The Earth Charter

After reading the Earth Charter, I felt that this should have been our first blog entry. It encompasses everything we have talked about in colloquium. The Earth Charter provides different values and principles for a more sustainable future. It is a way that everyone can join together and become sustainable together.  What I liked about it, was that it was very straight forward, and to the point. Below are some parts of the Earth Charter that stood out to me.

“We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations”

http://www.save-our-planet.net/


 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the heart of what the Earth Charter is essentially about. It is the call for action, and I could not agree with it more. In order for us to build a more sustainable future, we need to work together. We need to understand all the aspects of what building a sustainable future really means, and tackle it. Not just tackle one problem, but all of them. It is our job to do everything we can to protect each other and our future generations.

Principle #1: “Respect Earth and life in all its diversity. A.) Recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings”



http://www.meetup.com/FAUNNJ/events/105831722/

  

 

This was a great point. We all have to take in consideration that us humans are not the only living beings on this planet. This reminds me of Shiva stated in What is Biodiversity and Why Is It So Important.  She stated “Humankind is one among millions of other species. It does not have a right to push other species to extinction, or to manipulate them for greed, profit, and power without concern for their wellbeing” (Shiva, 40). Unfortunately, we sometimes do act like we are the only beings that live on the planet, and make decisions that only benefit us. If we just took time and weighed out options and take in consideration the other beings that live with us, we would not be facing the challenges that we have now.


 

Principle #14: “Integrate into formal education and life-long learning the knowledge, values, and skills needed for a sustainable way of life”

 

This is a very good and crucial point. Education is the key to building a sustainable future. Growing up, I can remember in elementary school, we always practice recycling and celebrated Earth Day. But what I noticed is that they never really explained why we were doing it, and the importance. So I think that if sustainability was instilled at a young age and explained thoroughly, more people would understand the environmental challenges we are facing today. Not only should environmental education be carried out in school, it should also be taught at home. Children are more influenced by what happens in their homes. Parents can have a positive impact on their children if they practice sustainability at home. I do however believe that environmental education should be carried out through all years in school, and even at the university level. FGCU is already a step ahead with this class.  

http://www.bdchronicle.com/outlook/opiniondetail/47

Healing Earth's Scars: It's Never Too Late & Why Save Endangered Species - Jane Goodall et al.

" What is the point of saving endangered life-forms, people ask, if there is no where for them to live except in zoos?" (Goodall et al., p.161)

 

 

Unfortunately, this is the mindset of a lot of people today. This just goes to show how ignorant and selfish human kind can be. We do not really appreciate what we have, nor do we understand the importance of these species in our environment. Consequently, more and more species are going extinct because of our inability to comprehend their importance in the environment, and our overall selfishness.  If people were more informed and open minded, then more species will able to survive. However, it’s going to take a lot of effort. Like Goodall, Hudson, and Maynard stated, there is hope for our future, we just need dedicated individuals to aid in restoring what has been lost, and protecting what is endangered now. It is feasible, when I visited the Naples Zoo a few weekends ago, I learned about how the Black Bear was endangered  with only  approximately 200 bears in Florida some time ago. The bears they had at the zoo where rescued by FWC from someone who kept them as pets in their backyard. The zoo keeper spoke about how rules and regulations got stricter in order to save the black bear, and thus the black bear population increased and they were saved. She explained the importance of the black bear in our environment, and how they are an "umbrella" species. Meaning, that protecting this species, indirectly protects other species who depend on them. So, to answer the question that Goodall et al. posed, saving endangered life forms helps save others.

