Introduction to Environmental Science

ES 10 - Introduction to Environmental Science 

                 (Student Reflection Papers)

1. A reflection on ecology - This paper is based on three articles. One on speciation  (the emergence of new species) and two on the Galapagos Island oil spill . The student, Pauline C. Mortel (AB PoS, ES10-G, 2nd Sem 2000-2001) gives us a refreshing perspective on how today's youth view the world.

March 22, 2001

Dear Mr. Charles Darwin:

          First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your marvelous work involving the theories of natural selection and evolution. In our Biology and Environmental Science class we came across your theories and they’ve proven to be very helpful in further understanding how life on earth is. The main reason I wrote to you is because there are two major news that I would like to share with you in this letter that I think are somehow connected to you. The first is about an oil spill that affected the Galapagos Islands, the unique and beautiful place that gained its popularity after you visited it and after you published On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, wherein you mentioned the exceptional diversity of the island. The other is the news on the greenish warbler, believed to be the evidence you never lived to see or experience. I hope you will take the time out to read my letter and bear with the included personal reflection.

          On January 2001 an incident happened that put a threat on the Galapagos Islands. It was an oil spill caused by Ecuadorian tanker, Jessica. 160, 000 gallons of fuel oil was spilled into the sea, harming the marine animals. Naturally part (or a great amount) of this oil spill was washed away to the island, thus also causing harm to the creatures that exist in that area. Ocean currents and winds were believed to be sources of help for pushing a fuel slick away from the island, provided there wasn’t a shift in the weather that could have reversed the slick’s direction. The...