Our main source of ocean heat is sunlight. Mostly clouds, water vapor, and greenhouse gases emit heat that they have absorbed. Waves, tides, and currents constantly mix the ocean, moving heat from warmer to cooler latitudes and to deeper levels. The ocean covers about 70% of Earth’s surface. As Earth warms, water in the ocean soaks up energy and distributes it more evenly, It also absorbs carbon dioxide from the Earth’s atmosphere. The additional heat and carbon dioxide in the ocean can change the environment for the many plants and animals that live there. : :