"[Here], Peter Neill ... provides us with a definition for the ocean not commonly considered - that the ocean extends from the mountaintop to sea floor and is the great filter through which all water cycles and circulates and all Nature requires to survive ... The ocean cycles our fresh water, holds our greatest food reserves, provides energy, acts as a major sink and offers life for a vast array of known and unknown creatures, plus potential for new cures in human and ecosystem diseases ..."--Back cover.

Foreword / Paul A. Mayewski -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Where to begin (From the horizon) -- 3. Why the ocean matters (Who we are ; Climate ; Fresh water ; A global hydraulic system ; Food ; Health ; Security ; Energy ; Economy ; Renewal) -- 4. Why we need a new way of thinking (In pursuit of change) -- 5. Towards solutions *(The right of passage ; Value shifts and new premises ; An ocean ethos ; Hydraulic society ; Exemplary beginnings ; Some of us are dreamers) 6. A new hydraulic society (Getting there ; Nature's trust ; What next? ; Waterworks) -- 7. The once and future ocean (The new paradigm)