The Earth Charter

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Respect and Care For the Community of Life
"Recognize that all beings are interdependent.." The very first principle of the Earth Charter is about respect. This quote demonstrates how we depend on plants and other animals just as much as they depend on us. Sparking memories of the discussion in class, I though of how we drew the pyramid of animals from a reading, starting with the soil, and leading all the way to humans. This was not saying that we were dominant, but it displayed the message similar to the very first principle of the Earth Charter; we are all equal and depend on one another. If one tier were to be taken out, all of the other tiers would crumple, or overgrow, hindering the neighboring tiers. This also demonstrates a balance we need to be aware of to "transmit to future generations values, traditions, and institutions.."

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Ecological Integrity
"Manage the use of renewable resources.." Brown's Plan B 4.0 has definitely been making it's presence known throughout my time in Colloquium. Ecological Integrity is meant to protect Earth;s ecological systems, very similar to the ideas and beliefs Brown shares in Ch.8 Restoring the Earth. This earth Charter recognizes that endangered species and ecosystems need to be revived, and that to prevent further tragedies we must manage the use of our resources. Brown details this and how we can specifically take matters into our own hands for the betterment of the environment and to prevent harm. 

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Social and Economic Justice

"Empower every human being with the education and resources to secure a sustainable livelihood..."We saw of this when we visited the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. This organization demonstrates the principle of social and economic justice by fighting for workers rights to more pay for the hard work they are doing. I'm glad that I am able to witness an example of this principle being addressed, especially in my local area as they try to eradicate poverty.Social and economic justice also mentioned that human beings should be exposed to the education and resources to live sustainably, and I feel that the entire concept of Colloquium fits within all of these principles, but III specifically because it also points out that young people should have this education in order to create sustainable communities. 

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Democracy, Non-Violence, and Peace

"Avoid or eliminate to the full extent possible the taking or destruction of non-targeted species..." This principle was demonstrated as we provided our service to the Gordon river Greenway. We planted species to not only beautify the area, but to also ensure that the other species, and those that are invasive do not take over the native ones. This also correlates with the idea of strengthening local communities, another concept under the principle of Democracy, non-violence, and peace. The Greenway had many residents walking or exercising along it, showing that they appreciate the beauty of the outdoors, and they really liked what we were providing to them! 

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Plan B 4.0

Brown begins his global environment argument with all of the troubles we are facing, and what some causes are. What stood out to be the most was that we have approached a new food era, meaning our food demand is high with the rapidly growing population, the prices are substantially rising as well, and the only thing that's decreasing is the amount of food we have to provide (Brown xi) . Funny how that works. Brown claims that this is driven by the "population growth, falling water tables, rising temperature, ice melting, and the use of grain to produce fuel for cars" (Brown xi). I can definitely understand how these influxes are causing retreat in the crops we need, and it is eye-opening to see it all spelled out on paper because these types of ideas don't cross everyone's mind too often. But Brown does allude that it will become a thought, once we are living in the days where it is too late to do anything (Brown 31).

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He then goes on to define what Plan B is: a strategy to transform the environmental and economy from a coal, oil, and natural gas based world to more environmentally friendly ways such as wind, solar, and energy generators (Brown 24). I believe this transition would be very straightforward and, dare I say, effortless. Even for those that are not very aware or consistently updated with what is happening with the worlds economy, switching from these world based products to ones that seem painful and very modern should be something that takes over. Brown further says that all of the factors that are devastatingly changing the world are connected. They are all interdependent on one another, so if we begin to change one, they will all either start to change in effect, or will need to be changed too (Brown 25). I like the idea that if we start a movement and get everyone on board, then other will be prompted or motivated to fix other problem areas.

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However, I do feel that there is not much that can be done with the life cycle and predisposition of large bodies of water. Brown says that there will be a time when rice fields will be submerged from the melting of ice sheets (Brown 7). With these types of topics, I feel there is only so much we as humans can do. Now it starts to get tricky when one considers this as the path the earth is supposed to take, as if it has already been planned out by nature or other powerful forces. Trying not to bring religion into it, I am a firm believer that there has always been a plan for us and the environment and that is the track the world takes whether it is a consequence of our actions or because it is something we prompted to start earlier than it was already planned.

