I gotta admit when I walked into class that day and heard we were going to talk about green careers and how they can help sustain life, my mind went "ugh."
We have been learning the entire semester about consuming, conserving and how it all affects the environment. This class session seemed a regurgitation of all these things. However, there were several things that Joe touched on that were very important.
I enjoyed Joe's opinion about the "silverback dominance" that is quite apparent in our society. Joe talked about how we should educate women more so that they can have a more influential hand in our world. I am not saying women haven't been influential, not at all. But if more women are better educated we could have a slower rise in population, we could have better decisions in our economic policies and we could even have women in higher levels of responsibility (maybe presidency?)
Think about it. This "silverback dominance" has made men the supposed rulers of this world. But really, are men the actual rulers? I now take a quote from the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, "Men are the heads, but women are the necks." The head could not survive without the neck. So now I ask you, Who are the real rulers of the world?
Joe made an interesting point about green careers, and that is how the career should contribute more than what it receives. If someone is to follow a green or sustainable career, they need to consider what that career will require but more importantly what it can contribute to our society, country or even the world.
Once we can consider these factors only then will we be able to take the first steps on the road to our careers.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Gary Liss: Zero Waste
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
This should become a mantra for this generation. If we can actually commit these acts on a regular basis the future will look much, much brighter.
I enjoyed what Gary Liss said about Nature being the model. The Earth has survived for many years before we came along and it didn't require anybody to clear it's forests or control it's wildlife. It survived through it's own natural processes. This is what we need to realize. People need to realize that the problems that are being caused in the world aren't because of a "warming phase" or that the earth is merely rotating closer to the sun (I've heard this excuse), we need to realize that WE ARE THE PROBLEM! But we can also be the solution. Humans are a part of the Earth, I am not disputing this. However, we need find a way to coexist naturally with the planet without poisoning the air, wasting resources, or endangering wildlife.
When Gary Liss talked about composting I remembered when my family once had a compost pile. I was a lot younger, around 9 years-old, and we had a giant monster of a pile behind our house. Every night once we finished dinner, it was my duty to take all the scraps (and anything else) out back and dump it on the pile. I completely despised doing this. I hated having to go out at night to pour what looked like garbage on a smelly pile. Eventually the pile faded away and I never had to do that again. But when Gary Liss talked about composting the entire magnitude of the discussion hit me. So when I got home, I convinced my parents to start another compost pile. We have been adding to it ever since.
ZERO WASTE OR DAM CLOSE!
This should become a mantra for this generation. If we can actually commit these acts on a regular basis the future will look much, much brighter.
I enjoyed what Gary Liss said about Nature being the model. The Earth has survived for many years before we came along and it didn't require anybody to clear it's forests or control it's wildlife. It survived through it's own natural processes. This is what we need to realize. People need to realize that the problems that are being caused in the world aren't because of a "warming phase" or that the earth is merely rotating closer to the sun (I've heard this excuse), we need to realize that WE ARE THE PROBLEM! But we can also be the solution. Humans are a part of the Earth, I am not disputing this. However, we need find a way to coexist naturally with the planet without poisoning the air, wasting resources, or endangering wildlife.
When Gary Liss talked about composting I remembered when my family once had a compost pile. I was a lot younger, around 9 years-old, and we had a giant monster of a pile behind our house. Every night once we finished dinner, it was my duty to take all the scraps (and anything else) out back and dump it on the pile. I completely despised doing this. I hated having to go out at night to pour what looked like garbage on a smelly pile. Eventually the pile faded away and I never had to do that again. But when Gary Liss talked about composting the entire magnitude of the discussion hit me. So when I got home, I convinced my parents to start another compost pile. We have been adding to it ever since.
ZERO WASTE OR DAM CLOSE!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Earth Day
Ok so, Earth Day, why do we have it? Why do we need it? Does anyone actually do anything special on that particular day?
Well probably not. Many people still drive to work or school and many people still pollute the air. However, many more people actually make a change (even if it's for 1 day) they carpool, pick up trash, or even buy locally grown produce. Now these acts may seem small in comparison to say stopping 1,000 cars from driving for a day, but consider if 100 people picked up a single piece of trash? Or if 100 people decided to ride a bike instead of drive a car? These small acts can add and help the earth (even if it's for 1 day).
Obviously Earth Day has been around for a while, and awareness of it is growing slowly. In an almost peculiar way many companies and industries are commercializing it. Of all the things to have commercialized Earth day is probably not the best. But hey if it can get people to buy that energy-saving light bulb or maybe not drive that much than I'm all for it.
Earth day at Sierra was actually very interesting. I tried several of the fried grasshoppers and I even took several UV rays. When I got home I had a nice sunburn over my face and arms.
Well probably not. Many people still drive to work or school and many people still pollute the air. However, many more people actually make a change (even if it's for 1 day) they carpool, pick up trash, or even buy locally grown produce. Now these acts may seem small in comparison to say stopping 1,000 cars from driving for a day, but consider if 100 people picked up a single piece of trash? Or if 100 people decided to ride a bike instead of drive a car? These small acts can add and help the earth (even if it's for 1 day).
