Question #1: What role, if any, should zoo's play in conservation and education?
I believe that zoo's do exist as a place to preserve and protect some animals, and play a part in educating youth and adults on the issues surrounding wildlife. However, I also feel that zoo's do not accommodate all of the animals that might live there. I feel as though keeping animals in captivity is not fair to the true nature of the animal. Zoo's can act to help a threatened species, but I feel as though this can hinder the animal if it was to be released back into the wild.
Question #2: Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos? If so, what size or type of animal or zoo?
I do not believe that it is ethical to keep animals in zoos. It is not fair to keep an animal caged, and deprived of its natural lifestyle. I believe that the natural instincts of animals can be lost when they are kept in captivity. Instincts, such as hunting skills, and basic protection against predators. Since animals are not exposed to a natural ecosystem they lose the functions. I do not think that any animal, big or small, belongs at a zoo.
Question #3: Do you enjoy visiting zoos?
I can honestly say that I am not a fan of the zoo. It might be interesting to see the animals in person, but they are not immersed in their natural habitat so it defeats the purpose of seeing how the animal might behave. It is sad to see animals in small quarters, yelled at all day, and put on display for large crowds. I would much rather go out into nature and experience animals in their natural environments, this way I can gain a true sense of the animals and their surroundings.
Other Comments
I really enjoyed taking this course. I found the topics that we covered to be interesting and insightful. I thought that the vocabulary terms given out were a great way to keep us thinking about the class, and the issues associated with the environment. I learnt a lot about environmental issues that I was not familiar with before. I also found the waste audit assignment to be very successful for myself. It was a great way to look at my waste production, and the environmental action allowed me the opportunity to improve my waste habits. Overall, I got a lot out of this class, and am grateful that I got the chance to take a class centered around current issues that our society faces.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Ted Talk: Wish to Protect Our Oceans / Sylvia Earle - Activities Blog #4
Summary
This talk by Sylvia Earle is centered around the importance and preservation of the ocean. Earle discusses her history and experiences with oceans, and through the use of her personal views Earle is able to highlight the importance of the ocean as the main life support system on Earth. Earle delivers a strong introduction, with alarming facts about the degradation of the oceans ecosystems. She states that everyone is connected to the ocean, and it shapes the earth, climate, and is the key to the human life cycle. Earle makes it clear that humans are responsible for the loss of ocean assets, and that the impact is severe. Another aspect Earle touches on is the benefit of technology, and how new technologies are needed in order to protect the oceans biodiversity, and to increase its resilience. Through the use of humour and photos, Earle captures the attention of the audience. She emphasizes the degree of degradation world wide, but remains optimistic by stating that there is still time to change the situation. She also promotes that hope is derived from the already protected areas of the oceans. To finish off, Earle states that "the time is now", and that in order to protect future generations, changes must occur immediately.
Impressions
I found this video to be highly intriguing. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Sylvia Earle speak, and found her opinions to be honest and humble. The series of photos are phenomenal and truly add depth to the video. Seeing all the different species is fascinating, but it is amazing that this is only a tiny fraction of the life in the ocean. It is interesting to think of the ocean as our life support system, but it is true we are all connected by the ocean. The video also presented some shocking statistics, which really put into perspective how much damage the ocean has endured. I agree with Earle when she says that the time to change is now. If we start to eliminate the issues we are creating, then there is opportunity for restoration. It is important for people to be aware of the impacts they are creating, and I believe that this video does a great job of highlighting the implications of our world, and what needs to be done in order to repair the damage done.
This talk by Sylvia Earle is centered around the importance and preservation of the ocean. Earle discusses her history and experiences with oceans, and through the use of her personal views Earle is able to highlight the importance of the ocean as the main life support system on Earth. Earle delivers a strong introduction, with alarming facts about the degradation of the oceans ecosystems. She states that everyone is connected to the ocean, and it shapes the earth, climate, and is the key to the human life cycle. Earle makes it clear that humans are responsible for the loss of ocean assets, and that the impact is severe. Another aspect Earle touches on is the benefit of technology, and how new technologies are needed in order to protect the oceans biodiversity, and to increase its resilience. Through the use of humour and photos, Earle captures the attention of the audience. She emphasizes the degree of degradation world wide, but remains optimistic by stating that there is still time to change the situation. She also promotes that hope is derived from the already protected areas of the oceans. To finish off, Earle states that "the time is now", and that in order to protect future generations, changes must occur immediately.
