This book provides an educational and engaging look at the interdependent relationship between the oceans and ourselves, and what is needed to protect the oceans' ecosystems. Young adults learn about a variety of human activities that affect water temperature, oxygen levels, acidity, ice density, sea levels and sea-life populations. Bates explains how measures such as blue carbon initiatives to prohibit deep-sea mining, replanting mangroves, protecting salt marshes and seagrasses and restoring coral reefs have benefits that have a multiplier effect--and that it is more cost-effective and financially rewarding to do these now rather than later.