Black Bear
http://florida.sierraclub.org/Miami/esa2.asp


"And there is hope for wildlife, too. It was decided from the start that there should be clear distinction between land designated for human use, and land that would be most valuable set aside to ensure, for example, protection of the watershed, soil stability, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity" (Goodall et al., p.169)

I think that this is a great concept, and it should be implemented in more places. We would be helping the animals, harness biodiversity, and help the overall environment. Not only will it help the environment, it will benefit us as well. In the end, both parties will be happy. This concept sets a clear balance between human use and wildlife. Keeping a balance between the two will aid in preventing any further damage or loss to our environment.



http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-balance-scale-nature-human-constructio-vector-construction-image32845943

 Without plants, animals (including ourselves) cannot survive. Herbivores eat plants directly; canrivores eat creatures that have fed on plants–or, to be picky, they may eat animals that fed on animals that fed on plants ( Goodall et al., p.174)

https://www.fertnz.co.nz/build-a-healthy-food-pyramid/

This quote pretty much speaks for itself. It depicts how we all depend on one another as a means to survive.  I think that a lot of people fail to realize it, and just take what we have for granted.  It's the "circle" of life, and every bit of it is important. What if one day plants were gone? What will we do? Ultimately, we will not be able to survive.  We need to protect the resources we have available, our life depends on it.
 

 

 

 

The Obligation to Endure-Rachel Carson

http://environmentandpollution.blogspot.com
/2010/02/environmental-pollution-perils-of.html

"The most alarming of all man's assaults upon the environment is the contamination of the air, earth, rivers, and sea with dangerous and lethal materials." (Carson 153)

 

This is one of the first quotes Carson opens up the passage with. I felt that Carson’s argument was similar to Shiva’s, in which they emphasize the importance of biodiversity. In this quote, Carson illustrates how we have neglected to take care of our environment. We have brought this issue onto ourselves, and have destroyed our environment in various ways. Consequently, the damage is irreversible. Now that we are aware of the damage we’ve done, we need to take action in restoring what we can, and preserving whatever is not damaged.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticide

"...500 new chemicals to which the bodies of men and animals are required to somehow adapt each year, chemicals totally outside the limits of biological experiences (Carson, 155)." 

 

When I first read this quote, I could not help but think how scary this really is. Pesticides, and other chemicals we use on an everyday basis are still fairly new. We do not know exactly the side effects it can have on us, nor the overall consequences of using them. It is no wonder why species such as the bee, are declining in population. I am not even completely sure how we have been able to live while being introduced to foreign chemicals, pesticides, etc.

http://www.scenicreflections.com/media/
375066/protect_the_Earth_Wallpaper/

"Along with the possibility of the extinction of mankind by nuclear war, the central problem of our age has therefore become the contamination of man's total environment with such substances of incredible potential for harm-- substance that accumulate in the tissue of plants and animals and even penetrate the germ cell to shatter or alter the very material of heredity upon which the shape of the future depends (Carson, 155-156)"

 

 

Overall, we are not only just hurting ourselves, we are also hurting the environment. This quote really just shows how negligent we are. Because of our actions, we are putting our future on the line. This quote stood out to me because I really liked how Carson illustrated the damage that is not only done right now, but the effect it plays in the future in the long run. If we continue down this path, our future is at risk. It is up to us to stand up and make a difference.

 

"This is an era of specialists, each of whom sees his own problem and is unaware of or intolerant of the larger frame into which it fits" (Carson 160)

 

 

I think that this is the main problem we are seeing today. Everyone is mainly concerned or worried about themselves, and not looking at what bigger issues are out there, which is the damage we have done and continue doing to our environment. We all have to come to a compromise, and stop thinking about ourselves for one moment. Like Shiva stated in her reading, biodiversity is the key to life. The more aware we are on where we stand, the better prepared we are. The future of the environment depends on us.

 

 

 



What is Biodiversity and Why Is It So Important?-Vandana Shiva

"Biodiversity is the very fabric of life-it provides the conditions of life's emergence and maintenance, and the many different ways in which that life is expressed" (Shiva, 38)

 

http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-
environment/preserving-biodiversity-zmaz81mjzraw.aspx

Shiva begins the passage with this quote, and metaphorically depicts the importance of biodiversity. Biodiversity essentially means an abundance or richness of species in a particular environment. Biodiversity is crucial in any given ecosystem in various ways. Everything that lives in an ecosystem is part of a chain or web. Each species plays a crucial role, and some species even depend on other species for survival.  Plants, animals, and even humans depend on each other for food, shelter, and oxygen. Biodiversity also plays a crucial role in ecological services. For instance, the oxygen we breathe is provided by plants. Rivers, lakes, and wetlands clean water by absorbing chemicals for us to utilize.  Unfortunately, biodiversity on our planet has been in grave danger. Many species have gone extinct, or are at risk of extinction. If we continue the path of destroying biodiversity, the whole environmental system will be thrown off balance, and cause negative consequences.

