Truthfully, the book was just a supplement to the class. What I have learned throughout this course can not be realized through sitting down and reading a book. Issues must be presented and then people must discuss them, clarify them, and conclude truth. With help from the book and information shared from the class, I have concluded not three but one issue. Do we as a species have enough respect to care for our earth well enough to enjoy its natural gifts? Though at first glance a lot of the things expressed throughout the class seem negative, one concludes at the end that all is not lost. There are many people throughout our world who realize the damage we are doing, and are working with great strife and dedication towards fixing the problem. Some advancements made seem pertinent, like nature preserves. Still other problems rage on, still with people on both sides of the issue.
I feel this class has taught me the only way to solve this problem is to educate the world about the implications our actions can have on the future of the planet. If more people were aware of the amount of waste they create, or their ecological footprint- they will think twice. And that seems like all we need....
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Final Thoughts
Woah- surprise surprise. This class ended up being one of my favorite college courses. All of my prior biases have been eliminated, and it has changed my whole perception of the natural world. I wouldn't change any part of this class, but would have maybe rather took it in fall or spring so I had more time for the work. The only assignments I found a little too much were these actual journals. Though they make you think, a lot of the connections are already made, and these journals just regergitate already confirmed thoughts. I think in a class like this, the more controversial the information the better. It makes you face real situations that we will soon be facing. Continue asking and tempting students to express how they feel about issues. The best way to learn about the things in this class is to openly speak about them.
A land remeberd was as good as it gets. One of the best books I have ever read, I recommend this novel to be used throughout FGCU's colloqiuim indefinitely. The other two on the other hand were a little much.... Now I understand to learn about issues, it must be expressed factually and scientifically like in State of the World. But the reading seemed a little too biased for me, and dropped a a few too many bogus statistics. As well, some of the readings in the colloqiuim reader were inspriring, but others too bland. I respect Paul Loeb, but honestly he just bores the snooze out of me.
The field trips were what overall made the class. Even the required service learning was like a field trip for me as well. All in all, I would suggest all of the trips we went to to the other classes. Ms. Davis, you did a fantastic job and I wish you the best :)
A land remeberd was as good as it gets. One of the best books I have ever read, I recommend this novel to be used throughout FGCU's colloqiuim indefinitely. The other two on the other hand were a little much.... Now I understand to learn about issues, it must be expressed factually and scientifically like in State of the World. But the reading seemed a little too biased for me, and dropped a a few too many bogus statistics. As well, some of the readings in the colloqiuim reader were inspriring, but others too bland. I respect Paul Loeb, but honestly he just bores the snooze out of me.
The field trips were what overall made the class. Even the required service learning was like a field trip for me as well. All in all, I would suggest all of the trips we went to to the other classes. Ms. Davis, you did a fantastic job and I wish you the best :)
...
I once thought...
It is great to build large stone buildings
To sit for hours eating popcorn staring at a TV
To drive the nicest car as fast as possible
Using as many gadgets as my fingers can handle
To live in a large house
with many things that,
well, I only use once
I once thought highly of an affluent life.
I thought it sustainable, and feasible for the entire world
I figured we could all live in AC and run everything always.
I was taught wrong, and thought wrong.
We are taking ourselves too far into something that is not good.
And we are missing out on what we once had
It is great to build large stone buildings
To sit for hours eating popcorn staring at a TV
To drive the nicest car as fast as possible
Using as many gadgets as my fingers can handle
To live in a large house
with many things that,
well, I only use once
I once thought highly of an affluent life.
I thought it sustainable, and feasible for the entire world
I figured we could all live in AC and run everything always.
I was taught wrong, and thought wrong.
We are taking ourselves too far into something that is not good.
And we are missing out on what we once had
Neighborhood Walk
As I reflected on my last post about this and looked at my drawing, I even more-so realized how unsustainable college club really is. We pay a package utility bill monthly, so our water usage and A/C prices do not differ regardless of how often we use them. Therefore, the majority of apartments are freezing cold, always running the wash machine with every light and outlet in use. As well, we have a trash pickup that only picks up trash. If you throw your trashbag in front of your door past 12 A.M, someone comes and picks it up for you real early in the morning. As well, the dumpster that I had not drawn in the previous post has no recycling bins. So to recycle here, you must sort your trash, and then take your recyclables somewhere like to FGCU. I know its not that serious, but too much of a chore to have a large portion of people doing it. Maybe I will say something next time I walk in there....
I am moving out at the end of this month too, so I am fortunate enough to be able to be aware of my resource usage. This class has obviously made me aware of my actions.
Spirituality
This post is a bit different for me because my spiritual beliefs are a bit different too. I was raised Roman Catholic, and went to a Roman Catholic school from kindergarten until I graduated highschool. When I was young, the belief in God was easy. Still I feel guilt when I write about my feelings towards the whole thing.