Also, I can understand the issue of food shortages and how the populations need to be managed, but especially in the US, this is something which we should not be able to dictate (Brown 24). Yes, there are people that have a surplus amount of children, but that is their decision and some do it for religious reasons. Along the lines of religion, I don't feel that you can tell someone to stop having kids, because if it does turn out that they are expecting, some religions forbid the ending of that life before it is born or even the idea of contraceptives. This is a sticky situation because as a free country, the government will be attacked for it's enforcement of something like limiting the population. All that I feel we can do is bring it to everyone's attention and let them make their decision on their own. (I'm saying this as an only child but who would want a sibling to fight with anyways? :P hehe)

http://www.paulchefurka.ca/Overpopulation.jpg

Topics that I was not aware of include a U.S. grassroots movement, the idea that some countries are altering their transport system for the environment, and that there is competition between farmers and cities over water supply (Brown, xii, 26, 42)! Perhaps these are topics that I will look into further because they were of interest to be upon reading!

Biodiversity and the Natural World

"Both [cultural and ecological diversity] have been threatened by the globalization and industrial culture based on reductionist knowledge, mechanistic technologies and the commodification of resources" (Shiva, 38). In the beginning of Shiva's passage, this line really stood out to me. Technology and industry is something that my generation is VERY dependent on, and continually tries to make advancements. Yes, I admit I'm an advocate for better technologies, but when you put the industry into an agricultural perspective, it is easy to be perceived differently. I do feel that there is a separation of beliefs from culture to religion; for instance, some religions are thought of to coexist with nature and to be in continuous harmony, while culturally, others look at agriculture and animals as a source of income and survival (Shiva, 40). I look at it as a source of survival, but I do not necessarily agree with all of the chemicals being injected into our foods as a way of enhancement.

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Along this, Shiva mentions that people of the Western World consider themselves higher on the biodiversity pyramid than any other organism, or microbe, which I do not agree with or see true. As we learned in class, the pyramid may fall into a peak, but that it usually based on population, and each level of the pyramid is dependent and depended on; we can't function without the right amount of everything above and below. I liked how Shiva put it that "microorganisms create the planet's living environment which supports life" (Shiva,43) and that we are in "co-operation, not competition" (Shiva, 44) .

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I also feel that I take an arithmetical approach with Shiva on analyzing biodiversity. With this, I enjoyed the statistics that Shiva included in this passage as it gives better examples and portrays his argument well. Similarly, Shiva also mentions Rachel Carson's piece,  Silent Spring, and having read a portion of this, I found it easier to understand Shiva's standpoint on nature. However, I was confused on Shiva's take on gene therapy and why it's a problem for society, as well as the problem with only offering three main types of apples (Shiva, 42 and 48). (being an avid apple eater I want to know if I should be expanding my horizons or be cautious of what I enjoy!)

Silent Spring

Rachel Carson elegantly puts into words the beauty of nature and our interactions with it in the first excerpt A Fable for Tomorrow. This appropriately titled passage warns the audience of what will come if society continues to line up its priorities elsewhere than that of nature.

Spring Flowers

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Carson recognizes that realigning our priorities will take some time, "time in not years, but in millenia", and that waiting is the only action we can take for the current time (Carson, 154). The main reason it will take time is because there are not enough people aware of the threat we are putting on ourselves with the exposure to dangerous chemicals (Carson, 160). I agree when Carson claims that we are a generation and community dominated by industry (Carson, 160). So while it comes across negatively that we have been able to build ourselves-literally- from the ground up and that our success is nothing to brag about, I believe that without this ascension in society, people would have that to complain about instead. Either way, someone is not going to be happy with how things are set.

