Zenato has found that one element reaches far beyond the caves she dives, the animals she protects, and the lands from which she works.

In “The Future of Water,” Zenato takes us on a journey through pine forests, mangroves, submerged caves, and open ocean — showing us how, in these fragile places, even the slightest change can have far-reaching impacts. Following these ripple effects, we find that water, whether salt, fresh, rain, or frozen, flows through every aspect of our lives.

Water not only connects the stories of small islands and the oceans that surround them — but also the stories of those residing in landlocked nations. The cycles of freshwater and saltwater, being both global and sensitive, provide a striking perspective for our understanding of conservation, connection, and collaboration.

Bio

A professional diver since 1994, Cristina Zenato is an ocean and cave explorer, shark ecologist, photographer, speaker, writer, and conservationist. Zenato, who works with sharks in the wild, spearheaded the campaign that resulted in the full protection of sharks in the Bahamas. She has conducted the exploration and surveys of numerous new cave systems, which are now part of marine protected areas.

A member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame and the Explorers Club, Zenato is a firm believer in the power of education and spends her time teaching above and below the water. She is the founder of the nonprofit People of the Water, which expands the distribution of ocean and environmental training, education, and research.

Zenato’s work can be summarized in three words: Exploration, Education, Conservation.

Follow Zenato on Instagram: @cristinazenato.