Global Ethics Corner: Oceans, Garbage, and Food

Sep 25, 2009

Can we regulate international space like the oceans? Pollution and illegal or unregulated fishing plague international waters. How can the problem be managed to maintain the health and beauty of our seas?

Can we regulate international space like the oceans?

Captain Charles Moore of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation is exploring the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an immense swirl of currents that accumulates floating garbage from Asia and the Americas.

Garbage is a hallmark of human civilization, and much of what we know about ancient cultures comes from their trash. What record will we leave?

Plastic. We live a limited time yet casually build and discard materials that persist for millennia. The captain speculates that future geologists may detect a unique sedimentary layer—call it the Plastocene.

What effect does this have on our food supply? Fish are a vital component, but many are under environmental and predatory pressure. Wild species are being polluted and fished to extinction.

Despite growing success with sustainable fisheries management, illegal and unregulated fishing plagues international waters.

In the developing world subsistence fishing communities are hard hit when large factory ships park offshore and scour the region.

Will the consumer choose sustainably labeled fish? Do we need stronger international laws to ensure fisheries' security? How should we maintain the health and beauty of our seas?

What do you think?

By Evan O'Neil

You may also like

DEC 3, 2024 Article

Child Poverty and Equality of Opportunity for Children in the United States

This final project from the first CEF cohort discusses the effects of child poverty in the United States and ethical solutions to help alleviate this ...

DEC 2, 2024 Article

Global Ethics Day 2024 Reaches New Heights with Participation Across 70 Countries

On October 16, 2024, hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals across nearly 70 countries celebrated the 11th annual Global Ethics Day.

NOV 21, 2024 Article

A New International Order Is Emerging, We Must Bring Our Principles With Us

On the heels of a new international order, Carnegie Council will continue to champion the vision of peace and cooperation that remains our mission.

Not translated

This content has not yet been translated into your language. You can request a translation by clicking the button below.

Request Translation