Marine pollution
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Thomas Loikith
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 2:30 PM
Description
Marine pollution is the placement of harmful substances into oceans and coastal areas. The results of marine pollution are devastating. The US has enacted laws to deter marine pollution. The US is also a signatory to international agreements regarding marine pollution. Despite such laws, marine pollution remains a serious problem. Agencies that implement marine pollution laws are underfunded and understaffed. Coordination among the US and foreign countries regarding the implementation of international agreements is insufficient. As a result, marine pollution laws are not adequately enforced. What should be done to more effectively enforce domestic marine pollution laws and improve coordination among the US and other signatories to international marine pollution agreements? This is a complex problem requiring interdisciplinary research to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding. I used qualitative research methodology (textual analysis). From September 2024 through March 2025, I analyzed international agreements, statutes, and relevant articles from scholarly and non-scholarly sources from the disciplines of law and political science. From those sources, I identified conflicting disciplinary insights and integrated those insights to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. With that understanding, I am able to suggest proposed solutions to the problem. As a result of my research, I conclude that current marine pollution laws should be strengthened, supplemented, or replaced. Agencies that implement such laws must be adequately funded and staffed so the laws can be strictly enforced. There must be better coordination among the US and foreign countries to enforce relevant international agreements.
Marine pollution
Marine pollution is the placement of harmful substances into oceans and coastal areas. The results of marine pollution are devastating. The US has enacted laws to deter marine pollution. The US is also a signatory to international agreements regarding marine pollution. Despite such laws, marine pollution remains a serious problem. Agencies that implement marine pollution laws are underfunded and understaffed. Coordination among the US and foreign countries regarding the implementation of international agreements is insufficient. As a result, marine pollution laws are not adequately enforced. What should be done to more effectively enforce domestic marine pollution laws and improve coordination among the US and other signatories to international marine pollution agreements? This is a complex problem requiring interdisciplinary research to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding. I used qualitative research methodology (textual analysis). From September 2024 through March 2025, I analyzed international agreements, statutes, and relevant articles from scholarly and non-scholarly sources from the disciplines of law and political science. From those sources, I identified conflicting disciplinary insights and integrated those insights to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. With that understanding, I am able to suggest proposed solutions to the problem. As a result of my research, I conclude that current marine pollution laws should be strengthened, supplemented, or replaced. Agencies that implement such laws must be adequately funded and staffed so the laws can be strictly enforced. There must be better coordination among the US and foreign countries to enforce relevant international agreements.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.