Throughout the semester you are responsible for answering four critical thinking questions related to topics covered in this course.  These questions are designed to make you think about the complexities of environmental issues.  You will be able to apply the knowledge you have gained from this course to form well thought out answers.  You will also be asked to provide your personal perspective on these issues. Your focus should be on supporting your answer as there is not a right or wrong answer to the question.

Each response is worth twenty points and is required to be a minimum of two pages, single-spaced typed (12 Arial font with 1-inch margins) not including name, heading, or question.  Each critical thinking question will be submitted via Canvas either saved as a .doc(x), .rtf, or .pdf. Please be aware that they are due before the beginning of class.  Also, come prepared to discuss your answers with the class.

Plastic pollution in the ocean is one of the greatest environmental threats of our time! In response, many coastal communities including some in Orange County, have started to ban certain types of single use plastics such as straws and bags. Do you think that these regulations are an effective solution to that problem?  Why or why not?  What additional steps need to be taken to keep plastic out of our Oceans?