Most people know Ted Danson as the affable bartender Sam Malone in the long-running television series Cheers. But fewer realize that over the course of the past two and a half decades, Danson has tirelessly devoted himself to the cause of heading off a looming global catastrophe—the massive destruction of our planet's oceanic biosystems and the complete collapse of the world's major commercial fisheries. In Oceana, Danson details his journey from joining a modest local protest in the mid-1980s to oppose offshore oil drilling near his Southern California neighborhood to his current status as one of the world's most influential oceanic environmental activists, testifying before congressional committees in Washington, D.C.; addressing the World Trade Organization in Zurich, Switzerland; and helping found Oceana, the largest organization in the world focused solely on ocean conservation. In his incisive, conversational voice, Danson describes what has happened to our oceans in just the past half-century, ranging from the ravages of overfishing and habitat destruction to the devastating effects of ocean acidification and the wasteful horrors of fish farms. Danson also shares the stage of Oceana with some of the world's most respected authorities in the fields of marine science, commercial fishing, and environmental law, as well as with other influential activists. Combining vivid, personal prose with an array of stunning graphics, charts, and photographs, Ocean powerfully illustrates the impending crises and offers solutions that may allow us to avert them, showing you the specific courses of action you can take to become active, responsible stewards of our planet's most precious resource—its oceans.

Oceans are an important part of the Earth. Filled with millions of species of life, human actions have put this important ecosystem in danger. Why are oceans so important to humans? Why should we change our actions to help protect them? Endangered Oceans answers these questions by engaging readers with lively text, graphic features, and stunning photography. Readers will learn about the vast life within the ocean and the part they can play in protecting it.

"Discusses what oceans are, their importance to humans and to the ecosystem, how humans are harming them, and what can be done to protect them"--

Essays discuss the future of the oceans, the state of world fisheries, the impact of global warming, conservation practices, environmental policies, and protecting the whales.

Experts, policy makers, and concerned citizens present their differing viewpoints in complete articles and speeches, long book excerpts, short quotations, and cartoons. Six pieces each consider how endangered the world's oceans and coastlines are, what ocean management and conservation practices are best, what policies would best protect the world's fisheries, and how whales can best be protected. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Ten endangered animals are highlighted in each book with clear, simple text matched by stunning, full-color photographs by wildlife photographer and author Dave Taylor. Each book helps guide the reader toward a greater understanding of the dangers these magnificent animals face as their habitats are continually degraded and destroyed.Animals include:* humpback whale* Steller sea lion* brown pelican* harbor seal* sharks* California sea lion* dolphins* and more

In the tradition of "Silent Spring, Oceans' End" documents the massive worldwide destruction of the Earth's oceans and covers all the aspects of this complex subject. Maps.