My ecological footprint

         After doing the ecological footprint quiz on earthday.net I found out that to sustain my life that I am living it would take 4 Earths.  That is a ton!  When you think about it if everyone were to live this way that is when we tend to have a problem.  This is when I realized something needs to be done.  When reviewing my results I realized most of my problem was transportation which Is why i thought it would be interesting to do my second paper on sustainable transport.  I live two hours away in Miami and drive home almost every weekend, which is honestly unrealistic.  I also take many plane rides as my family is big on travel.  I believe I produce less trash than most people in the world and I live in an apartment with four other roomates and we try to consume as less energy as possible.  I also recycle and try do as much as I can to cut back on my transport such as car pooling or using public transportation whenever possible.  This quiz was important to take and I think it made a lot of my classmates recognize what they need to do in order to cut back and make a difference.  This put into perspective just how much nature my lifestyle requires.  it also shows just how selfish many of us are and how under informed and nonchalant we are about the fact that we are together depleting Earths resources.  Humanity needs what the nature provides  however just how much of that nature do we  have to use to sustain the lives each of us are living.  So have you ever thought about, whats your ecological footprint? http://www.earthday.org/footprint-calculator?gclid=CJK93uennbMCFRRynAoddQ8AOw take the quiz here and see how much demand you place on the Earths ecosystem. 

Sustainability

       The idea of sustainability is one that is scattered throughout the course, and all topics presented in class and in the text all relate and integrate into this topic.  Sustainability is based on the principle that everything we need for our survival and well being depends either directly or indirectly on our natural enviornment.  It deals with the conditions in which humans and nature can exist in harmony and present hope for future generations.  The need for a more sustainable enviornment is urgent.  It takes the effort of many people for our world to be in a better predicament.  With the drastic climate change, and changes in the economy every aspect of what we do needs to be transferred to a more sustainable way.  The topic that I did my second paper on was the idea of sustainable transport. This is a big deal in that if we keep up the way we are now, eventually we will deplete the enviornment of all its resources and human kind will lead to the downfall of Earth.  Transportation has many effects on not only the enviornment but the economy and the people. 

Campus Trail and Field trip

         On a rainy yet hot and muggy day we had a mini class exploration to the campus trail.  Although I am not a huge fan of hiking and being in the woods, it was interesting; at least for half of it.  I enjoy the peacefullness that nature brings and the serenity however sometimes that can be disrupted.  Halfway through the trail was a muddy mess.  I wore rainboots and even those had water overflowing into them causing my feet and pants to get soaked.  It wasnt that bad however lightening started in the distance which had me a little nervous, I dont like to get in the way of mother nature.  On the trail mostly what we saw were different species of plants and one main one pointed out was the "leaves of three let it be" (poison ivy) which actually I had never encountered before.  The other interesting thing on the campus trail was the hardwood hammock.  This was the most interesting part of the trail although we saw it towards the end of class so everyone was eager to leave therefore it was only briefly touched on. I ended up going back to the hardwood hammock so see for myself.  I brought homework out there and just decided to enjoy the breeze and see what nature really did have to offer.  I noticed a sense of peace in which allowed me to sit with my own thoughts and reflect.  Overall I thought the the trail walk was necessary.  Going to a University that is huge on sustainability and has so much to offer it would be crazy to graduate from Florida Gulf Coast without experiencing all it has to offer and to educate myself on how I could better the world. 
          The next class we took a field trip to Fort Myers beach to visit the cottage and learn about matanzas pass.  I thought this field trip was very interesting and the lecture before hand about the history of the cottage with intriguing.  The walk down the boardwalk was one that I had never experienced.  Walking through what we mostly talked about was the mangroves that took over each side of the boardwalk as we walked towards the overlook to see the water.  This was beautiful and enlightening.  We also took a walk down to the beach in order to show us both sides.  The beach is something that I am very familiar with growing up in south Florida and therefore is always a good time. 

Degrowth

Degrowth is the intentional contraction of overly inflated economies.  It can be achieved many ways in which include discouraging overconsumption, raising taxes, shortening work hours and informalizing certain parts of the economy.  This high level of economic consumption is putting unbearable strain on the Earths ecosystems which we need to live.  The main way to achieve degrowth is by reducing the overall consumption.  Everyone needs to take it upon themselves to lower their own ecological footprint.  change takes the effort of many not just one person.  Why is it that some people feel they can sit back and ride on the coat tails of the others doing all the work to sustain our enviornment?  It takes a great amount of education and awareness in order to implement change.  We need to increase human well-being and enhance ecological conditions.  I think this course is very good at integrating a lot of different topics and ideas into one large category of sustainability which is needed in order for this planet to have a future.  It all goes back to the idea of making resources available in order to lessn the likelihood of enviornmental collapse. 

