This book is based on an in-depth conversation between Howard Burton and Charles Sheppard, Professor of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick. Prof. Sheppard has worked extensively for a wide range of UN, governmental and aid agencies in tropical marine and coastal development issues. This conversation explores how Prof. Sheppard is trying to find a way through political shortsightedness, corporate greed and societal indifference to use his experience to make the planet a better place. This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, All Too Relevant, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:I. Watery Beginnings - The power of scuba divingII. Building A Reef - Coral, algae and timeIII. Gratuitously Unsustainable - The problem with humansIV. Towards Progress? - Leadership, policies and philanthropic foundationsV. Climate Change - Two pernicious effectsVI. What To Do? - The importance of marine spatial planningAbout Ideas Roadshow Conversations:This book is part of a series of 100 Ideas Roadshow Conversations. Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research featuring world-leading researchers but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research.