When I was in the 8th grade, my class of 60 were to all be confirmed. At this point in my life, I was completely confused as of to my beliefs. I guess I "pretended" to believe in God, however sick that may sound. But I truly don't think it is a bad thing. The ideologies and thoughts the camp in "Renewal" seemed healthy and positive, and were similar to what I was taught.
In my schooling I was able to gain "spirituality" through desire to better myself. This allowed me to somewhat pray, but rather reflect on what I could have done and can do to better myself and those I love. I appreciate nature- and really believe it is the best place to relax.
Even the children felt that prayer in the forest was deeper and more meaningful. If more people can experience this, they too will gain a sense of appreciation and maybe work towards protecting it.
When I was in the 8th grade, my class of 60 were to all be confirmed. At this point in my life, I was completely confused as of to my beliefs. I guess I "pretended" to believe in God, however sick that may sound. But I truly don't think it is a bad thing. The ideologies and thoughts the camp in "Renewal" seemed healthy and positive, and were similar to what I was taught.
In my schooling I was able to gain "spirituality" through desire to better myself. This allowed me to somewhat pray, but rather reflect on what I could have done and can do to better myself and those I love. I appreciate nature- and really believe it is the best place to relax.
Even the children felt that prayer in the forest was deeper and more meaningful. If more people can experience this, they too will gain a sense of appreciation and maybe work towards protecting it.
Earth Charter
The Earth Charter has so far been the most legitimate solution for making large positive effects on our global crisis. First things first, to lay the problem on the table, the most industrialized nations have done the most damage. These nations have come together, recognized their faults, and have made a charter to try and strive towards bettering the future of our planet. As we have learned throughout the class- the burning of fossil fuels puts greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which traps heat. We have proposed to try and reduce our CO2 emissions to combat global warming. I believe the proposition being made is extremely feasible and realistic on all levels. A good thing can grow into something great, and if we could make environmentalism global, we may be an overall more productive and happy species.
Ecological Footprint
I scored a 5.1 I knew before I finished the test that my score wouldn't be good. The things that hurt me are my food consumption and travel, but I really don't see any alternative. My family also uses a lot of fossil fuels for travel and work. I would assume my Dad's ecological footprint would be much worse than mine, making me realize more how much change we really need. Though I question really how the numbers are constructed, it makes some sense. I know that if everyone lived like me, we would be in great environmental trouble. But I don't know what I can do but inform friends about the problem and hope for a renewable alternative fuel. Things like this scare me.......
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Corckscrew swamp
The most magical of all field trips. I enjoyed everything about it. If you really wanted to, I could sit here and write about how I feel about that place all day. But I will spare you and try to keep it a bit shorter. To be completely honest, if things are to ever really go bad, that is where I am going. Packing up my gear, losing the cell phone and taking off. I realize I can get in trouble with the police, but thats a risk I'll take. Won't be able to find me in there :) To me that place is enchanting, a wonderful getaway of a past to never be brought back. I would go with a tent, some food, a knife and a water jug. I guess I would make do after that. As one of my previous papers suggested, feelings of happiness and self fulfillment would be greater in such a lifestyle. All I would want is a woman. I hope you don't think I am a crazy hippy or anything, the thought is just magical. Hell, almost believable. I hope those times aren't gone forever
Fuel
Class Twice a day I drive about 6 miles.
If I do not have class, I work, which is 18 miles from me. I do one or the other everyday, so therefore I drive on average 12 miles a day.
My carbon output was a 9.6. I figured it would be better, but I guess driving to work and back does bring up the average and burn a lot of fossil fuels. It almost makes the problem look too big. My car isn't much of the gas guzzler, but still emits a large footprint. If everyone in the world had my car and drove the same distance- our world would be in a bit of trouble... I don't usually car pool unless I am taking a taxi. There needs to be a massive change in our primary source of energy.
If I do not have class, I work, which is 18 miles from me. I do one or the other everyday, so therefore I drive on average 12 miles a day.
My carbon output was a 9.6. I figured it would be better, but I guess driving to work and back does bring up the average and burn a lot of fossil fuels. It almost makes the problem look too big. My car isn't much of the gas guzzler, but still emits a large footprint. If everyone in the world had my car and drove the same distance- our world would be in a bit of trouble... I don't usually car pool unless I am taking a taxi. There needs to be a massive change in our primary source of energy.
