The Institution:

Environment
The Marine Ecosystem

Project #2 Powerpoint by: Tiffany Truong

Discuss the history of your institution. How did
it emerge? How did it come into existence?
The environment has been here ever since the Earth was created 4.5 billion years ago. It
is the oldest institution we know and was created hand in hand with our planet. When
specifically speaking of our marine ecosystem--the ocean--we can also see that it has been
here long before us humans came to be about.

The ocean “covers most of the globe and plays a crucial role in regulating our climate
and atmosphere. Without water, life itself would be impossible” (Scott, 2020). Our marine
ecosystem plays a huge role and isn’t given enough attention when brought as a subject to a
conversation. The existence of our ocean feeds not only the organisms in it, but also humans
and the Earth since it “covers 72% of the earth’s surface” (Scott, 2020).
Who are the major participants in the
institution? What are their roles and statuses?
The major participants in this institution would be the organisms living in the ocean’s
ecosystem as well as us humans. From the tiny krill that live throughout the ocean to the
monstrous yet majestic whales that swim by the ocean top, the biodiversity in our marine
ecosystem is huge. Their roles of the institution would to be to maintain stability in our oceans
as they each play a role. For example, seaweed produces oxygen and a huge chunk of the air
we breathe comes from the marine ecosystems. The cycle of life also occurs in the ocean as
species compete and fight for survival. The organisms have no general status in terms of
“employer” or “student.”

The other main participant in this institution would be us humans. Our role is to survive
and keep the ocean well from exploitation. It is our job to keep the oceans safe and healthy
because it “supports our cultural and social well-being, and the ocean’s resources contribute
to our economy” (Why the condition of our marine environment is important, n.d.). We live on
the continents surrounded by the ocean and also use it as a food source along with travel. The
status we have as humans to our marine ecosystem is neighbor and also caretaker. Since the
ocean is dear to us humans, we should treat and take care of it as it has done so to us.
How do members of society perceive your
institution?
The members of society perceive the institution of the environment, specifically the
marine ecosystem, as a gateway to money and a good economy. According to the article, “Why
the condition of our marine environment is important,” it states that “oil and gas are significant
contributors to our economy” and how “the marine environment also supports our tourism
industry” (Why the condition of our marine environment is important, n.d.). These quotes
show how the marine ecosystem is mainly seen as a money-bringer. Especially in today’s
capitalistic society, money is always a thought when thinking of something. In this case, people
are seeing and using the oceans in ways to gain profit such as the oil and gas underground or
tourist sites for people to go hangout, take pictures, and explore.

Though it may seem that the members of society do not have much to do with the ocean
because it is simply a body of water, it actually has a lot of benefits for us. Most people will also
see the ocean as a food source but it “provides more than just seafood; ingredients from the
sea are found in surprising foods such as peanut butter and soymilk” (Why should we care
about the ocean?, 2020). The idea that the ocean is a place for fun is also a common image
members of society think of since it provides activities such as kayaking, boating, fishing, and
swimming.
How do members of the institution perceive
itself (its own institution)?
The members of the marine ecosystem itself can also perceive its own institution. The
organisms that live in the ocean most likely do not think much outside of the ocean and
perceives it as their home and center of life. It is where they spend most of their time, get their
food, reproduce, and pass away. They live their whole lives around the ocean so I think that is
how organisms such as fish, otters, crabs and much more look at the marine ecosystem.

On the other hand, we have humans or also members of society. Though we do not live
in the ocean, our presence has much to do with the ocean. The last slide brought up how
members of society--humans--perceived the ocean, but that can also be applied under this
question since humans are also part of the institution. We not only see the ocean as fun, food,
and economy, but also travel and a source of life. Travel by ocean is common, especially since
“seventy-six percent of all U.S. trade involves some form of marine transportation” (Why
should we care about the ocean?, 2020).

The ocean is very important as humans perceive it as a hub for many things and use
these advantages in ways of living.
How has the institution changed over time?
The ocean undoubtedly changed over time and more likely in a bad manner. As humans
progressed in ways of technological terms, our impacts have struck the ocean to the point
where it hurts the other participants of the institution: the organisms.

With nitrate-concentrated fertilizer seeping into our rivers and eventually to our
oceans, “high levels of nitrate pose a danger to livestock, humans, and other mammals” (The
Damaging Effects of Fertilizers on Marine Ecosystems OCEAN RELATED NEWS, n.d.). This
means that the human activities pose threat to organisms through water and food. Another
issue, plastic pollution, has “impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea
turtle species, 44% of all seabird species and 43% of all marine mammal species” (The Problem
of Marine Plastic Pollution, n.d.). Another example is in the article, “Chemical pollution of the
ocean : the pesticide issue,” and states that “Pesticide use started in the 1930s and has grown
in popularity and application ever since.” In the past, there wasn’t much nitrate, pesticide
poisoning or plastic pollution but that has changed in the environment since humans began to
use more fertilizer and plastic usage. Plastic pollution could also be avoidable if we were to
have better management of waste and also a better moral of keeping our environments clean.
What has caused various institutions to
change?
The general reason for change in institutions would be change in human activity
and technology. For example, the ocean has changed because of technological advances
in ways such as finding ways to fish more with bigger nets and oil rigs in our deep
oceans. The human activity has also impacted the ocean in terms of fertilizing and
plastic.