Obviously Earth Day has been around for a while, and awareness of it is growing slowly. In an almost peculiar way many companies and industries are commercializing it. Of all the things to have commercialized Earth day is probably not the best. But hey if it can get people to buy that energy-saving light bulb or maybe not drive that much than I'm all for it.
Earth day at Sierra was actually very interesting. I tried several of the fried grasshoppers and I even took several UV rays. When I got home I had a nice sunburn over my face and arms.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Guest Speaker: Lynn Medeiros
Lynn Medeiros was a very interesting speaker. She was very energetic about her topic and you could observe that in her body language. I have always thought about fallacious reasoning; I understood what it was but I could never find a name for it.
As Lynn Medeiros began to talk about the different types of fallacious reasoning, such as "Appeal to Ignorance" and "Appeal to General Belief," I was surprised to see how many people in the world actually use these techniques. It was both funny and sort of sickening at the same time, because now I understood how many people of authority, such as politicians, governors, and even the (ex)-president use these argumentative techniques. I took the handout home and showed it to my dad. I almost thought he was going to have a heart attack. He was not mad at me he was mad because now he understood how many people, such as Rush Limbaugh, use these techniques to gain power and popularity.
However, as these things were going on I couldn't help but feel a little hypocritical. I admit that I have used some of these techniques in the past. Of course it wasn't so I could "rise to power" but nonetheless I've still used them.
Because of Lynn Medeiros' talk I am more aware of when people try to use fallacious reasoning, even myself.
It makes you wonder what the United States would be like if we didn't use fallacious reasoning.
As Lynn Medeiros began to talk about the different types of fallacious reasoning, such as "Appeal to Ignorance" and "Appeal to General Belief," I was surprised to see how many people in the world actually use these techniques. It was both funny and sort of sickening at the same time, because now I understood how many people of authority, such as politicians, governors, and even the (ex)-president use these argumentative techniques. I took the handout home and showed it to my dad. I almost thought he was going to have a heart attack. He was not mad at me he was mad because now he understood how many people, such as Rush Limbaugh, use these techniques to gain power and popularity.
However, as these things were going on I couldn't help but feel a little hypocritical. I admit that I have used some of these techniques in the past. Of course it wasn't so I could "rise to power" but nonetheless I've still used them.
Because of Lynn Medeiros' talk I am more aware of when people try to use fallacious reasoning, even myself.
It makes you wonder what the United States would be like if we didn't use fallacious reasoning.
Viewpoint of the Environment
I grew up with hippie parents. I know some people will ask "Well define a hippie," and in fact it's really quite simple. When my parents were younger they used to work in Eugene, Oregon as hoedads. Now a hoedad is a person who is hired by a park or wildlife organization and lives in a forest and basically plants saplings. My parents worked for a year and all they did was plant baby trees.
My parents continued working like this for several more years. When I came into the picture my parents were really interested in the outdoors. It seemed like almost every month we went camping somewhere. And it wasn't just around our home, we travelled all around California and visited many national parks and reserves.
When I was younger I actually hated camping. I did not enjoy leaving my home and going somewhere in the middle of nowhere to freeze. But as I grew older I really began to appreciate camping. I would look forward to our annual camping trips. Perhaps it was something new or perhaps it was the opportunity to go "off the grid" but either way I began to see the environment in a different way.
Because of how my parents raised me and the experiences I had, I am more aware of my impact on the environment. Now I'm not mister perfect, I drive a lot because of school. However, I do carpool a lot as well.
I am content with my viewpoint of the environment for now. However, I see my viewpoint changing in the future. I plan on travelling and seeing more of the world and perhaps that will influence my perceptions of the world.
My parents continued working like this for several more years. When I came into the picture my parents were really interested in the outdoors. It seemed like almost every month we went camping somewhere. And it wasn't just around our home, we travelled all around California and visited many national parks and reserves.
When I was younger I actually hated camping. I did not enjoy leaving my home and going somewhere in the middle of nowhere to freeze. But as I grew older I really began to appreciate camping. I would look forward to our annual camping trips. Perhaps it was something new or perhaps it was the opportunity to go "off the grid" but either way I began to see the environment in a different way.
Because of how my parents raised me and the experiences I had, I am more aware of my impact on the environment. Now I'm not mister perfect, I drive a lot because of school. However, I do carpool a lot as well.
I am content with my viewpoint of the environment for now. However, I see my viewpoint changing in the future. I plan on travelling and seeing more of the world and perhaps that will influence my perceptions of the world.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Toxins and You!
Before I start I would like to comment about human nature. Humans have a tendency to not do anything about something (namely toxins in the environment) until it threatens our lives. This can be seen with the toxins in our environment. We won't recognize or refuse to recognize the toxins until they are threatening our lives.
