Research Log #2 - Solutionary Project 2022

Date: Feb. 11, 2023

Name: Koelenamati (Koe) Kapua
Essential Question: How is waste pollution being addressed on Oahu and what more can be done?

Three Points to Prove:

#1: Waste pollution creates negative consequences/what are these consequences?
#2: Waste pollution affects every part of life/who or what is being affected by waste pollution?
#3: Waste pollution isn’t talked about enough in society/how can it be addressed more?

Point that this Source Proves: #2: Waste pollution affects every part of life/who or what is being affected by
waste pollution?

Excerpts (These should provide insight into the Point to Prove)

According to the article, Hayward states “Ocean pollution is widespread and getting worse, and when toxins
in the oceans make landfall, they imperil the health and well-being of more than 3 billion people.”

Professor Philip Landrigan, M.D., the director of the observatory and of BC’s Global Public Health and the
Common Good Program, states “Simply put: Ocean pollution is a major global problem, it is growing, and it
directly affects human health.”

Ed Hayward reports that "the oceans cover more than 70 percent of the earth’s surface. Despite their vast
size, the seas are under threat, primarily as a result of human activity.”

Analysis (How does this source support the Point to Prove?):

This article, written by senior associate director of Boston College Ed Hayward, explains in good
detail about waste pollution, specifically with the ocean, and who’s directly affected. The author gains
information from Professor Philip Landrigan about how the oceans are being polluted by a mix of toxins
including mercury, pesticides, industrial chemicals, petroleum wastes, agricultural runoff, and manufactured
chemicals from plastic. Notably, the people who are most affected by this type of pollution are people in
coastal fishing communities, people in small island nations, indigenous populations, and people in the high
Arctic. The survivability of these various populations well depends on how healthy the oceans are.
Oceans are the most vulnerable to waste pollution, and in turn affect all ecosystems and animals,
including humans. According to Ed Hayward, oil spills and chemical wastes threaten and destroy the
microorganisms in seas which provide the world’s oxygen supply. Not only that, but pollution along various
coasts has also strongly increased the frequency of harmful algae blooms (HABs) which produce toxins that
are associated with dementia, amnesia, neurological damage, and death. The most notable oceans that are
being affected by waste pollution are the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Asian rivers. To reduce
waste production, banning coal combustion and plastic production, controlling coastal pollution, and
expanding marine protected areas are a must.
Plastic waste, a big contributor to waste pollution, is seen entering oceans at a large rate, 10 million
tons each year, killing seabirds and fish due to toxic microscopic particles, now found in all humans as a
result of food consumption. To reduce or even prevent waste pollution, it can be prevented through things
such as laws, policies, technology, and enforcement that target the biggest pollution sources. With the aid of
these techniques, numerous nations have successfully cleaned up polluted harbors, revitalized estuaries, and
repaired coral reefs. Tourism has expanded, fisheries have recovered, human health has improved, and the
economy has grown as a result.

Work Cited (correct MLA format):

Hayward, Ed. “Ocean Pollution Poses Risk to Human Health, Report Shows.” Www.bc.edu, Dec. 2020,
www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/science-tech-and-health/earth-environment-and-
sustainability/landrigan-ocean-report.html.

This is a reputable and reliable article because it was written by Ed Hayward, senior associate director, news &
media relations for Boston College.