 

"Humankind is one among millions of other species. It does not have a right to push other species to extinction, or to manipulate them for greed, profit, and power without concern for their wellbeing" (Shiva, 40)

 

 

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/03/130312--deextinction-conservation-animals-science-extinction-biodiversity-habitat-environment/

This was a powerful and bold statement, and I could not agree more. Ultimately, us humans are not the only living beings on the planet. We act like we can do whatever we want, whenever we want. We make careless decisions, without taking in consideration the long term consequences. Who are we to come and destroy another species’ habitat? The majority of people only look at other species as a benefit, and do not consider how valuable they can be. Thanks to us, many species have gone extinct or are on the verge of extinction. If we just took time and analyzed the consequences of our actions, we would not be in the situation that we are in today.

 

 "The smallest microbe plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological processes that create the conditions of life for all species, including, of course, our own." (Shiva, 41)

 

 

http://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/
bee-population-ccd-04042013/

This quote made me think of the quote from Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who “ A person, is a person, no matter how big or small.” This ties in with Shiva’s quote because it demonstrates that no matter how small something may seem, they too have a purpose. I agree, every little or insect, microbe creates life for other species. A perfect example of this are bees. Many famers depend on bees to pollinate their crops, and we also depend on bees to make honey. Something as small as a bee, can have a great impact on our environment.

 



A Tale of Two Farms:Jared Diamond

In A Tale Of Two Farms, Diamond discusses the collapses of past societies due to a variety of reasons. This passage was similar to that of Lester Brown in Plan B 4.0 . They both discuss how food shortages have a negative impact on the population. However, Diamond's passage was not as "gloomy" and "scary" to read. The whole symbolism behind comparing the two farms was to show that not one community is safer than another when it comes to thriving and surviving.  Environmental consequences can effect anyone.

The past offers us a rich database from which we can learn, in order that we may keep on succeeding" (Diamond, p. 17).

 

 http://timpeters.org/general/to-go-forwards-go-backwards/
 

This reminds me of what my mom always tells me. She always tells me that in order for us to move forward in life, we must learn from our past. This correlates to what the environment and what Diamond is trying to say in various ways. For instance, if we take what we have learned from extinct species and how we as a whole have played a role in the extinction, we can prevent future species from becoming extinct. Or if we look at how past societies have made mistakes and have suffered, we can learn from what they've done and prevent it from happening to us. The main point here is that we should learn from the past, in order to build a brighter future. I think the problem in our society is environmentally wise, is that we know the consequences of our actions, we just do not use our "database" wisely. We know that pollution, deforestation, habitat destruction are some of the problems we have had in the past, but no action is really taken. If we really want to make a change in the future, we need to analyze carefully the past mistakes and plan accordingly to better ourselves.

 

" Consequences for society included food shortages, starvation, wars among too many people fighting for too few resources, and overthrows of governing elites by disillusioned masses" (Diamond,p.21)

 

 

Unfortunately, we are already seeing some of these consequences today. From starvation in Africa, to the rise in tension on the source of our oil. History is repeating itself, and unfortunately we are hurting ourselves in the long run. Eventually, if we do not stop our unsustainable practices, it will be too late. We need to come to a compromise, and use the limited resources we have carefully, especially with the growth of population we are seeing. 

http://en.africatime.com/zimbabwe/articles/un-agency-says-22-mln-zimbabweans-face-food-shortages






Many people fear that ecocide has now come to overshadow nuclear war and emerging diseases as a threat to global civilization" (Diamond, p.22)

To be honest, I never heard of the term "ecocide" before I took this class. But, I put the pieces together. " Eco" refers to the environment and "cide" means to kill or harm. So together it means the killing of the environment. I agree with this statement. I think many people are now aware that our environment is in danger, and ultimately is one of the biggest issues we are facing today. Everywhere I go, I'm seeing something that has to do with preserving our environment. From "eco" friendly vehicles, to purses made out of recycled juice boxes. The awareness is evident, people are afraid of what the consequences of ecocide are, therefore are taking action.

