This single-volume resource explores the five major oceans of the world, addressing current issues such as sea rise and climate change and explaining the significance of the oceans from historical, geographic, and cultural perspectives. * Introduces readers to the five major oceans of the world and provides ready-reference entries relating to geography, the environment, science, history, and culture * Presents Opposing Viewpoint essays by two scholars on critical issues relating to the earth's oceans that are prefaced by an introduction to the topic, such as "Will the benefits of Arctic meltdown outweigh the adverse effects?" and "How can we clean up the Pacific Garbage Patch?" * Includes sidebars of "fun facts" throughout the text that highlight interesting oceanic subtopics