Blog #1

Reading Summaries:
Selection 42-Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed:
This reading, by Jared Diamond expresses the need for our society to change the way we are taking care of the environment because the history of it, is not good. He points out eight specific categories of past environmental problems: 

• Deforestation
• Soil Problems
• Water Management Problems
• Overhunting
• Introduced Species on native land
• Human Population growth
• Increased per capita impact of people

Now, these categories are quite common and today we have these 8 problems plus 4 more:

• Human-caused climate change
• Build-up of toxic chemicals in the environment
• Energy Shortages
• Full human utilization of the Earth's photosynthetic capacity

As you can see, if we continue to proceed at the same rate, even more problems will be added to the list. Diamond also states that there is a difference between today's problems and past problems because of the advancements in technology today.

Selection 38-Human Carrying Capacity:
This excerpt by Joel E. Cohen is a reflection on the world's actual carrying capacity, as a major problem. He uses Easter Island as a prime example as the whole island became isolated. There are many environmental issues on the island such as deforestation, famine, warfare, and population decline to mention a few that he stated. Cohen explains that there cannot be one specific number to place on human carrying capacity. Also, like the other 2 readings, this problem must be solved by voluntary human effort to change. Every individual will change their actions at unique paces. He makes it very clear that we must change the way we live, in order to make any changes to human carrying capacity. 
Selection 7-The Tragedy of the Commons: 
This essay, written by Garrett Hardin raises very important issues that not only affect the environment, but our society as well. Basically, Hardin explains that at the rate our world is going currently, a dramatic change in behaviour is required from the people of our society today. For example, the property rights that people are given often include streams or lakes within the property boundaries. As Hardin discusses, people do not take responsibility for polluting those streams and see it as their 'natural right'. There is something wrong with the mindset that our society has in regards to this and unfortunately a 'technical change' will not be sufficient. A technical change is a change that doesn't require human demands, but rather is natural as Hardin also explains.  
The following video from youtube demonstrates further information on Garrett Hardin's principles: 


Activity:
Movie: John Francis Walks the Earth

This video was John Francis explaining his experience of being silent for 17 years and not using motorized vehicles. He was inspired to do so after watching 2 oil barrels spilling into a lake early in his life. His story is quite inspiring because he actually physically did what he believed so strongly in. John Francis says that he began listening while being silent; something he had not done all his life. He learned that how we as individuals treat each other reflects how we treat the environment. It was at this point of realization that he decided to speak again because he wanted to share this with the world. Also, he realized that he needed to change the fact that he walked everywhere. Walking was comfortable for him, he did not know who he would be if he changed. This was his message to us as a society-that we have to actually 'get to the place to who we are becoming.' As he put it: "we have to change now."


Reflection:
I thought the video I viewed (John Francis Walks the Earth) was very inspiring. It inspired me to change some of my habits in hopes to become more environmentally friendly. I will not take it to the same extent as John Francis, but will definitely be conscious of what I am doing and not doing for the earth. He also stirred an important fact about how our relationship with each other reflects our relationship with society. I thought this was extremely true, as it is up to us to take care of the environment. I thought his story was amazing and I think more people, including me, should raise this awareness by simply recycling, limiting use of cars, or just appreciating the beauty of the Earth. 
The three readings assigned for this blog were all quite different, but I felt they had similar concepts as well. They all discussed how it is up to people to change when it comes to environmental concerns. Whether it be realizing the issue of human carrying capacity, making wise choices for the future of our environment, or actually changing our actions to better the environment. These readings have inspired me as well to change my behaviour, because the authors really emphasize the severity of the issues raised and discussed that I had not realized before. 


Blog Reflection #1: How well does the media do in each of the areas of critical thinking?
According to the CTV news (December 22, 2010), reports of lead in lululemon althetica's bags claiming have been discovered. The article does a good job of clarity, breadth, relevance and logic.  The criteria, precision, and accuracy has not quite been met. When I first saw this issue, I was not sure if it was accurate. In the article, there is no evidence that there actually is lead in the bags. Also, there is not a lot of detail included, which is very hard to follow. Lululemon did not want to share a lot of information about the bags as well. I think this article shows how the news often 'covers up' a lot of the details in stories not only to draw our attention but to make the story sound worse than it actually is. A lot of people would believe that article right away and stop buying Lululemon products, but I think our society needs to step back and really examine the issue before drawing conclusions.
The link to this article is: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20101222/lululemon-recall-101222/

Blog Reflection #2: Is there a danger to a growing disconnect from nature?
Yes, I think disconnecting from nature is very dangerous because we were created to be in nature. If our world does not take time to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, it will negatively effect us physically. We, as humans are drawn to nature because it brings a peace or relief of the business of life today. After thinking about this blog reflection question, it made me think that life is beyond the schooling, money, etc. that we have made priority in our lives. We must enjoy and connect with nature because it is who we are as humans. Because our society is so developed, there is no chance of disregarding the developed world but we can take steps to become more connected with nature-after all, its in our roots and is the most comfortable place for us to be in!

Works Cited

             The Canadian Press. Wired[Online] Avail from: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20101222/lululemon-recall-101222/ CTV News: Lead Concerns prompt recall of Lululemon bags. [2010, Dec 22]

            John Francis. Wired[Online] Avail from: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/john_francis_walks_the_earth.html TED: John Francis walks the Earth. [2008, Feb]

            Easton, T. 2009. Classic Edition Sources: Environmental Studies. Volume 3. New York: McGraw Hill Companies. [23-27, 193-196, 213-218]

-M.C.
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