Thanks Ocean

Hello All,
So in my microecon class today we talked about positive and negative externalities. Negative externalities are easy- take any kind of big, polluting operation (power plants, factory farms, etc...) and the price the consumer pays to use these resources. While the consumer "pays" for, say energy or something, they are actually not paying for all of the external costs of that resource such as air and water contamination or elevated cancer rates amongst people who live close to power plants. Things like that. When we send in our energy bill every month, we are only paying for a fraction of the "real" cost of that energy.
Positive externalities are, well, more positive. The example in my book was that of a bee farm and apple orchard situated in or near the same land. The bees are happy because they have tasty apple trees to gather polin from, and the apple trees are happy because their polin is being spread- just how they were supposed to be. On my bike ride home from class (along the coast) I was trying to think of my Own example of a positive externality. I thought of one that works, but only if it is not over-exploited...
Many people who practice the Hindu religion do not eat cows, as they are seen as "beings of un-selfish giving". And this makes sence, because why would you kill something who´s excrement serves as fertilizer to grow your fields? This example stuck out to me as one of a positive externality because the cows give fertilizer, you get healthier grass. duh. BUT WAIT. A Negative externality is painfully and ironicly obvious as well- the waste from Factory Farms (or, CAFO´s Confined Animal Feeding Operations). This waste serves as a HUGE negative impact on the environment due to the extreemly high nitrogen content in the excrement of the thousands of animals being overfed and under-nurished. Hello dead-zone in the Gulf of Mexico! Not to mention all of those icky antibiotics and hormones being leached into there as well-eew.
So this is funny. Here I have thought of the same thing. On one hand, the cows people and land are happy, and on the other, we all suffer. hmmmmm. Humans, COME ON! And with the bees, too- why is their population declining???
Anyway, I titled this blog because I had a great moment looking into the sea today. I was riding my bike home from class, the sun was setting, and I stopped on this plank that looks out over te sea. From my vista I saw two plastic bags floating, swirling, undulating in the waters. Bottle caps littered on the shore, and algae breathing with the waves. Pirched atop the horizon I saw BIG cargo ships, all set to take things all around the world. I realized after some time how calming the sound and sights of the ocean are. Waves on sand is probably one of the most relaxing sounds to humans. Like breath, like a whisper from a good mother.
Oceans regulate the temperature for our Entire planet. They are what keep the cold parts cold and the warm parts warm. They have served as ports for ideas and goods to be transported throughout the world. They harvest as much (or more?) life as us creatures have above her waters, and they are so fun to play in as well. Oceans rule! So, why don´t we honor that? I know most of you reading this are Many many miles from any ocean, but just think tht every drop of water on this planet is the same water that has been and will continue to stay on this planet since Forever! All rivers lead to oceans. Every drop of rain, every snowflake- all part of this incredible self-regulating system we are privelaged enough to have on this life-sustaining planet of ours. So thanks, ocean. For all that you do, and for all you provide. I hereby promise to do everything within my powers to keep you alive and well so that someday I can sit on your shores and watch generations after me enjoy you as well.
That´s all.
Chau Chau