Impressions
I found this video to be highly intriguing. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Sylvia Earle speak, and found her opinions to be honest and humble. The series of photos are phenomenal and truly add depth to the video. Seeing all the different species is fascinating, but it is amazing that this is only a tiny fraction of the life in the ocean. It is interesting to think of the ocean as our life support system, but it is true we are all connected by the ocean. The video also presented some shocking statistics, which really put into perspective how much damage the ocean has endured. I agree with Earle when she says that the time to change is now. If we start to eliminate the issues we are creating, then there is opportunity for restoration. It is important for people to be aware of the impacts they are creating, and I believe that this video does a great job of highlighting the implications of our world, and what needs to be done in order to repair the damage done.
Reading Summaries Blog #4
Life and Death of the Salt Marsh - Section #8
This section was a small portion from a book written by John and Mildred Teal. The introduction begins as a tale of the salt marshes, and is highly descriptive. They describe the differences between a healthy marsh, and a sick marsh, including details such as the odors. There is also a comparison between north and south marshes, and the functionality of people walking on them. Another feature the authors describe is what the marshes look like during high and low tides. John and Mildred go on to emphasize the implications of human exposure to the wetland and marsh ecosystems. They state that humans directly and indirectly harm the wetlands, through ignorant destruction, and through pollution. They also propose that the increase in coastal populations will degrade the wetlands even further. Solutions to maintain the wetlands are offered by the authors, and they state that the wetlands must be preserved almost in entirety if the preservation of the wetlands is to have any real meaning. In reality, the wetlands are more valuable as wetlands than what has become of them.
Ecosystems and Human Well-being - Section #10
This reading follows the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment from 2005. It discusses the fact that in the past 50 years humans have altered ecosystems more than ever before. The assessment identifies three main issues associated with change and the management of the worlds ecosystems. These issues are as follows: 1) Approximately 60% of the ecosystems examined are being degraded or used unsustainably; 2) changes being made in ecosystems are increasing the possibility of nonlinear changes in ecosystems; and 3) the harmful effects of the degradation of ecosystem services are being borne disproportionately by the poor, are contributing to growing inequalities, and can lead to poverty and social conflicts. The assessment shows that there are no simple solutions, however a variety of options to better the sustainable management of ecosystems are available. Through the use of many examples, the assessment addresses the issues surrounding proper ecosystem management, and highlights the changes that are possible in order to improve management systems.
Living Downstream: An Ecologist looks at Cancer and the Environment - Section #28
The following selection is a piece taken from a larger work titled Living Downstream: An Ecologist looks at Cancer and the Environment, by Sandra Steingraber. In this small section, Steingraber talks about her family and the variety of cancer types that several of her family members were diagnosed with. She presents that humans are susceptible to their environments, and that one of the greatest causes of cancer is environmental exposure. Personal stories and connections bring Steingrabers words to life. As well, the quality of detail and description draw the reader into her journey, allowing them to gain a true sense of her experiences. Steingraber also discusses information on isolated cancer cases, but was unable to find information on a combination of contaminants or encounters. She goes on to talk about cancer's environmental roots, stating that societies are focused on genes being a major cause of cancer, instead of environments. The piece finishes off by looking at the principle of the least toxic alternative: an approach that presumes toxic substances will not be used while other options are available. The reader is able to obtain a clear idea of Steingrabers experiences and views from this short section of the her book.
Our Stolen Future - Section #29
This article from the textbook focuses on how chemicals have become a part of the human's environment and are ultimately becoming a part of their bodies. The authors state that people forget that their well-being is rooted in natural systems, since people live in man-made landscapes. The article compares the concept of synthetic chemical testing on animals to the actual effects of these chemicals on humans. The notion is presented that animal testing is inaccurate since test animals are not humans. The authors prove this idea with evidence showing that hormone disruptor's that threaten animals pose the same threat on human populations. The article demonstrates that animal studies provide an outlet for identifying and investigating what might occur in humans. It also displays that animal studies can deliver early warnings about the serious implications of synthetic chemicals. Overall, this article was well organized and factual, and offered an in-depth look into the issues that synthetic chemicals pose on societies today and in the future.
