University of Washington Tacoma
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Access*: Interdisciplinary Journal of Student Research and Scholarship

Author Biography

Recent University of Washington Tacoma graduate, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sustainability with an emphasis in Law & Policy. I was born in Racine, WI and raised in Washington State, more particularly the Seattle/Tacoma area and a proud sustainability advocate and believer of deep ecology.

Document Type

Undergraduate Research Paper

Abstract

This paper examines how exponential human population growth, and the induced intensification required to sustain exponential growth contributes to and accelerates the process of ocean acidification, a critical yet overlooked consequence of anthropogenic activities. Utilizing the theoretical lens of induced intensification from Robbins et al.'s Environment and Society, alongside peer-reviewed research, this paper connects global food waste and unconscious consumption to the continuing issue of increased greenhouse gas emissions and ever declining marine biodiversity. Case studies, including Japan’s food imports and waste patterns and the ecological vulnerabilities of marine species like the pteropod and Pacific cod underscore how unsustainable consumption habits lead to significant environmental and economic costs. While innovations like Golden Rice addressed nutritional deficits, they often do so at the expense of ecosystem services and biodiversity. Ultimately, we are shown an irony in current human-environment interactions as to meet the demand of ever exponentially growing populations, we simultaneously degrade the very ecosystems that sustain said life. To mitigate this issue of accelerated ocean acidification and dwindling biodiversity, it is critical we as a collective practice more conscious and sustainable approaches to consumption and food systems.

University

University of Washington Tacoma

Course

TEST 200: Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability

Instructor

Tomas Koontz

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