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 captain and the crew of the Jessica were jailed. People in charge said that the Galapagos is out of danger for now. But the thing is, the damage has already been done. Some species may be out of danger but some have actually already died because of the oil spill.

          Millions of marine and terrestrial plant and animals have already been poisoned by the oil spill and that can�t be disregarded. The Galapagos may be out of danger for now but as mentioned in the article, there are long-term and short-term effects of oil spill. Fuel has volatile compounds in them and when they react, the effect could be severe. I think when they said for now, they meant that we should no longer worry and continue on with our daily activities. That is so typical of humans. They ignore a problem which they believe has already been solved. They shouldn�t wait for another oil spill, something bigger, to happen before they really start acting. 

          The Galapagos has been considered a tourist spot. This may be good if seeing the animals and other species found in this island makes the tourists appreciate the life forms in our planet and see them as part of the environment that needs to be preserved and saved from extinction. But what really happened was the opposite. Ever since the island became a tourist attraction, the natural balance of the island has been disrupted. According to National Geographic, �tourism is a curse in disguise and it has introduced non-native species to Galapagos�. In a way this whole situation has become a form of Capitalism -- people getting pleasure out of the expense of others and the environment. The creatures in the island have to pay for the entertainment of those people who claim to go there for �educational� purposes. If their intention is really that of learning more, then why didn�t they just read books or other resources such as your work,
On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection? They will not only save time and money, they will also save the Galapagos Island and the species found in it. 

          The oil spill, the tourism, these are the two factors that have imposed threat to the diverse species of the Galapagos Island and the aquatic ecosystem surrounding it. Both are not natural factors but rather the workings of humans. If people had not intervened, if they had only been careful and attentive, the Galapagos wouldn�t have been in such a threat. But I correct myself. Not they, WE, for unless I really do something, unless I really act on these issues I so passionately write about now, I�m still part of the causes of the problems causing harm to the environment as a whole and not just the Galapagos.

          This next news is about the singing bird. A greenish warbler lives in the foothills of the Himalayas. According to the news report, researchers have noticed that its song gradually changes throughout its territory. The greenish warblers living in the Himalayas sing songs that are simple, and repetitive. Along the western side of Tibet, the songs become longer and more complex. The �Tibetan� birds weren�t able to recognize the songs of the �Himalayan� birds, when played to them, so scientists think it�s unlikely that the two birds will breed with each other. This could mean the divergence of the species, an evidence of evolution that many believe you may have wanted to see. 

          I don�t think a lot of people got to read or hear about this news. That�s just unfortunate. I honestly got excited while reading the news report, it was the first I�ve heard of in a long time. I think news like this one should be known to a lot of people because they say something about evolution, a process that all creatures/species in this planet have been, and will continue, experiencing. Evolution starts simple, but gradually the process broadens and new species, whether with totally different characteristics or akin characteristics from the origin, are created. This news on the songbird also tells us how nature works. That it works the best on its own, without the interference of humans. Humans have just been so impatient these times. They use their knowledge to clone things, invent things, saying things and making up excuses that it�s actually for the benefit of everybody. But I still think that the natural way is the best way. Nature knows best, WE DON�T. We don�t know what could be next. Maybe in a couple of
years there would be diverse species of humans. 

          That's the news I wanted to share with you, Mr. Darwin. One was bad, the other good. Be happy you�re not here to personally read about the first one, but be sad you�re not here to personally read about the second one. 

          The earth is a wonderful place, Mr. Darwin. You knew that, I know that. Let�s just hope the others do too. Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely yours,
Pauline C. Mortel


Data Sources:
Oil Threatens �Extraordinary Ecosystem� in Galapagos,  National Geographic, 23 January 2001
Galapagos �Out of Danger�-For Now,  National Geographic , 26 January 2001 and
Songbird shows how evolution works, British Broadcasting Corporation, 18 January 2001

Back to Reflections Index                                                                       Next Reflection 
            Home