Armageddon Science-- Response and Discussion Question

I thought this week's presentation was done very well. The Prezi was spot on, although Big Blue Button was not. It was a great class and a good way to end our time together (not the discussion topic, but how it went). Although, I guess it is funny how the last discussion of our last class of our program was about Armageddon. The ending of our Masters and our re-birth as teachers...we hope...

One of the questions asked in this discussion was how we think the world is actually going to end. I mentioned zombies and the presenters seemed a little irritated by that comment, but in fact as it later played out, that is a valid argument. It is relevant to pop culture and science because it is based off of a virus we cannot correct.

I personally do not believe that the world is going to end by virus or nuclear attack or even an alien invasion. WE are killing this planet everyday. This post relates to the discussion question on climate change. I think that we are going to kill this planet by killing its oceans. 70% of this planet is ocean, and we are destroying it. At the rate we are going the ocean's fisheries will be eliminated by something like 2040. People look at fish as if they are not a big deal just because they are fish. Fish are what keep our oceans alive. Fish are what enable the oceans to supply us with oxygen and control the climate in order to sustain life on this planet. Without fish, algae and plants take over the sea, suffocating it. Even our over zealous use of water is starting to show its effects as we speak. Just this week, the residents of Cedar Key no longer have fresh water. The wells that supply the area fresh water have filled with salt water. Our aquifers do not stand a chance at the rate we are going. Over fishing, greed, and pollution are going to be the cause of our armageddon if we don't do something to stop it.  So much pressure is put on the oceans, from fishing, to the illegal whaling and shark fin industry, to pollution. Millions of tons of plastics are dumped into our oceans every year. Plastics that do not disintegrate in the sun, and end up in fish and other species. People feel that there is nothing they can do to help prevent this type of devastation, but there is. We need to educate ourselves and educate those around us. Eat sustainable seafood, recycle, limit our fresh water usage, and try to decrease your dependency on plastics.

There are several documentaries that are very informative as to how real these issues are. Some include Sharkwater, The Cove, and End of The Line. There is countless research that has been conducted that proves the fish population is decline, the amount of fresh water is decreasing, and pollution is a continuing problem. I heard multiple people say during the discussion "well I don't see this happening in my life time, so..." This is a common belief among people so they do nothing to help reverse the destructive way of life we live. This mindset is completely selfish and shows how inconsiderate we can be. Please be smart and protect this planet for future generations. Educate yourselves, educate others, and act.