Green Economy

         The green economy promotes growth that can improve the lives of people economically, environmentally and socially.  It is an economy that is concerned with being environmentally sustainable, socially just and locally rooted.  Environmentally sustainable in which we create a economic system that resects the ecosystem since we depend on the Earths natural resources.  Every person on earth depends on healthy ecosystems to sustain their lives.  Socially just that ensures all people have a decent standard of living.  Locally rooted based on meeting the needs of citizens in individual communities.  

         A green economy improves growth in income and employment by investments that reduce carbon emissions, pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency and prevent loss of biodiversity.  The green economy is a new vision that allows for creative solutions to multiple problems that the world faces by linking people and the planet.  

         We are in a time where environmental degradation is a major concern and causing economic problems.  The idea of a green economy has give us the opportunity to create green jobs which allow for increase in economics with environmental protection.  The green economy invests, protects and restores our ecosystems and biodiversity in order to secure their services for the people of today and the future.  The idea of a green economy effects economics in the fact that it will drive investments towards restoring the environment to allow for better quality of life.  

         I believe that a green economy will eventually take over and will provide massive growth by stimulating economic progress, increasing jobs and at the same time reducing global threats.  However I do believe that at the moment there is a lack of awareness and understanding.  In order to avoid collapse of our world it is important to wean the economy off its current practice and try something new.  

Corkscrew swamp sanctuary

We took a field trip to the Corkscrew swamp sanctuary which was actually really interesting.  While walking on the boardwalk we saw different habitats which I thought was really cool and our guide did an excellent job of explaining things along the way.  One of the most interesting things was seen right on our way, something called the living machine.  After everyone used the restroom we were taught how that system actually works and I think the process is really neat how it mimics nature and its natural water restoration rather than artificial water treatment.  Another really interesting thing I thought was how the sanctuary does its own controlled fires in some of the habitats to mimic nature with less intensity.  The wildlife seen depends on time of year, weather and time of day and also the amount of time you have to visit the sanctuary however we did see plenty of birds and insects and even an alligator of fairly decent size.

 I thought this was one of the most interesting photos and sites as it shows all 3 habitats seen on the tour where they merge.  

This was the one alligator that was seen on the trip and it was very exciting since it was big and we were able to see it in its natural habitat.

The 11th Hour

This film basically discusses the main topic of global Warming much like an Inconvenient Truth as well as  other problems facing are planet.  Many people overlook all the devastating problems that are facing our planet.  I am one to blame as well for being somewhat selfish and worrying about myself, my life and current situation instead of future generations.   After watching the film, since it focuses on how humans are contributing to the destruction of earth and its natural resources, I think it is extremely important to become aware and conscious of nature and how to preserve it.  In all films relating to this topic it shares suggestions and solutions on how to repair the damaged planet and changing our ways. I believe these suggestions should be taken into consideration and utilized. I think it is important to help save the world and do things that are environmentally friendly for our own sake.  It is important to me to take part in these things because I feel that although others may not partake, which has contributed to the planets decline, I am doing everything possible to make a difference and perhaps one day we will see the effects of our efforts.  The film has a strong message and definitely deserves to be heard.   

An Inconvenient Truth

I think overall the film, An Inconvenient Truth was good.  It’s a very good educational film and the topic discussed in the film is imperative.  However, I didn’t like the way it was organized and presented which was sort of in lecture form as it presents Al Gores speeches made around the world. 

In an inconvenient truth Former vice president AL Gore voices concerns on the very controversial issue of global warming.  The documentary focuses on the changes that can be made worldwide to help alleviate the crisis.  The film focuses on true facts about the disaster, consequences and its effects on the environment.  As we all know global warming is a very debated subject and is something that is sometimes overlooked.  This film helps put things into perspective and shares how individual efforts can help protect Earth and its future generations.  I think it is important for everyone to see this film.  I remember watching this film a while back and many people thought it was done for as a political issue.  However, it brings up good points and dispels myths associated with global warming. 

The film definitely wastes no time in eliciting fear as this climate threatens life as we may know it.  In my opinion global warming is a major disaster that everyone should be aware of.  If it continues on the path it is now and current rate there will be frequency in harmful weather condition, kill off glaciers, dry up lands, and kill off many species.  Even after watching this however, I am still skeptical about the topic.  I do believe that it can surely lead to life changing events however I still believe that the planet goes through cycles of cooling and warming and if global warming were to occur the damage is already too far done.