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.