Learning Experiences and Future Expectations Journal #7

Prior to taking the Colloquium course I really had no direction as to where my carbon footprint lay nor did I ever truly care enough to change how I live. I had always said; "We should start recycling" and yet, I was not proactive enough to get it started. I never really thought about the future and was never really told just how important it is that we understand what is going on and what is going to happen in the not-so-distant future. We live in a media fueled world and you are never supposed to believe what the media spills entirely. I am glad I got the opportunity to take this course because now I am much more aware of my surroundings, and how my personal lifestyle impacts the environment. Also, this course has made me into a more well-rounded adult which I value immensely. With that being said, I am not quite sure how this class will effect me academically. Maybe not using so much paper? Most of my assignments are online in a virtual, paperless world which already has saved countless trees and erased a bit of my carbon footprint on this Earth.

 I am going to school to be an Event Planner meaning, I am going to plan weddings and coordinate events. It would be kind of difficult to incorporate environmental sustainability into a wedding. Girls plan their weddings their entire lives and have every detail planned to the Tee, who am I to tell them they should be more ecologically responsible when it's their perfect day? I could always suggest candles instead of lights but that would be a huge change and something I cannot force upon someone. Instead of using a companies that provide plastic tents for receptions I could  search for a company that uses a cloth-like material. Also, with favors and programs we could use a recycled paper and get creative in that aspect but again, I will not have much say in that department.

I really enjoyed getting out into the heart of Fort Myers and doing that scavenger hunt! It was the best part of the class as I love a little bit of friendly competition. I had never really spent a lot of time in downtown so it was nice to get to see all the mom and pop stores all down the main streets. The only thing I found difficult is figuring out how I am going to incorporate this new-found knowledge into my profession, I guess that will just come with time and experience! Overall, this class was a great learning and growth opportunity.

Living in a Convenience Centered World Journal #6

If I had to choose a description that would perfectly sum up my generation it would be in an excerpt from Orr's article, The Earth Charter. This article not only depicts what is wrong with the way we  humans are living now, but also provides solutions and suggestions to how we can change. The quotation; "The choice is ours: form a global partnership to care for Earth and one another or risk the destruction of ourselves and the diversity of life. Fundamental changes are needed in our values, institutions, and ways of living. We must realize that when basic needs have been met, human development is primarily about being more, not having more." I could not have said it better myself. As I am getting older it has come to my attention that we are in dire need of a revolution, a tune-up if you will. Our society today is so concerned about a certain way of life that has been brought to normality over the years and that is- convenience. We would much rather drive our cars to work than take a bus or ride our bikes. I mean, it's Florida for Pete's sake, what would be the point of showering in the morning? I for one am one of those people who would prefer to drive to work with the convenience of  having my own vehicle. But that is exactly where the problem lies. We have all these ideas and yet, nobody is willing to enact them and get them going. 

In Orr's article, The Earth Charter, he provides several principles that we must live by if we desire change. They are as follows:

        1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity

        2. Care for the community of life with understanding, compassion, and love

        3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable, and peaceful

        4. Secure Earth's bounty and beauty for present  and future generations

All of these principles are extremely important factors in starting the process of change. However, change cannot come over night and I do not believe that number 3 is a make-or-break principle. It seems as though Orr was inserting a more political view than stating something that could help the environment. 

Although Orr's article was interesting, the Ecological Footprint assessment was beyond mind-blowing and peculiar at the same time. I also believe that this assessment could, in no way, be accurate. For example, I have no idea how many square feet my house is- I was 10 when we bought it. I have no idea what kind of energy-saving appliances we have in my home- I've never thought to look. My house was built in the late 70's and I don't think the environment was such a heavy burden as it is to our generation now.  That doesn't make me a Earth hater, my family simply does not find the need to move in order to be ecologically sound. Also, I guess I just don't understand how my food footprint is higher than the country's average; I am a vegetarian which is less detrimental to the environment.  As you stated- cows are the main reason for global warming and methane levels. If we consume less beef, there wouldn't be such a high demand for cows in general. 

Edison and Ford; The trendsetters of Fort Myers Journal #5

Thomas Edison is commonly known, and to many people, solely known for his work in electricity/ light bulbs. But to the people of Fort Myers, Florida, Thomas Edison and his wife Mina Edison were philanthropists, educators, and avid environmentalists.  Thomas Edison originally came to Fort Myers in search for bamboo as well as a summer home and fell in love with the 13 + acres of land right on the Caloosahatchee River known as "Seminole Lodge." At this summer home the Edison family would enjoy many of the recreational activities the Florida climate offered such as swimming in their very own swimming pool,  playing down by the river, and simply gathering on the wrap-around porch of their home. During his time in Fort Myers he decided to invite his best friend down to stay and eventually allowed a home to built on his property  for his best friend; Henry Ford.  Yes, the Henry Ford who built the Model-T.