Urban
Though not the most "fun" field trip, I made a lot of important connections. I honestly didn't like the beginning, and didn't understand why we stopped at a closed museum. I also don't think the house shown was really like one would have been in the 1800's. But to cut through a lot of the BS, the trip taught me something very valuable. It showed me, straight up in my face, that our society is unsustainable. I almost feel bad, because we destroy so much. But I guess we just have to figure it out, slowly. The group conversation was intriguing, and I learned from it as well. The field trip sent me home with my mind stirred up. But I think this thought process is healthy and soul searching. You have taught me a great deal Ms. Davis.
Packaging
Wow,
Well, I wake up- and check my cellphone. Brush my teeth, shave and then wash my hands and face. Eat breakfast, eggs, cereal and orange juice. Shower, then use the restroom. Put my clothes on, check my facebook. Drive to the gas station, pick up a power bar and Gatorade. Work till close, come home. Case of beer, buddies and Yahtzee. sleep
Cell- Cardboard box wrapped with cellophane. Then a large Styrofoam insert.
Toothbrush- Cardboard and Plastic
Razor- Weird Little plastic thing
Shaving Cream- Large aluminum casing
Hand Soap- Plastic bottle
Cereal- Cardboard box and plastic like wrapper?
Eggs- Styrofoam
Orange Juice- Plastic Bottle
Bodywash- Plastic container
Shampoo- Another plastic container
Socks- Some kind of plastic wrap
Boxers- The same packaging
Computer- Huge combination of common packaging items
Power Bar- Plastic wrapper
Gatorade- Plastic bottle
Beer Cans- Aluminum
Honestly, this post at first aggravated me. I thought it was ridiculous to think of all my packaging. But I realized the majority of everything I buy, I use until its empty and throw it away. Every item named above is virtually "disposable", therefore all the waste is going into a dump. And the items aren't environmentally friendly either. These plastics and styrofoams will sit for years to come, and be doubled and tripled faster than they break down. Overall, this post was a real eye opener.
Well, I wake up- and check my cellphone. Brush my teeth, shave and then wash my hands and face. Eat breakfast, eggs, cereal and orange juice. Shower, then use the restroom. Put my clothes on, check my facebook. Drive to the gas station, pick up a power bar and Gatorade. Work till close, come home. Case of beer, buddies and Yahtzee. sleep
Cell- Cardboard box wrapped with cellophane. Then a large Styrofoam insert.
Toothbrush- Cardboard and Plastic
Razor- Weird Little plastic thing
Shaving Cream- Large aluminum casing
Hand Soap- Plastic bottle
Cereal- Cardboard box and plastic like wrapper?
Eggs- Styrofoam
Orange Juice- Plastic Bottle
Bodywash- Plastic container
Shampoo- Another plastic container
Socks- Some kind of plastic wrap
Boxers- The same packaging
Computer- Huge combination of common packaging items
Power Bar- Plastic wrapper
Gatorade- Plastic bottle
Beer Cans- Aluminum
Honestly, this post at first aggravated me. I thought it was ridiculous to think of all my packaging. But I realized the majority of everything I buy, I use until its empty and throw it away. Every item named above is virtually "disposable", therefore all the waste is going into a dump. And the items aren't environmentally friendly either. These plastics and styrofoams will sit for years to come, and be doubled and tripled faster than they break down. Overall, this post was a real eye opener.
Canoe Trip
My favorite field trip yet, our Canoe trip at FGCU marine lab ended up working out perfectly. I could see the hesitation in some of the other classmates eyes. Some were unsure of grouping up with another person and hopping into a canoe while it looks like a thunderstorm is brewing. Personally, I was stoked. I love things like canoeing and hiking, and at this point I enjoy the personality of the class as a whole. I was unsure of the two "guides" we had with us. I'm pretty sure the girl in deadlocks and I did not hit it off....
But overall the trip gave a sense of calmness. It was a lot of fun, and the porpiouse's were icing on the cake. I was able to tip our canoe and swim in the cool estuary water- but I don't think Mike enjoyed it as much as me.
The mangrove estuary was a fascinating place that I have learned to respect. It contains shallow water, which suprised me when I cut my foot on the sharp bottom. I have learned the actual mangroves are home to a large biodiversity, and often used as a nursing home. Protecting this area allows young fish and other creatures to grow big enough to not be immediatly eaten. Fantastic trip- couldn't have been happier :)
But overall the trip gave a sense of calmness. It was a lot of fun, and the porpiouse's were icing on the cake. I was able to tip our canoe and swim in the cool estuary water- but I don't think Mike enjoyed it as much as me.
The mangrove estuary was a fascinating place that I have learned to respect. It contains shallow water, which suprised me when I cut my foot on the sharp bottom. I have learned the actual mangroves are home to a large biodiversity, and often used as a nursing home. Protecting this area allows young fish and other creatures to grow big enough to not be immediatly eaten. Fantastic trip- couldn't have been happier :)
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