Being from Hawaii, the ocean has always played an important role in my life. The problems mentioned in this article, really hit home and have helped me to better understand the seriousness of their effects on the world. Since the ocean covers so much of the Earth, it is easy to think of it as an endless supply of resources (Swing 140). However, with our growing technology and constant dependance on the ocean, it seems we have forgotten about the delicate balance of the ocean’s ecosystem. I think that as humans we have the responsibility to be aware of these situations and also to make efforts to prevent, and maybe even reverse, the damage we have caused. I wonder if it’s the vastness of the ocean which overshadows its problems, or if we are simply choosing to ignore them.
With the world’s continuing growth in population, we are always in constant need o
This article would be very useful if researching the major threats to the ocean, and to the Earth as a whole. It would also be informative if discovering the adverse effects of the growing human population. In relation to the ocean, Swing’s article is able to give information in the areas where attention is needed. Policy makers concerned with the marine environment can pinpoint the areas where more regulation is needed from this article.
However, Swing seems to concentrate on what we have done to the ocean and not enough time on the steps we have made towards restoring and conserving it. He mentions the steps taken during UN Conferences and Conventions, and how they have not made any significant changes or improvements concerning over-fishing, pollution, oil drilling and oil spills. As an example, Swing notes that the 1982 UN Convention created fixed boundaries and obligate