Environmental Justice for All - Section #31
This section focuses on the global issue of environmental justice: inequitable environmental burdens. Robert D. Bullard suggests that pollution problems generally target the less affluent and poverty stricken communities of the world. He discusses a series of summits that were held in order to improve the standard of living for people in less wealthy communities. Bullard also looks at specific environmental justice cases, such as Bean versus Southwestern Waste Management. Through a series of examples Bullard is able to emphasize environmental justice issues and their impacts. He presents the triumphs of environmental justice strategies, while displaying the struggles associated with its implementation. Bullard finishes by stating that in order for environmental justice to be achieved, there must be equal protection for impoverished communities, and that all people deserve to be supported and protected from the filth of pollution.
This section was a small portion from a book written by John and Mildred Teal. The introduction begins as a tale of the salt marshes, and is highly descriptive. They describe the differences between a healthy marsh, and a sick marsh, including details such as the odors. There is also a comparison between north and south marshes, and the functionality of people walking on them. Another feature the authors describe is what the marshes look like during high and low tides. John and Mildred go on to emphasize the implications of human exposure to the wetland and marsh ecosystems. They state that humans directly and indirectly harm the wetlands, through ignorant destruction, and through pollution. They also propose that the increase in coastal populations will degrade the wetlands even further. Solutions to maintain the wetlands are offered by the authors, and they state that the wetlands must be preserved almost in entirety if the preservation of the wetlands is to have any real meaning. In reality, the wetlands are more valuable as wetlands than what has become of them.
Ecosystems and Human Well-being - Section #10
This reading follows the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment from 2005. It discusses the fact that in the past 50 years humans have altered ecosystems more than ever before. The assessment identifies three main issues associated with change and the management of the worlds ecosystems. These issues are as follows: 1) Approximately 60% of the ecosystems examined are being degraded or used unsustainably; 2) changes being made in ecosystems are increasing the possibility of nonlinear changes in ecosystems; and 3) the harmful effects of the degradation of ecosystem services are being borne disproportionately by the poor, are contributing to growing inequalities, and can lead to poverty and social conflicts. The assessment shows that there are no simple solutions, however a variety of options to better the sustainable management of ecosystems are available. Through the use of many examples, the assessment addresses the issues surrounding proper ecosystem management, and highlights the changes that are possible in order to improve management systems.
Living Downstream: An Ecologist looks at Cancer and the Environment - Section #28
The following selection is a piece taken from a larger work titled Living Downstream: An Ecologist looks at Cancer and the Environment, by Sandra Steingraber. In this small section, Steingraber talks about her family and the variety of cancer types that several of her family members were diagnosed with. She presents that humans are susceptible to their environments, and that one of the greatest causes of cancer is environmental exposure. Personal stories and connections bring Steingrabers words to life. As well, the quality of detail and description draw the reader into her journey, allowing them to gain a true sense of her experiences. Steingraber also discusses information on isolated cancer cases, but was unable to find information on a combination of contaminants or encounters. She goes on to talk about cancer's environmental roots, stating that societies are focused on genes being a major cause of cancer, instead of environments. The piece finishes off by looking at the principle of the least toxic alternative: an approach that presumes toxic substances will not be used while other options are available. The reader is able to obtain a clear idea of Steingrabers experiences and views from this short section of the her book.
Our Stolen Future - Section #29
This article from the textbook focuses on how chemicals have become a part of the human's environment and are ultimately becoming a part of their bodies. The authors state that people forget that their well-being is rooted in natural systems, since people live in man-made landscapes. The article compares the concept of synthetic chemical testing on animals to the actual effects of these chemicals on humans. The notion is presented that animal testing is inaccurate since test animals are not humans. The authors prove this idea with evidence showing that hormone disruptor's that threaten animals pose the same threat on human populations. The article demonstrates that animal studies provide an outlet for identifying and investigating what might occur in humans. It also displays that animal studies can deliver early warnings about the serious implications of synthetic chemicals. Overall, this article was well organized and factual, and offered an in-depth look into the issues that synthetic chemicals pose on societies today and in the future.
Environmental Justice for All - Section #31
This section focuses on the global issue of environmental justice: inequitable environmental burdens. Robert D. Bullard suggests that pollution problems generally target the less affluent and poverty stricken communities of the world. He discusses a series of summits that were held in order to improve the standard of living for people in less wealthy communities. Bullard also looks at specific environmental justice cases, such as Bean versus Southwestern Waste Management. Through a series of examples Bullard is able to emphasize environmental justice issues and their impacts. He presents the triumphs of environmental justice strategies, while displaying the struggles associated with its implementation. Bullard finishes by stating that in order for environmental justice to be achieved, there must be equal protection for impoverished communities, and that all people deserve to be supported and protected from the filth of pollution.
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