It is said that Edison and Ford were the main reasons as to why Fort Myers became such a destination and why the city gained popularity. All around downtown Fort Myers there are dedications and buildings/businesses named after them. The most known, however, is the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. At the Edison & Ford Estates, which was donated by Mina for education of the public so that the public could see Edison's life-long work and mainly his laboratory.  At the Edison home, the public can tour the grounds and be enriched with the natural beauty and architecture Fort Myers has to offer and also offers a perfect place for weddings.

Considering I am going to school for Resort and Hospitality Management with a concentration in Event Planning, I intern at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates as a wedding coordinator. I see first hand the impact that Mr. Edison and Henry Ford had on not only SWFL but also the World as we people from all over. Thomas Edison was extremely interested in  the environment and liked to do experiments involving plants. If you have ever been to the Estates, you'll notice the huge Mysore Fig Tree located to the Caloosahatchee and also the Banyan Tree by the laboratory.

I thought it was incredibly interesting to watch the "Untold Stories of Fort Myers" videos and see/hear the different perspectives of people about the history of Fort Myers and how Edison & Ford impacted the city. It is also important to note that the townspeople did not want Edison to electrify the city due to fear of scaring the cattle. Let it be known that in the original home of Thomas Edison and on the porch, the ORIGINAL light bulbs are still intact and still work. It's amazing to think that so long ago they created such a durable and reliable appliance, but today in the 21st Century things break so easily.

Black Gold; What Makes The World Go 'Round #4

I guess I never truly realized just how important oil is and how reliant on it we are. I never really thought much of the rising gas prices, the numerous wars over it, and how many everyday products I use that contain oil. I never thought twice about oil until I saw the video shown in my Colloquium class on Monday March 19, 2012.


A Crude Awakening, a video that has eye-opening information and really makes the viewers think about the future, stated that we don't worship God or any other higher being, we worship oil. Come on, we have actually fought wars over this shiny, black substance. As we learned in the video, the black gold was a huge reason and basically the deciding factor in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Although this black gold is such a hot commodity, many people are speculating that the gold rush will come to an end and an impending oil crash will take place, putting the economy in a downward spiral (if that is at all possible). 


The 60 Minute video; Pro's and Cons of Shale Gas, shed light on the new technological advances and how drilling for Shale gas could be a useful alternative. One of the biggest issues highlighted in the video is the preciseness that is required in order to successfully drill for this gas and how human error is a common negative when it comes to this process. The most memorable "con" in the video is when this drilling company placed these huge structures on a couples plot of land and essentially ruining it's natural beauty. Now, instead of beholding the 10 acres of natural beauty, the couple beholds an eyesore that is slowly ruining their land. According to the couple, the structures were put together messily and have been leaking and oozing the substance for a good period of time.  This human error is contributing to the ever-growing dislike for oil drilling and does absolutely nothing for the name/idea of Shale gas.


The article; Squeezing More Oil from the Ground  really refers to the oil reserves, the amounts of oil being produced daily, and technological advances and the impact it has on us. 


As with anything in today's society, technology has a huge impact of almost all aspects of life and oil drilling is no different. In all three works stated above, technological advances have a huge prevalence which leads me to believe that things will eventually get better. One of the reoccurring technologies in the Squeezing More Oil from the Ground article is the steam injection ideology. This so called steam injection is among oldest of oil drilling technologies and is constantly reiterated and reinvented. Also, another technology stated in all three works is the idea of horizontal drilling, meaning; you go down two feet then start drilling horizontally. In order to accomplish this, we would need a technologically advanced drill bit capable of completing this task. 




 

Nature Goulet! Journal #3

Have you ever seen the "SNL; Best of Will Ferrell?" Well, in case you haven't, there's a segment within that compilation of funny skits that makes fun of the singer/Actor; Robert Goulet. Anyways, in that skit Will Ferrell has driven his red convertible up into the mountains where he comments on nature and how calming it is.

