Analysis of Articles about Oceanography - Assignment Example

Section/# Article Summaries: Oceanography Article Where do we come from” The first article which has been analyzed is that of Massimo Pigliucci’s article published in the skeptical enquirer. The article seeks to represent the many different theories with regards to the origin and mechanisms that early life on planet Earth evolved. As a function of this, the article takes a broad based approach to the information and seeks to lay out a well reasoned and effectively engaging piece that does not dismiss any of the alternatives out of hand. Although the reader might at first be convinced to view the situation from a purely bilateral view that is predicated on viewing the world as either divinely created or came to be through the process of evolution. As a means to combat such a primitive and undifferentiated view of the subject matter, the author seeks to display to the reader the ultimately complexity that exists within the field of evolutionary biology as a function of seeking to explain life and how it originated on planet Earth (Pigliucci 3). Eventually however, the topic and discussion of intelligent design (ID) is raised with the author noting that although a belief or level of faith in the supernatural is fundamentally opposed to scientific knowledge and understanding, the fact of the matter is that there still exists a small possibility that ID can explain the origin of life on planet earth; if for no other reason than science is unable to prove the negative with regards to such an argument. Such an explanation of this topic was ultimately handled in a way in which this reader found to be useful while at the same time non-inflammatory. In conclusion, the article itself makes the admission that there are a host of theories with regards to the origin of life; some more convincing than the other. However, rather than this being a net drawback and/or weakness of science, this merely represents the remaining work that is to be accomplished in measuring, observing, and proving the validity or inaccuracy of the models which have been raised. Article 2: “Early Americans Helped to Colonize Easter Island” Likewise, the second article that this brief analysis will discuss and summarize is that of Michael Marshall’s “Early Americans Helped Colonize Easter Island”. Such an article is especially interesting due to the fact that it deviates substantially from previously held scientific/anthropologic/linguistic/and genetic views that Easter Island was originally colonized by Asian Polynesians. As a result of ongoing scholarship and examination of a litany of different genetic, cultural, linguistic, and biological identifiers, the article notes that it can be definitively postulated that Easter Island was profoundly influenced by South American colonization and the unique ways in which the society developed as a result of these inputs (Marshall 2). Such a result is of course important due to the fact that by understanding the differences between the ethnic composition and make-up of the inhabitants of the island, useful scientific and anthropological inference can ultimately be drawn. Similarly, be recognizing the way in which the genetic influx of South American colonists to the island had on the local population and the way in which certain genetic markers can be understood and related, the research helps to prove the ongoing manner to which migrations of individuals across vast distances can have profound and lasting influences on the way that people groups develop and exhibit change. Article 3: “How coastal erosion contributes to poverty: Time for a new federal approach” Courtney Howell and Diane Huhn’s article entitled, “How coastal erosion contributes to poverty: Time for a new federal approach” discusses the way in which environmental desiccation has significantly and profoundly impacted upon the way in which the unique Gulf of Mexico shoreline has been impacted over the past 100 years. Naturally, the reasons that the authors cite for this include a host of factors which include but are of course not limited to, the rapid growth and development of the shoreline, increasing populations, over exploitation of resources, erosion, and disasters such as the BP Oil Spill of 2011 (Howell & Huhn 1). The author’s go on to state that although the ultimate effect of these forces has yet to be realized and exhibited, the rate of destruction of habitat and the over taxation of resources will soon reach a tipping point and serve to be catastrophic to the ecosystems and environment as a whole. Similarly, the authors discuss the ways in which the reduction in shrimp prices, a staple of the fishing markets that support the economy in and around the Mississippi River delta has forced fishermen to place an even more pronounced burden on the shrimp resources and thereby threaten the sustainability of the fisheries, marshlands, and other ecosystems that ultimately provide the fragile food chain that the industry relies upon. As a way to combat this eventuality, the article lays out a list of steps that the federal government can and should immediately seek to enact as a means of protecting the fragile environment that is ultimately and inherently threatened by the issues herein discussed. Article 4: “Coastal Erosion and the threat to Kivalina, Alaska” Likewise, the final article that this analysis will consider is that of the Climate Change Report’s “Coastal Erosion and the Threat to Kivalina, Alaska”. This particular report hinges upon the way in which ocean currents, environmental change, and erosion threatens the lifestyle of an indigenous people that were originally forcibly moved to a barrier island chain by the United States government in 1953. More than merely representing the loss of habitat and the way in which the geography of the earth changes as a direct result of the oceans and currents, the article helps to paint a uniquely sociological view of how environment ultimately affects the livelihoods and existence of peoples as well as the way in which the United States government, as a function of the Army Corps of Engineers, seeks to integrate with such an issue (The Climate Change Report 1). Although the oceanographic realities of the erosion and territory loss are explained in detail, what was of especial note to this reader was the fact that the situation detailed within the analysis is not unique to the small group of island chains that are up for discussion; rather, it is indicative of many of the coastal regions around the world and the way in which ocean currents and erosion play a powerful role in the means by which native populations integrate with and respond to such a threat. Of additional note is the fact that the article references the fact that a response and remediation of the issue has of course not been handled and will likely only come once the problem reaches a critical mass that requires a large scale redistribution and/or evacuation of the population. This is of course enlightening due to the fact that it is fairly common for the requisite authorities concerned with such issues to not respond to such environmental change until the point of no-return has ultimately been reached. Works Cited Howell, Courtney, and Diane Huhn. "VOICES: How coastal erosion contributes to poverty: Time for a new federal approach." The Institute for Southern Studies |. N.p., 7 Jan. 2011. Web. 7 Feb. 2013. . Marshall, Michael. "Early Americans helped colonise Easter Island - life - 06 June 2011 - New Scientist." Science news and science jobs from New Scientist - New Scientist. N.p., 27 Apr. 2010. Web. 7 Feb. 2013. . Pigliucci, Massimo. Where do we come from?. Skeptical Enquirer, 15 Jan. 1999. Web. 7 Feb. 2013. . The Climate Change Report. "Climate Change Report Coastal Erosion and the Threat to Kivalina, Alaska : Center for a Better Life." Sustainability : Center for a Better Life. The Climate Change Report, 5 Apr. 2012. Web. 7 Feb. 2013. . Read More