As usual, we have an otherwise commendable ecological research effort falling just short of potent policy implications by relegating the causes of environmental degradation to the phrase human activities. Where in the policy arena will anyone find a table where policy makers are dealing in "human activities?" Studies such as this would be much more productive, policy-wise, if only they used more policy-relevant framing.
Lets consider the causes of oceanic degradation that Halpern et al. used to produce their map: several categories of fishing, several categories of pollution, invasive species, ocean acidification, benthic structures, population pressure, commercial activity, and two categories of climate change. How might we characterize these categories in policy-relevant terms? As a prior president could have said, "Its the economy, friends." Now that would indeed be policy-relevant, because in the policy arena there is no shortage of tables fiscal and monetary policy tables - with a big sign hanging overhead, "economic growth." Are these causes of oceanic degradation really economic activities? Lets take them one by one: Fishing is part of the agricultural/extractive trophic level at the base of the human economy. Pollution is the byproduct of the economic production process made inevitable by the second law of thermodynamics. The spread of invasive species is a function of international trade and interstate commerce. Ocean acidification and climate change are each a function of fossil fuel combustion in a global economy that is approximately 90% fossil-fueled. "Benthic structures" are commercial infrastructure, most notably oil rigs. "Population pressure" in policy-relevant terms means an increasing consumer base and labor force. Its hard to get any more economically relevant than with the phrase "commercial activity." The causes are practically a Whos Who of the global economy, but it wont get pointed out unless someone does so. Halpern et al. did a good job of documenting causes, but hopefully the Halperns et al. of the future will put their resultsin more policy-relevant terms by noting the connection of environmental pressures to the policy goal of economic growth. Meanwhile and just as hopefully, and in supplementary fashion, scientifically based professional societies such as the ESA will help to channel such research by taking positions on economic growth, such as the one now proposed by 60 (last count) ESA members. Cheers, Brian Czech, Ph.D., President Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy SIGN THE POSITION on economic growth at: http://www.steadystate.org/CASSEPositionOnEG.html . -- "J. Michael Nolan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: An interesting article and map on the state of the world's oceans from NPR. Thank you. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19085884&sc=emaf Mike Nolan ---------- If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number, best time to return your call and/or your e-mail address. After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request. Sincerely, J. Michael Nolan, Director Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit ************************************************************************************************** âOutstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecologyâ âSpanish/Cultural Immersion Programs: Spain, Mexico, Central and South Americaâ Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit P.O. Box 141543 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49514-1543 USA Local/International Phone: 001.616.604.0546 Toll Free U.S. and Canada: 1.877.255.3721 Skype/MS IM: travelwithrandr AOL IM: buddythemacaw E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] and [EMAIL PROTECTED] *Note: Please send inquiries to both e-mail addresses Web: http://rainforestandreef.org **************************************************************************************************
