Reflection

Reflection

When I first read about this contest, I automatically knew I wanted to somehow include footage from the Alaska Sealife Center. I have visited there every year, and it is a place that has really fostered my love of marine life. Since the Sealife Center is in Seward, Alaska, I decided to look up pollution issues in that area. The first article that came up online was about coal pollution in Resurrection Bay. I was fascinated by the issue, because each summer when I camped in Seward, our camper always looked out at the coal conveyer belt. I couldn't believe that all these years, I had never known the danger it posed to marine life. I also thought that the story of coal pollution in Seward fit well with this year’s theme of ocean optimism because even though coal pollution is an ongoing problem, Alaskans have taken action and made serious steps towards solving the problem. Also, I was very excited to incorporate coal pollution, because before doing the research for the project, I really only thought that coal could pollute the air. I’d never thought of the consequences it had to the ocean, and I'm hoping that by watching my video, others are now also more aware of its dangers to marine ecosystems.