Although you may not realise it, the ocean’s temperatures, chemistry, currents and life make the Earth habitable for us all. Oceans cover 70 percent of our planet and we rely on them for food, energy and water. The ocean produces over half of the world's oxygen and absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere. The ocean transports heat from the equator to the poles, regulating our climate and weather patterns. Throughout history, oceans and seas have been vital conduits for trade and transportation and ocean-dependent businesses employ a huge number of people. Yet, we have managed to do tremendous damage to this resource. There is a continuous deterioration of coastal waters owing to pollution and ocean acidification is having an adversarial effect on the functioning of ecosystems and marine life.