Though institutions such as family households or educational schools don’t have

these same specific reasons for change as the ocean, it is the common reason that
human activity and technology changed it. For family households, it could be that
human activity in terms of higher divorce rates and household beliefs that continually
change and differentiate the institution. For education, it could be the technology such
as more online readings and testings that have changed how schools run and test.
Discuss any stable features of the institution,
that is, features that have not changed.
When we look at the marine ecosystem, we could see some stable features of
the institution. For one, it has been and still is a home to a variety of species as well as
a huge benefit for humans. This can be seen in the article, “Why the condition of our
marine environment is important” when it is quoted that “nearly one-quarter of the
world’s seabird species breed in New Zealand.” This just goes to show how oceans are
necessary for life and can be seen in almost a quarter of seabirds breed in New
Zealand’s oceans. Life has been thriving from the marine ecosystem and environment
and still is today.
As a way to better accommodate members of
society, how would you improve your institution?
To better accommodate members of society, improving the institution of environment,
more specifically the marine ecosystem, would be to better the marine ecosystem health. For
the members of society to gain more benefits from the ocean, we must improve the ecosystem
as a whole in order to gain better products. This could be in terms of reducing plastic waste,
reducing fertilizer usage, not overfishing or keeping better oil/waste management so it
doesn’t get into the ocean.

The key to improving the marine ecosystem would be preventing pollution. This all
starts with the members of society and how they must contribute in order for them to gain a
better fit with the ocean. Since “over 90% of plastics are not recycled” (Preventing Plastic
Pollution, n.d.), we must take plastic and decrease its usage as a whole. Halting production of
plastic or buying of plastic-wrapped items will further decrease plastic pollution. The
members of society need a healthier ocean so it can receive food healthier and also more fun
in a less polluted ocean.; however, for that to occur, we need the same members of society to
contribute to helping the institution of the marine ecosystem as well as the environment as a
whole.
Does your institution work better for some
members of society (as opposed to others)?
It can be seen that the marine ecosystem works better for some members of society as
opposed to others. This could be in ways of where members of society live and are located.
Those in areas where they don’t live by the coast may not be receiving as fresh seafood or
enjoyment of the ocean compared to those who live near the coast. The members of society
who live away from the ocean also do not get much of a chance to use the ocean as an
economic source or way for income.

With different options given to people depending on their location, it makes sense that
the institution of the marine ecosystem may be a better opportunity for others. If you were to
compare someone who lives in Idaho and someone who lives in Oregon, we can see that the
Oregon citizen would have a better chance of facing opportunities provided by the ocean such
as oceanic jobs, ability to go to the ocean, and fresh seafood. The Idaho citizen does not have
easy access to those three options like the Oregon citizen does.
Looking at the Environment in the
Functionalist Perspective
The functionalist perspective is the perspective where one believes that
everything in that society has a role to keep stability. If we were to look at the marine
ecosystem in a functionalist perspective, we could see that everything including
organisms, the way of life, and humans are all important. This means that they keep
stasis in the marine ecosystem. The organisms provide oxygen and food to humans while
humans try to keep the oceans well. The way of life also sits on the stabilization of the
environment as it maintains life and death. However, any change to this stable scenario
would cause one viewing in the functionalist perspective to irk. The functionalist
perspective does not view change as a good thing and takes it as a sign of
dysfunctionality despite if it has good meaning. An example of a change that would cause
a functionalist to label the environment institution as dysfunctional would be the change
of pollution. This causes so-called havoc into the institution as the usual way of life is
thrown off because of organisms that are dying at a faster rate than its normality.
Looking at the Environment in the Conflict
Perspective
The conflict perspective believes that any conflicts are good and that competition
is what makes change occur. The environmental institution--specifically the marine
ecosystem--within this perspective would be a fighting ground. They would see
organisms in a constant fight food and power in the marine ecosystem. The marine food
chain can also produce this as we see the competition of prey and predator in this
environment. It is also this same exact constant battling that causes change. For
example, it is possible a fish who is constantly being outcompeted will adapt to a new
food source which could benefit the environment. Conflicts spark and produce the
activation energy for change hence the name itself. In light of pollution, the conflict
perspective would believe that the battle of humans and pollution is good because it will
cause change of decreasing pollution.
 Work Cited:
Chemical pollution of the ocean : the pesticide issue. (2020, February 21). Surfrider. Retrieved October 3, 2020, from

[Link]

The Damaging Effects of Fertilizers on Marine Ecosystems OCEAN RELATED NEWS. (n.d.). Aquaviews. Retrieved October 4, 2020,

from [Link]

Preventing Plastic Pollution. (n.d.). Greenpeace. Retrieved October 4, 2020, from

[Link]

The Problem of Marine Plastic Pollution. (n.d.). Clean Water Action. Retrieved October 3, 2020, from

[Link]

Scott, D. (2020, July 10). History of the Ocean. MARINEBIO. Retrieved October 3, 2020, from [Link]

Why should we care about the ocean? (2020, April 9). National Ocean Service. Retrieved October 4, 2020, from

[Link]

Why the condition of our marine environment is important. (n.d.). Ministry for the Environment. Retrieved October 3, 2020, from

[Link]

marine