 

 http://commissioningsuccess.com/2012/09/revised-eu-energy-agreement-avoids-annual-70-million-bill-for-nhs/eco-friendly/

 

 

Plan B 4.0 Chapters 1-3,10

" Business as usual is no longer a viable option. Food security will deteriorate further unless leading countries collectively mobilize to stabilize population, stabilize aquifers, conserve soils, protect cropland, and restrict the use of grain to produce fuel for cars" (Brown,9).

http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/
food-shortages-drive-global-prices-to-record-highs.html

Essentially our everyday actions, are leading to bigger problems. As our population increases, the need for resources increase. Since our population is increasing, our food supply is shrinking. It all makes sense. If the population is increasing more land is being used to build homes, etc. The less land we have, the less crops will be produced.  Thus, creating a scarcity of food supply for humans and animals. For example, grain is used to feed cattle, and we depend on cattle for meat and dairy products. Because of the increase of population, and land being cut back, many parts of the world no longer have the land available to produce grains. Consequently, leading to a shortage of dairy and meat products, making prices in grocery stores sky rocket. This quote made me think about how something as small as grain, can have a great impact in our food chain. It would be scary to see what would happen if it became unavailable overall.

" We are entering a new era, one of rapid and often unpredictable climate change" (Brown,56).

Looking back at my experiences in school, I remember learning about the "greenhouse effect". It was not until I started taking this class that I realized the importance of learning about it. Everyday, we hear about how more and more ice glaciers keep melting away because of rising temperatures.  The one thing that I specifically think about is the polar bears and how everyday their home is becoming smaller. Because of climate change, polar bears are in danger of becoming extinct in the future. Not only do rising and changing temperatures effect the glaciers, but crops, and numerous ecosystems. It is time that we start thinking about the damage we are doing, and take action. I feel as though this issue is not talked about as often as it should. It shouldn't just be discussed once in a blue moon, but everyday our environment and our lives depend on it.


" The notion that our civilization is approaching its demise is not an easy concept to grasp or accept. It is difficult to imagine something we have not previously experienced" (Brown,241).

Brown really hit the nail on the head with this statement. I feel that those who do not believe that our environment is in trouble, have this mindset. People are not going to take action on something that they are unsure is true. But, people fail to realize we are seeing the consequences everyday. If we continue down this path of destruction, we are just going to be in a situation where we can't get out. I'll admit, before I took this class I was skeptical about the issue of global warming, and us damaging our environment. In reality, we are and it's just a matter of time before it gets worse.

http://13grandmothersgermany.com/2013/04/15/mother-earth/

 

