Earth Charter

Kamilah Van

Professor Brenda Thomas

IDS 3920 CRN 10140

Journal Entry Earth Charter

Photo Credit: http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/content/content_images/14/ECH%20Initiative.jpg

 

The Earth Charter is a document that stands and supports the future of the Earth. Its intent is to establish a set of guidelines that humanity can follow in order to protect the resources we have in order to have a prosperous future. This document serves as a guide for all of use to live sustainable lives for the good of the home we all share. "Humanity is part of a vast evolving universe. Earth, our home, is alive with a unique community of life." As repeated in class constantly we all have a role in the protection of Earth. It is not only expected but it is encouraged through the text, trips and class discussions we have constantly. What I like about the document is that it is broken down into four sections that attempt to tackle and address some of the problems we are dealing with currently. Hopefully this document can have the power to be adopted by all and given as much value as we could our constitution and other documents for global good.

Photo Credit: http://earthcharterus.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MP900430642.jpg

 

The following statement is towards the opening of the document: "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". This statement offers to set the tone of the document and leads to the many important parts that will take place. The document is broken down into four sections: Respect and Care for the Community of Life, Ecological Integrity, Social and Economic Justice, and Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace. These sections host many other subjects that will help with the point of the document. I feel that by reading this it puts into the perspective the responsibilities that we all have for the Earth. At this point in my college experience a vast majority of what I have learned about the environment has been taught to me in various courses. It is important to expand my knowledge and actually want to apply these concepts after I graduate. The time has come for sustainable living to become something that is seriously done in every area of human existence. It's time that people take more responsibility and put more emphasis on the issues. I feel that once a document like this can be genuinely adopted then progress can begin.

Photo Credit: http://ecyg.wikispaces.com/file/view/Word%20Cloud%20-%20ECYG.png/414543670/566x501/Word%20Cloud%20-%20ECYG.png

I liked reading the document because it broke down how we can make an effort to fix some of the problems going on. Since the issues host a wide variety of subjects there is something that all areas of authority can find significant. "In order to build a sustainable global community, the nations of the world must renew their commitment to the United Nations, fulfill their obligations under existing international agreements, and support the implementation of Earth Charter principles with an international legally binding instrument on environment and development". In an effort to continue to educate people about documents like this it is important that education continues. Apart from this class I'm not sure that I would have known that a document like this existed. One thing I can say is that FGCU is making an effort to make sure that when students leave this institution they have a better understanding and relationship to the issues at hand. Here is the link to the Earth Charter Document: http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/content/pages/Read-the-Charter.html

Journal Entry: Orr

Kamilah Van
IDS 3920 CRN 10140
Professor Brenda Thomas

Exerpt from Earth in Mind: On Education Environment, and the Human Prospect

Love it or Lose it: The Coming Biophili Revolution

David W. Orr

To have a desire to live a sustainable life can be an asset and a liability. Through the text it develops the idea that being living sustainably is cause for debate. How can one make better effort to embrace a lifestyle that will support our future? Whenever you hold influence over someone or something honestly live your life and strive to be an example every day. But do not worry wherever you fall short reach out to someone who can lift you up not knock you down. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we practice sustainability on a daily basis? The possibilities are endless! From the perspective of the author biophilia was discussed and various examples of its existence were given. "The affinity for life or biophilia competes with other drives and affinities, including biophobia disguised beneath the abstractions and presumptions of progress found in economics, management, and technology" (Orr).

Photo Credit: https://www.gupmagazine.com/system/assets/5775/ultra_large/BIOPHILIA_Vernaschi%20(15).jpg?1337770446

What drives people to establish their relationship with the environment? One can guess a sense of place or some sort of connection comes into play. It is hard to do the right thing in a world where doing wrong has become a norm, and even harder when you are used to the current state of the social norms. I chose to inspire and be inspired by others. Life is a journey and you will not always have the answers to the trials and tribulations. By being at FGCU I am taught to value living sustainably and strive for something greater. Also to question what the norms are and speak on my opinion about the sustainability of my environment. "It is necessary to undermine community, and with it resistance to crossing the divide" (Orr).

