Over the course of last year I took both an environmental science class and an environmental law class in which I became aware of issues and laws regarding the environment and sustainability.  I also took an economics class during which we briefly discussed how economics and environmental issues were fused together.  One topic that was continuously impressed upon us was regulation in regards to environmental protection and how this is a relatively new train of thought and it will be up this generation to make decisions in this matter.  I am not an environmental scientist, an economist, or a politician.  I am just someone who after listening to points on both sides has decided that, while I do not have the credentials and/or area specific knowledge to generate exact laws, I do believe that there has to be good, sound solutions somewere in between totally "green" and doing nothing at all.  This coupled with one of the motto's I swear by, "everything is ok in moderation" has led me to believe that there is some middle ground that will be acceptable to all parties involved.

I needed some evidence of this proposed middle ground can appease two parties, and as a boat owner myself, I was already familiar with on-going debates on hull antifouling paint and descided to use relatively recent resolutions to the matter as a basis for my argument on "middle ground" solutions.

The links listed below are websites I checked prior to writing my persuasive essay.  I have included a brief discussion on each.

Overpopulation

  -  This web site gives a brief overview on the rapidly increasing number of humans on the planet and the resulting increased taxation on natural resources caused by it

Ted Turner's support of One Child Policy

  -  There are many extreme measures proposed to correct the overpopulation and increasing stress on natural resources.  There are one or two more extreme measures proposed by a very select few such as euthanasia, but for personal reasons I did not want to bring the proponents of those ideas any attention at all. 

EPA vs Boaters

  -  This is a good example of the two opposing parties in my example of middle ground regarding bottom paint.

Submarine Bottom Paint

  -  I wanted to discuss "exceptions to the rule" as I believe that there are always certain exceptions to every rule, even my own.  I also followed the time honored saying of "stick with what you know" and descided to talk about bottom paint used on sumbarines as I know the Navy is being slowly but surely sucked into civilian environmental regulations.  This website talks about antifouling paint used on subs.