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 of food and money, both of which the ocean provides. Through technology, pollution, and the need for other prospects, the ocean has "begun to undergo an accelerated transformation that has caught most people, even in this scientific age, unaware and unprepared" (Swing 139). There have been many advancements in the way we harvest goods from the sea, but not enough in the way we protect it from destruction. If we continue at this rate of consumption, the results "could adversely affect all human and animal life on the planet" (Swing 139). .
Swing uses factual evidence to support his statements throughout the article. He also gives information about the past to accurately show the reader the vast changes the ocean has undergone in such a short amount of time. This technique also displays how our demanding and ever-growing population adversely effects the ocean and the survival of certain species of fish. Swing is able to put these problems into perspective, so readers can better understand his concerns. .
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.
