9781422285589

INTRODUCTION T he oceans are immense and beautiful, dangerous and mysterious. They are filled with food, energy, and other riches. Yet oceans are more than that. The oceans play a key role in regulating Earth’s climate. They remove carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the atmosphere and provide the planet with half of its life-sustaining oxygen. They regulate weather patterns and cleanse the environment of poisons. Indeed, we depend on the oceans for our very survival.

7 A view of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. (Imdan/Dreamstime)