Blog #4

Reading Summaries:

Selection 12:

This selection, based on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment focused on four major findings after an introduction, which stated that 60% of all ecosystems being examined were being degraded or used unsustainably. The first of the four components of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was that over the past 50 years, we have changed ecosystems way faster than any other period of time in our history. This is the result of the lack of resources needed for our growing population. One reason behind this could be the fact that in the last 30 years, more land has been transformed into cropland than in the time period of 1700-1850. Also the demand for water has increased, doubling the removal since 1960. The second finding was the changes that actually have progressed, show substantial net gains in human well-being and economic formation. In fact, the agricultural labour force accounts for 22% of the population. The third states that the degradation of ecosystems could worsen in our century and therefore stops the ability of the goals of Millennium Development. There are 4 major categories in this section: global orchestration, order from strength, adapting mosaic, and technogarden. Each of the categories take these 3 factors into account: hunger, child mortality, and disease. The final finding is idea of reversing degradation of ecosystems, but at the same time meet demands for these services. This concept involves changes to policies, institutions, and practices. There have been some positive outcomes- for example, the protected areas cover 11.7% of terrestrial surface. The five drivers of change are also stated: population change, change in economic activity, sociopolitical factors, cultural factors, and technological change. 

Selection 31:
This article discusses the connection of cancer and peoples exposure to the environment. The author states that the majority of cancer is not hereditary (only 15% of colon cancer is hereditary) but rather is 'sporatic' (85%). Sandra Steingraber explains how cancer has to do with the environmental carcinogens that we are exposed to such as pesticides and chemicals in cleaning agents. She actually says that environmentally causing cancers are a form of homocide. She raises a valid point that we should all take into consideration.
Selection 32:
This selection explains how disruptive synthetic chemicals have alterted hormones in both animals and humans. DES, a hormone drug, has been given to pregnant woman, as well as animals but we are seeing the effect on animals more rapidly as they mature quicker than humans. This author is stressing how, if disruptors threaten survival of animals, they threaten our human future as well. Because these hormones were being ignored while they were killing animals, the stage of warning signs is now over and we simply payed no attention to them which puts us in a negative state.
Selection 34:
This was an interesting reading about environmental discrimination to the poorer areas of the US. In 1979 in Houston, the very first lawsuit to challenge environmental discrimination took place as 80% of their garbage landfills were in the Black neighborhoods of Houston. Also, the United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice in 1987 was a movement that rose questions about discrimination in regards to pollution as 3/4 Black people lived in areas that had rejected toxic waste sites. This is seen as discrimination as it is against the US law to not give individuals equal rights. The author also states that everybody deserves to have the same protection, no matter where they live; everybody deserves to be guarded from pollution.
Selection 10:
This article discusses the green salt marshes that run along the Eastern Coast of North America. They are a beautiful part of nature that have a distinct smell and sound. There have been dangers that pose a threat to this area as pollution has become a major issue, in which humans are to blame. The authors then lists some preservation techniques that could help such as roads that can be built to preserve the area, but as they explain, the "battle between forces of development and conservation need to be won only once by developers but to be fought and won every year for conservation to succeed." Another interesting fact that the authors point out is that this area needs to be protected fully in order to have any real effect.


Activity:
I chose to view the Waterlife Documentary. I found it very impacting and wanted to share it with my friends and family because it triggered an important issue that I believe needs to be raised. The whole idea of the documentary was to capture the audience's attention by making it interactive (clicking on pictures to find out more information, having background music to stimulate people, and by having people talking made me pay attention to every word). The director did a great job at this. The documentary was spilt up into 21 different categories (such as shipping, wetlands, evaporating, healing, change, international...etc.) that each explained how water is effecting the Great Lakes, negatively and positively. There were many statistics such as the myth about bottled water and how it is just packaged tap water that has gone through a few filters, or that only 1/2 of the Great Lakes wetlands remain, or that zebra mussels have taken over the Great Lakes ecosystem within a span of a year, 1996 to 1997. Also, that 35 million people rely on the Great Lakes (30% are from Canada and 10% are from the US). I found this statistic very interesting because not only do we need to protect the Great Lakes because they are helpful to so many people, but that we actually depend on this water in Canada, and in order to keep it healthy and pure for the next generation, we must protect every aspect and area of the 5 Great Lakes immediately. After watching this detailed presentation, it made me think that we must start sustaining these lakes and maybe realizing what is happening is the first step.


Reflection:

A representation of Love Canal

I found all of the readings very intriguing as they were all discussing different environmental issues within the world today. The first reading (12), discussed 4 basic ideas that would help make our environment more sustainable, which made me appreciate and take time to reflect on our world. By just realizing the steps that can be made, is half the battle, in my opinion. The second reading (31) was quite alarming as it explained the awful effects that the environment can have on humans. On a more positive note, it helped raise awareness which I think is very important because again, people just need to be informed in order to start any kind of action. The third reading (32), in my opinion, was very informative about the detrimental effects of hormones on humans. I was not aware that if the animals are being threatened, then our future is definitely going to be at risk too. I found it very sad that this conclusion has been made and we must do something about it as soon as possible. The fourth reading, (34), reminded me of a vocabulary term: Environmental Justice: refers to inequitable environmental burdens borne by groups such as racial minorities, residents of economically disadvantaged areas, or residents of developing nations. I found this reading the most emotional. It is so unfortunate that our world is so corrupt as to actually put burdens on people who are less fortunate. This does not mean their rights are lower than anyone else, we all have the right to live in a protected area. This also reminded me of the story of Love Canal that we learned in class, which is quite disturbing and disappointing. The final reading (10), was quite heart-wrenching as well. I think society needs to realize that there are areas in the world that actually need to be protected, and not just talked about. I found it sad that it takes an environmental disaster, such as Japan for example, for people to realize the severity of these issues. We need to start protecting the environment, and we need to start now. The Waterlife Documentary that I viewed was also very impacting. I found the effects in the media that the director used to be very passionate to the subject of water as well. It reminded me of the vocabulary term: Affluenza: A painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more. 


Blog Reflection #1: Take some time to consider your core values and how you might live according to these values more fully.
My values are spending time with family, having a responsible environmental footprint, living life to the fullest, living for God, being productive with my time...etc. In a lot of my core values that I have reflected on, I realized that time is essential for every one of them. After hearing the guest speaker, Rob Altemeyer, and hearing him put stress on the factor of time, I realized that I need to cut out time in order to live my life according to these values! I need to realize what is important in life and actually do those things because I am responsible and in charge of every decision I make, whether it is watching TV, or going on a walk with a family member. I think the media has taken over many people's time, and when you think about it, time is a key factor, that no one is getting back. I need to prioritize my time and spend it more efficiently to meet my values.

Works Cited

Easton, Thomas. 2009. Environmental Studies. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies. 41, 42, 48-54, 157-164, 172-174 p. 

Muenchhausen. http://muenchhausen.blogspot.com/


CBC. 2010. Bottled water: How much do you drink? http://www.cbc.ca/news/pointofview/2010/05/bottled-water-how-much-do-you-drink.html


The Daily Green. Drink Safe Water. http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/breast-cancer-risk-factors/prevent-breast-cancer-drinking-water-47100103

Bottled Water: How much do you drink?





Sustainable Water Use Management

-M.C. 7663041