In Richard Louv's article; Nature-Deficit Disorder and the Restorative Environment, Louv discusses the correlation between several attention-deficit disorders and an environmental experience. The article opens up by discussing how the downsizing of hours students are allowed for recess or P.E has drastically affected our youth and can be linked to the diagnosis of ADD or ADHD.  The article also states that P.E. credits can be earned online, as shocking as it may seem, I opted to take P.E. online when I was in high school. I chose not to take P.E. at the school beacuse; 1) I didn't want to get all sweaty in the middle of the school day and 2) I was a woman scorned because apparently cheerleading wasn't a reputable sport and was not viable for being excused from P.E. like the dance team. Don't get me started on that though.Within Louv's article, a ton of references from other article's and expert opinions are inserted. One of the most shocking facts stated in the article was when Louv started talking about the drugs prescribed to calm those diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. Amphetamines and Methylphenidate are two of the most commonly prescribed drugs and according to Louv; are over prescribed by 10-40 percent. Mthylphenidate is similar to the drugs commonly known as Meth and Cocaine which raises the question; as a parent, how can you knowingly and willingly give your children Meth just to give you peace of mind? "The use of such stimulants in the United States increased 600 percent between 1990 and 1995." This quotation has been taken from Louv's article, and the gravity of that statement is huge. It's shocking, disgusting, and disconcerting. What are we doing as a society? How far have we fallen that we first took away recess and now are feeding children with energy cocaine?

As the article progresses, Louv poses the possibility that maybe this overactive child is just representing a valuable characteristic of 5,000 years ago. 5,000 years ago when hunting and gathering techniques were used, the overactive, and energetic little boy would have been valued due to valor. Now, it is frowned upon.  That being said, multiple studies have been executed, and have brought to focus the idea that nature can be a healing resource. All children need is a wide open pasture to run around and let their natural play ensue. It is upsetting to know that the amount of children diagnosed with ADHD will only increase due to the lack of outdoor adventures.

Today's children are stuck in a technology whirl pool. Xbox, playstation, and all the other gaming consuls have unfortunately taken over their imagination and desire to get outdoors and play. I know that when I was a kid, I was never indoors. I was climbing trees, riding bikes until the street lights came on. I know most of my generation feels the same way as well, and that's where there is hope. I hope that we can turn things around, those who are in their early 20's will have the task of throwing technology out the window until their children are old enough to be able to distinguish reality from fantasy.

Bradentucky Journal #2

My current "sense of place" is in Bradenton, commonly known as Bradentucky. They say that a sense of place can be described as a certain feeling you get that heavily relies on the physical environment as well as the people in that certain location. Well, I'm not physically in Bradenton right now, but my heart is there. Bradenton is where I grew up and where my baby is. (My 4 year old miniature schnauzer; Kami). How can I have a sense of place when my current location doesn't make any connections with me? Yeah my boyfriend is here, but Kami is my daughter. My sense of place when I'm there can be described as feeling free and comforted. The physical environment couldn't be better either; the smell of the ocean takes me back to when I was 16 and first started driving. Being in Bradenton takes me back to when I was still with my parents all the time and never really worried about being on my own or having to worry about bills. Bradenton is a great escape, but then I have to go back to reality sooner or later. As I sit here in my room, my sense of place is calming. I'm at peace with where I'm at in my life at the moment and I'm content with where I'm going.

Sense of place can be related to an outdoor education experience in the sense that when you're outdoors learning about the history of that place and all the people that have come before you and have stood in the very same spot, it makes you feel like there is so much more to life than has been discovered. In that moment of time, you're sense of place is insightful and peaceful.

Biodiversity and it's importance according to Vandana Shiva Journal #1

In Vandana Shiva's article, "What is Biodiversity and Why is it so Important?  Which is featured in the book; University Colloquium: A Sustainable Future,  gave the readers a bit of background information about biodiversity and also provided some insight to what it might/should mean to us as human beings, the top of the food chain, the main assailants of the world today. According to Shiva, human beings are responsible for the alterations made to certain species as well as the deterioration of this planet. Shiva states that we are trying to control things that nature normal takes care of and we are interjecting in that cycle and thus, messing everything up. I personally agree with her, it makes me incredibly irritated when people create a disturbance  in the natural cycle and then complain about it's outcome. This has nothing to do with biodiversity but it does, however, have a lot to do with sustainability; it is our duty as human beings to preserve nature and instead, we are tearing down habitats left and right. When we tear down the habitats that house many and most of the animals, where do we expect them to go? They wander into our neighborhoods in search for food and then we complain and order a death warrant. It's our fault in the first place and I think that's exactly what is wrong with society today; we don't take any responsibility for our actions and don't think of the repercussions. Shiva, I'm sure, feels similar as she states that there are an estimated 3.6-100 million species in the world and humans are only ONE of those species and we must remember that. Just because we are on the top of the food chain does not mean we need to ruin everything below us. Biodiversity is extremely important because it heightens productivity and all species have an important role in the ecosystem. Shiva explains the connection between biological and cultural biodiversity, how they are both intertwined and when one is affected, the other suffers as well.

In Jane Goodall's article, "Hope for Animals and Their World" Jane Goodall warns us of the impending extinction of certain animals and how humans have had a grave influence on the animals and their world. Also, in the article, Jane Goodall offers an idea of how we can turn things around.