Question #1: Is there a danger to a growing disconnect from nature?
Yes, I do believe that there is a sense of danger in people becoming less connected with nature. I think that it is becoming more difficult for people to appreciate the earth, and realize that we need it in order to survive. I believe that society does not think about the repercussions of our impacts on nature, or value the most basic necessities such as food and water that come from the natural environment.
I also think that it is scary to see a transition of children inside playing video games versus playing outdoors with friends. I was very shocked to hear in our class discussion that children of this age are not expected to live longer than their parents. I think this shows that technology is not always positive, and that it can damage the health of a society.
Overall, I believe that an effort needs to be made to keep in touch with nature and the natural environment that surrounds us every day. If people can connect with any part of nature I believe it is a step in the right direction.
Question #2: Where do your environmental ethics lie?
I believe that I fit into the biocentric level. I try to understand and appreciate all living things. That being said, I am also aware that I do not appreciate everything all the time, but my intentions in preserving the natural world are real. I try not to focus on the monetary value of things, which I believe separates me from the anthropocentric level. Overall, I enjoy being surrounded by nature and being engaged in the natural world around me.
Other Comments
I really enjoyed the video that we watched in class on Monday. I found it to be very truthful, and I took a lot out of it. There was a quote from it that I thought was fascinating and very real: "we are insulated from the natural world". I agree with this statement completely, and I can see how I am insulated everyday through technology, and media. My goal is to try and focus on connecting with my natural environment as much as possible, and try and let go of my "insulation".
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Reading Summaries
Tragedy of the Commons - Section #7
This reading was taken from an essay written by Garrett Hardin. It centers around the idea of a common ground or land that had been stripped of its worth due to people consuming as much as possible, and not thinking of the harm it has on the common land, thus resulting in a tragedy. The essay discusses how the current world situation surrounding depleted resources cannot be solved through technological practices. It must be looked at in a natural manner if resources are expected to one day become replenished. Hardin applies the theory of the Tragedy of the Commons to a variety of situations, including a shared grazing land. He suggests that it is not only stripping the land of its resources that creates damage, but also the addition of pollution. Another strong topic that Hardin focuses on is the idea of consciousness. He touches on the strengths and weaknesses of the consciousness, and how it plays a large role in the future. The essay ends with some suggestions on solutions for the future, and a way to end the Tragedy of the Commons.
Human Carrying Capacity - Section #35
This section was a small portion from a book titled How Many People Can the Earth Support? written by Joel E. Cohen. Based on the title of the section, this portion of the book takes a look at the Earth's human carrying capacity. It follows a case study of Easter Island, describing the first people to inhabit the island, and the changes that it underwent. It gives examples of specific trees that were used to make rope, but that no longer exist on the island. It goes on to highlight some of the causes that damaged the island, and mentions that the island is currently occupied by Chileans. The reading also touches on Earth's population growth and decline. Cohen states that if the Earth actually held the limit of people it could support, then humans would simply not tolerate it. Cohen also describes carrying capacity as a transition through time, using an example of a man in four positions. He believes that carrying capacity cannot be looked at as a constant due to continual changes around the world. Therefore, in order to gage carrying capacity we must base it on future assumptions instead of the current world.
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed - Section #38
This article from the textbook covers a series of issues that lead to the success or failure of a variety of societies from around the world. The author, Jared Diamond, gives thorough examples of societies that either thrived or diminished. Through a list of eight problems Diamond highlights what caused societies to fail in the past, while putting emphasis on the same issues that continue to effect societies today. Along with the eight original problems Diamond touches on four new problems that societies currently face, including human caused climate change, and energy shortages. Diamond was able to pose interesting questions regarding technology as a help or a hindrance in the future. He emphasizes that it is not just one factor that causes a society to fail or succeed, but a combination of many factors. Diamond also suggests that in order to solve societies issues, large corporations need to work with the environment for a change to occur.