All in time

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While I do agree with some of what Carson details, I find myself to mostly challenge her words. It almost seems contradictory to believe in some things and object to others that are along the same page. It was nicely put when Carson states, "This pollution is for the most part irrecoverable: the chain of evil it initiates not only in the world that must support life but in living tissues is for the most part irreversible" (Carson 153). Now it may sound like it's going in circles but with the harm that we are creating to, specifically, living tissue, we all know there is constant research on way to better ones' health. Yet, the way to do that is generally with more radiation and more chemicals on top of what already caused it, but I do feel that chemists are aware of the harm they are causing and will create ways to dispose or decompose the harmful ones that are already in place. From personal experience, while working in the Organic Chemistry Lab, there are specific instructions on how to dispose of wastes; harmful wastes go into separate containers from those that are less of a threat. Now what they do with it from there I have no idea, but I can confidently say there is no way it is being disposed of in a careless matter, for instance down "an endless stream", as Carson and some nature conservatives may believe (Carson, 155).

http://www.udel.edu/ehs/waste/waste-container.html

At first, I was confused as to what illness Carson kept speaking of. "In the town the doctors had become more and more puzzled by the new kinds of sickness appearing among their patients" (Carson, 151). Then as I read into The Obligation to Endure it began to fall together; Carson feels that all of the chemicals we are putting into the atmosphere is harming all of the environment, and the most drastic and dramatic effect will be when it starts becoming an epidemic and killing off humans.

One last bit of opinion. I also find it very circling how we walk through nature trails and can identify species that have been injected with herbicides to prohibit them from taking of other species, yet the same people say that there are too many chemicals harming the earth. Evidently, there is a fine line that is being tip-toed around.

Hmmmm

http://1389blog.com/2014/09/14/why-build-a-chemistry-laboratory-entirely-of-combustible-wood/

A Land Remembered

Keith Tiger is a supporting character in A Land Remembered.  He appears in the beginning of the book with fellow Indians and the McIvey clan befriends all of them. In return for their friendliness and hospitality, the Indians work wonders through the vast terrain and provide the family with just what they needed to get a jump start in the cattle industry. Keith Tiger also provides Tobias McIvey with great advice throughout the book, helping him become a very prosperous cattle driver. To me, Keith Tiger and his tribe are very powerful and important figures in the book. Even though they don’t appear too often, they act as omnipotent guardians to the McIvey gang.

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Having a relationship with the natural world is very important to Indians. We see this relationship as Keith Tiger informs Tobias McIvey that he must not rush his cattle through the prairie in order to get to a selling station quickly, but instead he must let them take their time and gain weight so they can be sold for much more. This is a key part in the story because when McIvey goes to sell his cattle, he gets a much larger profit. Also, it is apparent that Keith Tiger and his tribe are very knowledgeable of the lands of Florida as they travel about. When McIvey and his son go to visit the tribe, they are told that the tribe will know when they are there, because they have eyes in the trees.

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It is very apparent that Keith Tiger feels a sense of place when he is surrounded by nature. He is very experienced with his sense of place, and would feel ‘out of place’ anywhere else. His people look to him for advice and help, especially when they are in a time of need. This is because he knows of all of the trees, plants, bodies of water, and the terrain that surrounds them, and knows how to utilize it to their advantage. Although he is not the tribe’s medicine man, he is still takes a dominant role in ensuring the health of others, even Tobias. In leaving a legacy, I feel as though with everything Keith Tiger has taught Tobias McIvey, McIvey will pass on all of the great knowledge to those that come after him. Keith Tiger also has a big, forgiving heart, and I feel that because it is obvious, Tobias also picks up on this. When Keith Tiger’s grandson died, Tobias did seek revenge, but he did not kill them in return. He wanted to feel a bit of satisfaction and make Keith Tiger proud. Keith Tiger also forgives Zech for what he did to Tawanda. I do feel that Keith Tiger left behind a smart and loving legacy for those that were close to him.

http://www.natureartists.com/artists/artist_artwork.asp?ArtistID=22&ArtworkID=3840

I relate to this character because I, too, have a big heart and enjoy helping others. I’m a firm believer that if someone does something for you, you should return the favor. I also invite people into my life with open arms, the way Keith Tiger did to Tobias and his family. Although I do not have a strong affection for nature the way Keith Tiger does, I feel that I would if I grew up in the same environment and time period.

The Nature of the Everglades

Marjory Stoneman Douglas writes a beautiful passage on the Everglades in Nature of the Everglades. She details all of the little quirks that distinguish the Everglades from any other type of environment found in the US. It has made a name for itself so much that dictionaries tend to end their definitions of an everglade with a reference to the Florida Everglades (Douglas, 106).

