What do these photos all have in common? They’re all part of Earth’s complex systems, largely shaped by the ocean. The ocean absorbs carbon from the atmosphere and moves it through food webs and deep-sea currents. Phytoplankton that live at the surface produce more than half of Earth’s oxygen. As organisms live, die, and decay, nutrients are recycled through upwelling currents that feed marine ecosystems. This cycling of carbon, oxygen, and nutrients fuels life far beyond the sea. But climate change is disrupting the balance. Melting polar ice and warming oceans are altering major current systems, which help move heat around the planet. As these systems shift, so does everything else. Hurricanes grow stronger, rainfall patterns change, droughts intensify, and ocean productivity declines. Understanding these systems helps us recognize that the events we see on the news aren’t happening in isolation. Earth operates like a machine. If even one component breaks, it won’t be long befor...