2. Choose one of the essay prompts below for your critical thinking essay:

• One of the more serious forms of ocean pollution is that of plastics, especially

microplastics. Discuss this issue in depth, including statistics on the amount of plastic and microplastics in

the oceans, their threats, and specific examples. Then, propose a solution for this issue. Can we remove

plastics and microplastics from the ocean? What can we do to slow the addition of these to the marine

environment? What is already being done?

• Recent studies suggest oceanic global conveyor belt circulation is slowing as a result of climate

change. Discuss the evidence that supports this statement, including how climate change could be

responsible for a slowing oceanic circulation system. Discuss ocean circulation in the geologic past has such

slowing occurred previously? What is the probability that ocean conveyor belt circulation may stop

completed? Thinking to the future, what is the impact of a slowing (or stopped) global ocean circulation

system? Finally, why should we care about this issue? What is the impact to the everyday global citizen?

• Ocean noise is cited as another form of pollution, and can have devastating impacts to marine

life. Discuss the issue of noise pollution in the oceans, including its causes and effects, citing specific

examples. Is anything being done about this? Can anything be done? Propose or explore solutions to the

ocean noise issue.

• Tidal energy is another solution to dependence on fossil fuels, especially for locations with a very

large tidal range. Do you think tidal energy is a viable solution to reducing our usage of fossil

fuels? Thinking about the two types of tidal energy systems presented in your text, choose one and discuss

the advantages and disadvantages of that type of system, using specific examples. Consider location on

Earth that would be ideal for tidal energy (or that is already creating it) and discuss why it is ideal. Also

discuss the challenges to developing tidal energy for that location. Support your answer with specific

examples and data from your research.

• Overfishing is a serious concern in Earth's oceans, but solutions are available. Choose a specific

aspect of overfishing (excess fishing capacity, illegal fishing, non-target bycatch, fishery-related wildlife

killing, endangerment of non-target species, high seas fishing, etc.). Discuss the problem, its causes, its

effects, and its solutions. Highlight specific examples of failures and successes in solving that issue. End with

an answer to the question: Can we fix over-fishing before we run out of seafood products?

• More than half of the fish species consumed by humans is farmed. But, fish farming (aquaculture)

presents its own set of environmental concerns, including destruction of land, displacement of poor

populations, and the spread of disease and parasites. Discuss the current status of aquaculture in the world,

include its advantages. Highlight one prominent seafood product that is produced via aquaculture. Then,

describe one or two serious concerns with aquaculture and finally, discuss possible solutions to those

concerns.

• Did you know that Indiana was once a marine environment? Research the geologic history of Indiana,

and describe the Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian time periods. In your discussion, talk about where

Indiana was geographically, what our climate and environment was like, and what life lived here. Be sure to

use specific examples to support your response. End with a discussion of how we know about past life and