This reading was taken from an essay written by Garrett Hardin. It centers around the idea of a common ground or land that had been stripped of its worth due to people consuming as much as possible, and not thinking of the harm it has on the common land, thus resulting in a tragedy. The essay discusses how the current world situation surrounding depleted resources cannot be solved through technological practices. It must be looked at in a natural manner if resources are expected to one day become replenished. Hardin applies the theory of the Tragedy of the Commons to a variety of situations, including a shared grazing land. He suggests that it is not only stripping the land of its resources that creates damage, but also the addition of pollution. Another strong topic that Hardin focuses on is the idea of consciousness. He touches on the strengths and weaknesses of the consciousness, and how it plays a large role in the future. The essay ends with some suggestions on solutions for the future, and a way to end the Tragedy of the Commons.
Human Carrying Capacity - Section #35
This section was a small portion from a book titled How Many People Can the Earth Support? written by Joel E. Cohen. Based on the title of the section, this portion of the book takes a look at the Earth's human carrying capacity. It follows a case study of Easter Island, describing the first people to inhabit the island, and the changes that it underwent. It gives examples of specific trees that were used to make rope, but that no longer exist on the island. It goes on to highlight some of the causes that damaged the island, and mentions that the island is currently occupied by Chileans. The reading also touches on Earth's population growth and decline. Cohen states that if the Earth actually held the limit of people it could support, then humans would simply not tolerate it. Cohen also describes carrying capacity as a transition through time, using an example of a man in four positions. He believes that carrying capacity cannot be looked at as a constant due to continual changes around the world. Therefore, in order to gage carrying capacity we must base it on future assumptions instead of the current world.
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed - Section #38
This article from the textbook covers a series of issues that lead to the success or failure of a variety of societies from around the world. The author, Jared Diamond, gives thorough examples of societies that either thrived or diminished. Through a list of eight problems Diamond highlights what caused societies to fail in the past, while putting emphasis on the same issues that continue to effect societies today. Along with the eight original problems Diamond touches on four new problems that societies currently face, including human caused climate change, and energy shortages. Diamond was able to pose interesting questions regarding technology as a help or a hindrance in the future. He emphasizes that it is not just one factor that causes a society to fail or succeed, but a combination of many factors. Diamond also suggests that in order to solve societies issues, large corporations need to work with the environment for a change to occur.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Ted Talk:A Fragile Earth/ Yann Arthus Bertrand - Activities
Summary
This was a short video surrounding the impacts that humans have on the earth. It highlighted the fact that people are in denial towards their effects on the earth, and that "people do not want to believe what they know"(1). Through a series of images Bertrand expresses the seriousness of the issues that our planet faces due to human ignorance and greed. Bertrand also touches on the release of his film titled Home, which is based on similar topics. The video shows Bertrand's efforts in reaching people by showing several videos from the 5000 interviews that he conducted around the world. Overall, the video gave a great introduction into the impacts of human life on the planet, and offered a positive message to those who are willing to listen and learn.
My Impressions
I felt as though this video was extremely eye opening. My impression of Bertrand is that he is a strong person who is able to share his message in an honest and open manner. The series of images in the video were stunning and shocking to look at, which made the message more powerful to me. I found that the statistics presented were distinct and showed the severity of the damage that we are inflicting on our planet. I was amazed to hear that 100% of the coral reef has the potential of being wiped out by or before the year 2050. I also found the interviews to be inspirational. It was incredible to hear from the man who said he had accomplished more in a wheelchair than he had with his legs, and it gives me the feeling that I can do more in my life. I enjoyed watching this video and learning about the impacts we create and the threats that the impacts cause.
This was a short video surrounding the impacts that humans have on the earth. It highlighted the fact that people are in denial towards their effects on the earth, and that "people do not want to believe what they know"(1). Through a series of images Bertrand expresses the seriousness of the issues that our planet faces due to human ignorance and greed. Bertrand also touches on the release of his film titled Home, which is based on similar topics. The video shows Bertrand's efforts in reaching people by showing several videos from the 5000 interviews that he conducted around the world. Overall, the video gave a great introduction into the impacts of human life on the planet, and offered a positive message to those who are willing to listen and learn.