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I enjoyed Douglas’ way of saying that the Everglades is something that is consistently changing even through its long existence, showing that this must be understood before one can take in all of its “wholeness” (Douglas, 107). She further goes on to say that there is a perfect balance with man and nature in this place (Douglas 107). To me, this is comforting to know that there are parts of the world that people are not trying to destroy, or are fighting tooth and nail to take over because it is blatantly known that this piece of land has helped give Florida its beautiful scenery.

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I will go on to say that Douglas did not try to exude her strong opinions onto us, as some other authors of passages that have been read previously. Therefore, it is hard for me to challenge her on any specific topic but I do feel that Douglas could have elaborated more on the subjects she mentioned. For instance, part IV details the relationship between life and the land in the everglades and discusses the smaller animals and insects that can be found in there. I wish she had elaborated more on the tree snails and the moths and butterflies, giving us an idea of maybe the benefit each one possesses to this land (Douglas, 141). We learned in class that every part of a nature pyramid is dependent on the things below it and the things above and below are impacted by their existence. So furthering the details on these pieces of life could have been more relatable to class, and given more insight on the functioning of life in the Florida Everglades.

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As far as a ‘muddiest point’ goes, I did not recognize that otters lived in the Everglades! As a Florida native, I feel this is something I should have known, but I am glad that Douglas was able to bring this to my attention (Douglas, 144). Also, Douglas mentioned the intensity of the hurricanes and how they affect the Everglades, but I wanted to learn more about it (Douglas, 119)! Maybe how the land anticipates a storm and how it recovers from the storm? I recognize that this is a passage written in 1988, but it would be neat to look into the damages of recent storms from the early 2000s.  

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A Land Ethic

Encouraging a community to be aware of the wondrous surroundings and inhabitants is the main idea I perceive from Leopold's excerpt, A Land Ethic. 

This passage begins with Leopold calling out his country for claiming to have a strong love for it's land, yet he recognizing all of the upkeep that everyone is lacking on. Stating that there are pollutants in the water, hazardous pesticides in the crops and soil, or that some of the beautiful animals of our land are being "extirpated" (Leopold, 60), Leopold's message started to hit home. When put into a perspective like this, it almost makes you feel as if you're telling a lie, whether that be to other community members or to yourself. That is probably the incentive Leopold is trying to make humanity recognize and become an active part in the land ethic. The land ethic would not give us all of this control over the environment, but would instead create us as equals with the environment.

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Further, Leopold speaks more on the lack of empathy we have for the environment, based mainly on how much land we choose to conserve (Leopold, 62).  From personal experience in the classroom, I have been made aware of the amount of land-just nearby my place of school-that is conserved strictly to regulate the watershed we get in a large part of Florida. I was shocked with how much land is reserved just for this as well as how much land our University saves for conservation on campus. One could argue that there is consistent development nearby as well, but I do feel that there is already a large amount of conservation land seen just in Southwest Florida. Leopold does recognize that this is progressing, but it is at a very slow rate and that this slow rate is due to the lack of education everyone receives about land conservation (Leopold, 62). At FGCU, we're lucky to be part of this small number that receives education, I will admit that. But as of right now, I do not feel that the amount of land we conserve needs to be rapidly progressing because at this point, it seems as if Leopold want the land to take over, even where we already live. He may want to see our construction and development torn down just so we can carry out the land ethic, but at this point I feel that would be extreme.

...to an extent

http://seenaturalresources.blogspot.com/2013_05_01_archive.html 

 

I find it funny that Leopold extends the reasoning of land ethic to the birds, motioning that they have a biotic right. This is his segway into saying that we, as a country and community, need to have land ethic, seeing as we do not have it yet (Leopod, 65). But he further speaks of the economic advantage we hold (Leopold, 65). I'm not too clear on what he means by economic advantage, but I can conclude that he means we are the dominant species that controls the rest of the environment. I could see this as true, but because we are doing all of this legwork for the environment, isn't that making the birds and plants and ecosystems dominate us?