Discuss the various direct and indirect environmental values associated with the natural resource you were assigned: (OCEANS)  One of the critical components of accessing the direct value of something is by determining the market price for that item. The ocean does not have any direct value as it is challenging to access the value. It is also difficult to quantify the value that gained by utilizing the ocean and its resources, whether that is the water supply for villages, fishing or even tourist activities.

Describe one policy tension between your assigned natural resource and a threat to that resource: One of the biggest threats to the ocean would be pollution. Oil rigs and cruise liners are regularly depositing oils, dirt, and debris into the ocean along with overfishing the ocean is a fleeing ecosystem. There are policies in place, and that is being worked on to ensure that the ocean and its ecosystems do not die. In July of 2004, the “Oceans 21 bill” introduced to Congress, this bill would, “establish a national policy to protect, maintain and restore healthy ocean ecosystems.” (Safina & Chasis, 2004) The new legislation would ensure that all oceans will be maintained that if there must be a reduction in the number of cruise liners or tourist or personal boats to ensure the ocean Is a viable natural resource, this could be an option. 

Evaluate the different worldviews (e.g., biocentricism, anthropocentrism) that influence the policy tension you just described and explain which worldview is most apparent in the policy tensions and why: The worldview that would influence the policy tension that has been selected would be biocentrism. This ideology stems from, “seeing the world as a web of equally valuable living parts. A “life-centered.” view that humans are but one component of an interdependent organic system.” (Dale, 2015) Understanding that the ocean is more valuable than the oil pumped out of it and that other life forms live and survive in the ocean is a relatively new concept as people learn more about how the world works. The ocean is a critical element in the ecosystem for people and animals alike. 

References

Dale, L. (2015). Environmantal policy (second ed.). Bridgepoint Education.

Safina, C., & Chasis, S. (2004). Saving the oceans. Issues in science & technology, 21(1), 37-44. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&scope=site