A Land Remembered: Patrick D Smith

http://www.amazon.com/Land-Remembered-Patrick-D-Smith/dp/1561641162

The character I decided to choose is Zech MacIvey. Zech is the son of Tobias and Emma MacIvey. Throughout the story we see that Zech's role is to assist his father on their farm from herding cattle, hunting, and gardening. He also helped his mother out whenever she needed it. Zech has a special love for animals, more specifically his dogs Nip and Tuck, and his black marshtackie (horse), Ishmael. Overall, Zech treats these animals like family. Throughout the novel, Zech  finds himself through his father. He admires his father, and looks up to him greatly.Zech relates to the environment and the natural world by working with the cattle, and growing up as a child in the wilderness. Growing up in the wilderness, this is where he developed his love for the outdoors. He felt content going out and exploring his surroundings alongside his father. Overall, I would say Zech's sense of place is the outdoors and his animals. Ultimately, the outdoors is where Zech felt home and felt happy. When it comes to his animals, he understood them very much. The part in the novel where we won the race, it felt like Ishmael and Zech unified. Because of this, they won the race. Zech had big plans for the future, and purchased thousands of acres of land. He sensed that his envir0nment and surroundings were changing and being destroyed. Thus, his legacy was to ensure that his children would develop a love and respect for the land as he did. He taught his son Sol all that he knew, and wanted to make sure that his principles and values were carried on. Ultimately, that was his legacy. I picked Zech because overall I felt he was a great character, and he related to the environment more closely than the others. I can relate to Zech in the sense that I too was raised to help my parents in everything I could. I still help them to this day. I also have two dogs myself whom I love very much, and treat them like they're family. The difference between Zech and I is that he grew up closer to the environment, and I grew up in the city. I wish I could have had a strong relationship with the environment as Zech had.

http://www.patricksmithonline.com/Powers/placetocallhome.html

Endgame:Michael Grunwald

 

 

Michael Grunwald's Endgame, depicts the difficulty between politics, and the environment. In this excerpt, he discusses the evolution of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan,and the struggles of building Homestead Airport. There was a battle in politics concerning these two projects. Below are some quotes in which stuck out to me.

 



"But the Everglades was still dying. The ecosystem's natural balance was so out of wack that efforts to save the Caple Sable Sparrow threatened the survival of the Everglade snail kite" (Grunwald,78).

Snail kite Source:
http://www.nps.gov/ever/naturescience/snailkite.htm



Caple Sable Sparrow
Source:http://www.nps.gov/ever/naturescience/csss.htm

 

 

This quote exemplifies what Leopold discussed in The Land Ethic. Leopold talked about the existence of the biotic pyramid. Basically, every one species depends on one another in some way. If we take one species out of the equation, it would have a consequences, whether it's positive or negative. In order for the Caple Sable Sparrow to thrive, their nests must be kept dry. But, because areas our drained to save this species, it makes nesting harder for the snail kite who needs the water to nest. Our ecosystem is still struggling to survive. According to The National Park Service,  "Because of a highly specific diet composed almost entirely of apple snails, survival of the Snail Kite depends directly on the hydrology and water quality of these watersheds, each of which has experienced pervasive degradation as a result of urban development and agricultural activities." It would be a shame to see these beautiful birds go extinct because of our carelessness.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Cattails were still spreading, tree islands were vanishing, muck soils were shrinking, estuaries were collapsing, and development was blocking the recharge of the region's groundwater. The greatest enemy of the Everglades, the coalition’s leader declared, was further delay.” (Grunwald 79)

Aerial View of Everglades:
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/everglades-photos/

 I liked how Grunwald depicted the damage that was occurring while lobbyists took forever to devise a plan. I agree with this statement, the longer we delay addressing the issue, the worse the situation gets. We've already lost a significant amount of our environment, and some pretty unique species. If we continue down this destructive path, we will lose something so precious and unique as the Everglades.

"Man's efforts to tame the Everglades had taken a toll---the death tolls of the 1926 and 1928 hurricanes, the near-extinction of panthers and sparrows and gourds, the soil losses and water shortages and traffic jams on the Palmetto Expressway--- but they had created homes and vacation destinations for millions of people, and more were on the way"(Grunwald, 101).

Housing development in the Everglades
Source:http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/everglades-oil.htm

This is absolutely true. Every day, more and more land is being plowed to create roads, houses, and shopping plazas. Consequently, this puts the animals that live there in danger. They are forced to relocate and have a hard time trying to survive. Little by little, many species are becoming endangered and unfortunately many are on the verge of extinction.




"As the new millennium dawned, the Everglades was not yet saved. But it was not doomed, either." (Grunwald,103).

What Grunwald is trying to say is that, the problem is still not fixed yet, and we still have time to address the issue. While many areas of the Everglades have been preserved, much of the area is owned by the public. We still have not made a "dent" in addressing the issue. What lies ahead for the Everglades in the future is uncertain.