My Impressions
I felt as though this video was extremely eye opening. My impression of Bertrand is that he is a strong person who is able to share his message in an honest and open manner. The series of images in the video were stunning and shocking to look at, which made the message more powerful to me. I found that the statistics presented were distinct and showed the severity of the damage that we are inflicting on our planet. I was amazed to hear that 100% of the coral reef has the potential of being wiped out by or before the year 2050. I also found the interviews to be inspirational. It was incredible to hear from the man who said he had accomplished more in a wheelchair than he had with his legs, and it gives me the feeling that I can do more in my life. I enjoyed watching this video and learning about the impacts we create and the threats that the impacts cause.
A Walk in the Park - Activities
I decided to choose the nature option for part of
my blog. I feel as though it was a wonderful opportunity to focus on school
while being in nature, and instead of reading a book, or being in front of a
computer screen. Connecting with nature is already something that I enjoy, but
like most people, probably don't spend enough time actually doing it. That
being said, I thoroughly appreciated my walk along the banks of the Red River.
I found that there is so much natural beauty in the simplest of things. For instance, the slight change in the colour of the leaves, and the sound that they make when you walk over them. It was nice to spend time in the changing of the seasons, and see a variety of colours like green, brown, yellow, and even light pink leaves. A specific image that stood out to me was the giant trees that had collapsed, but continue to function in their surroundings as support for other trees, and animals. It allowed me to see that it is all an interconnected system that goes through cycles and change, but does not need perfection to thrive.
While I was walking and observing I was overwhelmed with a variety of feeling. It was so peaceful, calming, relaxing, and safe. All of my feelings out in nature were positive. I could really gain a sense of enlightenment while I was in a natural environment versus one busy with traffic, and people. It was great to hear the sounds of birds, and the rushes of wind through the trees. I felt as though the air was fresh and that I could breathe deeply. The whole experience was genuinely refreshing, and gives me the urge to go out and enjoy this nature more often.
One question popped into my mind as I was leaving the park. I wondered if people take for granted the ability to go out and interact with nature. After pondering this thought I came to the conclusion that most people probably do, including myself. Nature is not something that anyone can control; therefore we take it for granted that it will sustain, and that we can depend on it. I believe now that we should look at nature as a privilege, and respect our natural environment as much as we respect the homes we live in. I truly gained a new respect for the nature that surrounds me, and will try to enjoy nature on a daily basis instead of taking it for granted.
I found that there is so much natural beauty in the simplest of things. For instance, the slight change in the colour of the leaves, and the sound that they make when you walk over them. It was nice to spend time in the changing of the seasons, and see a variety of colours like green, brown, yellow, and even light pink leaves. A specific image that stood out to me was the giant trees that had collapsed, but continue to function in their surroundings as support for other trees, and animals. It allowed me to see that it is all an interconnected system that goes through cycles and change, but does not need perfection to thrive.
While I was walking and observing I was overwhelmed with a variety of feeling. It was so peaceful, calming, relaxing, and safe. All of my feelings out in nature were positive. I could really gain a sense of enlightenment while I was in a natural environment versus one busy with traffic, and people. It was great to hear the sounds of birds, and the rushes of wind through the trees. I felt as though the air was fresh and that I could breathe deeply. The whole experience was genuinely refreshing, and gives me the urge to go out and enjoy this nature more often.
One question popped into my mind as I was leaving the park. I wondered if people take for granted the ability to go out and interact with nature. After pondering this thought I came to the conclusion that most people probably do, including myself. Nature is not something that anyone can control; therefore we take it for granted that it will sustain, and that we can depend on it. I believe now that we should look at nature as a privilege, and respect our natural environment as much as we respect the homes we live in. I truly gained a new respect for the nature that surrounds me, and will try to enjoy nature on a daily basis instead of taking it for granted.
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