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Health of the Oceans (June 6, 2003, Two)

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Program Summary

Did you take Ira’s quiz at the beginning of this hour of “Science Friday”? Then you know that expert opinion about the status of Earth’s oceans varies from unknown to just fine to seriously in trouble. Which is it? That’s the question he and his guests try to unravel. While all agree that the health of our oceans is of paramount importance and that all stakeholders need to be involved in devising any protective measures, just what those measures aught to be and just how bad the problems are remain elusive.

With the release of the Pew Oceans Commission report “America’s Living Oceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change,” come reactions both laudatory and defensive. Ira’s guests provided a fair sampling of both. Underlying the controversy is the important question: What can we do to protect our oceans, regardless of what “state” we may think they’re in? While the experts debate and special interests promote, the answer may well come from the students in your classroom. If our children learn a respect for the oceans and the life they support, then the problems—and the controversy—may subside. Prevention—of pollution, overfishing, and habitat degradation—may well be the best medicine for the oceans.

Guests

John P. Connelly, president of the National Fisheries Institute in Arlington, Virginia

Charles Kennel, director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California-San Diego, and member of the Pew Oceans Commission, La Jolla, California

Michael Sissenwine, director of science programs for the National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland

Vice Admiral Paul G. Gaffney II, commissioner, U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy; senior uniformed oceanography specialist for the U.S. Navy; and president of the National Defense University in Washington, DC

Related Links and Resources

Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Oceans, Coasts, and Estuaries
“The Mercury News,” June 5, 2003: “A Blueprint for Rescuing Oceans”
National Fisheries Institute
National Marine Fisheries Service
Pew Oceans Commission
United Nations Atlas of the Oceans
U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

For Discussion:

• Why are there differing opinions about the health of the oceans? Do different groups, such as environmentalists, the fishing industry, and government agencies have different interests in oceans? How might these interests be reflected in studies the different groups might conduct?
• Can’t we rely on facts to tell us about the oceans’ health? What are the facts? Do different groups agree about them? Can facts and statistics be manipulated to show different results?
• What are important issues regarding the health of the oceans?
• Why is the health of oceans important?
• If there is little agreement about the oceans’ health, how can you decide what to do?

Activities

Oceans 101. To understand how the health of the oceans affects us, it’s important to know about the impact oceans have on Earth’s weather and climate, and how terrestrial and sea life are connected. KIDSNET’s SeaWeb site is a good place to start. It has background information and activities covering the importance of oceans to life on Earth, amazing ocean creatures, and problems threatening the seas and how to help. Secrets of the Ocean Realm is a site based on the PBS series of the same name. It offers 10 activities for middle schoolers that focus on different marine ecosystems. Understanding Oceans is a DiscoverySchool activity that highlights oceans’ role in Earth’s weather and climate. The Smithsonian’s Ocean Planet is a Web companion to the traveling exhibition. The site offers a virtual tour of the exhibit itself, featuring “rooms” on ocean science, oceans in peril, and resources. At Educational Materials Associated with Ocean Planet, you can find a plethora of choices.

Wastershed awareness. One of the most important things for students to learn about oceans is that everyone—even those living hundreds of miles away from shore—has an impact on ocean health. That’s where watersheds come in. Watersheds are the areas surrounding rivers, lakes, streams, and the ocean. They are the places through which rain water runs on its way to streams or lakes that feed rivers that empty into the sea. What people dump in the water or put on the ground eventually can end up in the ocean. To learn about watersheds and ways to keep them clean, visit EPA’s Adopt a Watershed site. Once there, use the Locate Your Watershed map to pinpoint yours. The Watershed Patch Program rewards students who complete several activities (available in PDF from the site) with certificates. Fifteen Things You Can Do To Make a Difference in Your Watershed is a great way to get students active in their community to protect local waterways and the ocean. Finally, EPA’s Educational Resources page provides even more ways to learn about watersheds.

Use the search box below to perform a Google search within any of the specifc sites or general domains mentioned in this Activities section.

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