I live in the mountains, far from the sea.
But something strange is happening.
The oceans are changing.
The air is getting warmer.
And now, even here in West Virginia, we can feel it.
This is a story about the ocean, climate change, and how we're all connected.

The ocean is like Earth’s blanket.

It covers most of our planet.

It keeps the Earth cool by soaking up heat.

But now the ocean is too warm.And that’s changing everything.

The moon pulls on the ocean, making tides.

These tides move in and out like breathing.

We can also use tides to make clean energy.

But sea levels are rising.And the tides are changing too.

Sometimes, the Earth shakes under the water.
That can cause big waves called tsunamis.
Climate change melts ice, which may cause underwater landslides.
These can make the ocean even more dangerous.

In some places, the ocean turns red.

Tiny plants grow too fast in the warm water.

They make a red tide that is poisonous to fish.

These red tides are happening more and more.

Coral has a best friend—tiny algae that live inside it.
But when the water gets too hot, the algae leave.
Without their friends, coral turns white.
That’s called bleaching.
And it’s very sad.

Animals need oxygen to live, even in the sea.
But warm water holds less air.
When too much pollution goes into the ocean, it creates dead zones.
In those places, fish can’t breathe.

The coast is where the ocean meets the land.
It’s home to birds, fish, crabs, and plants.
But the water is rising.
Storms are stronger.
Coastal homes are washing away.

In the middle of the ocean, trash spins in giant circles.

Most of it is plastic.

The wind and water carry garbage from far away.

Animals think it’s food and get sick.

And it’s getting worse.

The ocean breathes in carbon from the air.
But too much carbon makes the ocean sour.
This is called acidification.
It melts seashells and hurts tiny creatures.