The Nature of the Everglades - Marjory Stoneman Douglas

"There are no other Everglades in the world"

(Douglas, p.104).

This is how Marjory Stoneman Douglas begins The Nature of the Everglades. This statement made me think of how people take for granted the beautiful habitat of the Everglades. I am guilty of that too. I never realized how lucky us Floridians are, to be surrounded by such a beautiful environment. More specifically, the Everglades. The abundance of wildlife, mangroves, and water is what makes the Everglades truly unique. It is evident throughout the rest of the text that Douglas really admires the beauty within the Everglades. In this video below entitled Florida National Everglades Park, it captures just some of the unique wildlife and ecosystems present in the Everglades. I have not had the opportunity to visit the Everglades, but after reading this excerpt it is something I definitely would love to do!

 

 "Then the lion-colored light shuts down as the rain does, or the clouds fill with their steely haze every outline of the visible world and water falls solid, in sheets, in cascades" (Douglas, p.115).

http://stephenskory.com/2011/09/18/a-curtain-of-rain



 

Douglas did an excellent job describing how the sky looks as it rains. This quote stuck out to me because it reminds me of how a typical summer rainfall looks like. Douglas depicted this perfectly. As I read it, I just pictured in my head those afternoon showers we experience down here quite often. I envisioned seeing the sunlight on one part of the sky, and the clouds moving in quickly, and seeing the curtain of rain in the far distance. This picture to the left is what I imagined Douglas was describing in this quote.

" To understand the Everglades

one must first understand the rock" (Douglas, p.122).

http://pytczwee90.blog.com/2014/02/11/decomposers-of-florida-everglades-food-chain/

What I thought Douglas meant by this was that in order for us to understand the big picture, we must understand the little picture. Every little thing in our environment has a purpose. Overall, this quote made me think of how something as small as an ant, or fly can have an impact on something as big as the Everglades. For instance, a fish feeds off microscopic plankton and other fishes, birds and raccoons feed off these fishes, and at the top of the food chain is the panther. I think what Douglas was trying to say is that we have to really understand what the Everglades is composed of to understand the Everglades as a whole. The picture to the right demonstrates how the food chain in the Everglades would work.

Love it or Lose It: The Coming Biophilia Revolution: David Orr

" Biophobia ranges from discomfort in natural places to active scorn for whatever is not manmade, managed, or air-conditioned." (Orr,187)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103598417

Before I started colloquium, I never heard of biophobia, I did not even know it existed. I can say that I feel that our society is growing closer to becoming biophobic. With all of the technology such as video games, tablets, and Iphones, we are not drawn to the outdoors. In my personal experience, I grew up always playing outside and being active. I see my cousins who are young now, and they are always glued to their Iphones and tablets. Quite frankly, it is sad that people today do not appreciate our natural environment. At the rate we are going, our environment is going to suffer tremendously.

http://myers.salkeiz.k12.or.us/history_2008-2009.htm

" In return for our proper use, the earth is given to mankind as a trust. Proper use requires gratitude, humility, charity, and skill." (Orr, 192)
I think what Orr is trying to state that we should take good care of our environment. We got to think of it as a gift, and take precautions in caring for the Earth. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen people litter, and mistreat the environment. I have been guilty of it myself. Everyday we misuse the environment in some way, shape, or form. We really do not appreciate what we have.

" Life ought to excite our passion, not our indifference. Life in jeopardy ought to cause us to take a stand, not retreat into a spurious neutrality." (Orr,193) 

I could not agree more with Orr in this statement. People today do not understand that our actions have consequences. It does not matter how small it may seem, anything we do has an effect in our environment. For example, littering can have a consequence on the surrounding  living matters. The more we cut down trees to build new roads, homes, etc. , the more animals get endangered. The idea of conservation and recycling is still something people are reluctant to consider. Everyday we are doing something that puts our environment in great risk, but we are not taking an action.