Now something should definitely be done about the mining wastes. The question is; How long can we let it go? Until the eco-system becomes sick? Until the animals slowly poison themselves and die? The answer is that the wastes need to be taken out, now. But how will we dispose of the waste? Put it in another landfill? We need to find a way to safely dispose of the waste or maybe find a way to convert it to another use.
Now toxins are constantly being added to our environment and also the world. The solution to this is the same as any other anti-global warming technique. Cut back on driving, green-living, etc. Or perhaps find less damaging ways to mine or acquire resources.
Now something should definitely be done about the mining wastes. The question is; How long can we let it go? Until the eco-system becomes sick? Until the animals slowly poison themselves and die? The answer is that the wastes need to be taken out, now. But how will we dispose of the waste? Put it in another landfill? We need to find a way to safely dispose of the waste or maybe find a way to convert it to another use.
Now toxins are constantly being added to our environment and also the world. The solution to this is the same as any other anti-global warming technique. Cut back on driving, green-living, etc. Or perhaps find less damaging ways to mine or acquire resources.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Guest Speaker # 2
Well this is the part where I would like to say what a wonderful speaker we had on thursday. How the speaker beautifully articulated their words. And how the speaker was very wise in their subject. I would love to say these things and much much more, however, I got snowed in on thursday. I didn't think It would be possible a second time, and yet when I awoke on thursday morning I discovered about two and a half feet had fallen that night. Of course I had about two feet of snow that had already fallen, so lets just say that it took me a while to shovel the snow...
Guest Speaker # 1: Gary Noy
Gary Noy was an informational speaker. And to be honest I didn't have much interest in his topic when he first started speaking. I've lived around the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range my entire life. I've hiked, camped, biked, swam, and even written several papers about this mountain range. So when Mr. Noy came into class I didn't think he could have much to entice me. However, I was wrong. The simple fact that the mountain range has about 3500 different species of plants was completely unknown to me. The information about how people would sell Sierra Nevada ice was also unknown to me.
One thing that really struck me as interesting was how the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range has influenced the rest of the world. The comment about how the Chinese would order ice from the Sierra Nevada Range really showed me how far the influence of the mountain range can reach.
One thing that really struck me as interesting was how the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range has influenced the rest of the world. The comment about how the Chinese would order ice from the Sierra Nevada Range really showed me how far the influence of the mountain range can reach.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Conservation of Species
I believe that in order to know what species need to be saved, we must first understand their place in the ecosystem. What I mean by this is that we need to know how the ecosystem will be affected if a certain species is no longer a part of it. The lack of a certain species can have a "domino affect" on an eco-system; in theory if a particular insect were to disappear another species (let's call them species A), that feeds on these insects is without a food source, species A would either die off or significantly be reduced in number. Perhaps another species (let's call them species B) feeds on species A, if species B is without a constant food source they in turn could also die off or be reduced in number.
This can seem very complicated; however it shows how important every species can be to a certain eco-system; from the lowly insects to the "dominant" humans.
Humans tend to save species that are "cute" or "adorable." We base our intentions off of the mere look of an animal. But who'd want to save a hairy tarantula? Or a slimy fish? What people don't seem to realize is that these "gross" insects and "dull" fish are important to the ecosystems that they reside in. So before we decide to save a certain species based only on their "cuteness" factor we should consider the affect of losing the other "less cute" species.
When it comes to balancing the needs of humans with that of animals, I only have one thing to say: We as human-beings need to realize that this world was not put here just for us. We are not here so we can drain this world of its resources and merely leave. We need to know that other organisms exist with us, and that they have just as any right to exist and thrive as we do.
This can seem very complicated; however it shows how important every species can be to a certain eco-system; from the lowly insects to the "dominant" humans.
Humans tend to save species that are "cute" or "adorable." We base our intentions off of the mere look of an animal. But who'd want to save a hairy tarantula? Or a slimy fish? What people don't seem to realize is that these "gross" insects and "dull" fish are important to the ecosystems that they reside in. So before we decide to save a certain species based only on their "cuteness" factor we should consider the affect of losing the other "less cute" species.
When it comes to balancing the needs of humans with that of animals, I only have one thing to say: We as human-beings need to realize that this world was not put here just for us. We are not here so we can drain this world of its resources and merely leave. We need to know that other organisms exist with us, and that they have just as any right to exist and thrive as we do.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Ecological Footprint
So if everyone lived my lifestyle, we would require 3.12 Earths to survive. When I see this I am very surprised, I mean my family and I make a conscience effort to lower our ecological footprint, whether it be driving less, recycling glass and plastic, and even buying recycled clothes. If my ecological footprint is a surprising 3.12 I can't even believe what the footprint for people who live in the bay or major cities is like. I guess my family and I haven't been trying hard enough to lower our footprint. Of course looking back on it the constant driving back and forth from school probably doesn't help, given that I live about a mile away from Alta (that's way up in the hills for those of you who don't know). However, several friends and I are moving into a house which is much, much closer to school. We will also be carpooling more often. This will take at least two cars off the road, it's not much but it's a start.
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