1.  The World Commission on Environment and Development's report ``Our Common Future'' defines sustainable development as, ``Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.''

As population grows in coastal Southern California, how can we achieve sustainable development?  Concentrating on the coastal ocean, outline an action plan for sustainable development in this region.  You may wish to focus on one or more of the topics considered in our case studies this quarter.

2.  In The Perfect Storm, the fishermen of the Andrea Gail took some amazing risks in their effort to bring home a boatload of fish.  In a brief essay describe the factors that made the fishing industry particularly risky in the years leading up to the 1991 storm and describe changes that have come about or are likely to come about for the swordfish boats in the years since that storm.

3.  For the first time since 1994, the United States Senate is now under Democratic control.  We can expect the new Senate leadership to reconsider political priorities and to bring new issues to the political forefront.  In light of this recent shift, write a letter to California Senators Feinstein and Boxer outlining what action you would like the Senate to take on global warming and the Kyoto Protocol.

There is no correct answer, and you should consider that although the California senators are both Democrats, they expect to receive letters from individuals holding a wide range of political views.

To give yourself credibility, make sure that you write a well-informed letter demonstrating that you are familiar with  the scientific and political issues underlying your recommendation.