Photo Credit: http://alisonleighlilly.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/shelley-world-single1-500x342-300x205.jpg

Even though there are a million people doing the wrong thing you can be the one who chooses to do Right for the good of the Earth and yourself. You do not have to always strive for a reward but it is nice to know that other may see your good deeds and look past your exterior to see that everyone is responsible for their part in this ecological crisis. "we are now engaged in a great global debate about what it means to live "sustainably" on earth" (Orr).



Field Trip Reflection

Field Trip Reflection

Kamilah Van

The field trip to downtown Fort Myers connected with my sense of place. I determine my sense of place to embody the elements of a city environment. By our field trip to downtown Fort Myers I was able to learn more history about the city and visualize the advances it has made over the years.

From the field trip I learned for the first time about the military history that the city holds. There were many monuments that honored veterans and specific military officials that are significant to that area. I also learned about Ford, Firestone, and Edison and the part they played on the area.  

 

Photo Credit: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lLB-bMQt4-EO7FB2yBElqTBpOEhqCGmoVnJjU_lApcbQqtY6wBJxnFAJnH-YU2jZW9uO5N8XXNSBemYcUB20o7_OnTIA56kYBORx7yE8Yy3hHxWHjsqRP9un_H2LQ48KsWVI_r0hH0s/s1600/IMG_2579.JPG

Going on the field trip impacted me for both the present and the future because it allowed me to see that there is success in progress. The city of Fort Myers has come a long way since it's initial founding and I am confident that this city still pays admiration to it's roots. I like how the area was still able to incorporate the military history and the relationship with the environment.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.artswfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/102.jpg

The experience of the field trip connects to the readings and discussion from class because it puts a visual to the concepts we discuss. One of the points we covered in class was urban sprawl and how communities grow and develop and how they affect the environment. It's important to understand how development can change an area. It is especially important for Fort Myers because a majority of the area was marsh environment before the water was drained and plans were made to create neighborhoods.

Journal Entry: Goodall

Kamilah Van

Professor Brenda Thomas

IDS 3920 CRN 10140

Journal Entry: Goodall

Excerpt from Hope for Animals and Their World

Healing Earth’s Scars: It’s Never Too Late

Jane Goodall, Gail Hudson, and Thane Maynard

Through shared stories about species and their importance to the environment this narrative was able to provide a closer look in regards to endangered species. “My four reasons for hope, about which I have written and spoken extensively, are simple- naive perhaps, but they work for me: our quite extraordinary intellect, the resilience of nature, the energy and commitment of informed young people who are empowered to act, and commitment of informed young people who are empowered to act, and the indomitable human spirit” (Goodall). The efforts done to limit and ultimately eliminate the rate at which animals are on the verge of extinction allow a clearer understanding of the tasks that people are taking on throughout the world. As a closer look is taken as to why endangered species are becoming more of a norm one can find that the collaborative efforts of others are allowing such animals to have a safe environment to get out of their current status. Through the many examples the passion of the author about this cause is apparent. Something to be noted is that it takes man efforts, laws, and funding to help establish safer environments for the animals to live in and flourish.

Collaboration picture of engangered species.

Photo Credit: http://jade4402.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/Endangered-species-1txn6nv.jpg

 

What I was enlightening about this reading were the countless examples of efforts being done around the world to help rehabilitate areas that were diminishing which ultimately affected the animals that inhabited that area.  By taking a closer look at places like Kenya, Utah, and Ontario I was provided with a better understanding of the hard work that goes into making sure that the animals in question are provided with quality living conditions to help elongate their lives. “The pollution of our streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans is one of the more shocking results of the use of chemicals and other damaging agents in agriculture, industry, household products, golf courses, and gardens, since much of this poison is washed into the water” (Goodall). Through the various examples it provided me with a better visual of the situation. Also, I was apparent that with the collaboration of others who care about the issue matters could be taken to ensure that endangered species are eliminated by providing more concern for the needs of such animals. With each project completed more opportunities are available to diminish the terrifying rates of animal extinction.

Logo for the Jane Goodall Institute.

Photo Credit: http://www.janegoodall.org/

 

Apart from endangered species this reading talked about a variety of other world issues such as water pollution, relief efforts, and education. What is good about this part of the text is that it didn’t just focus on one type of issue. By branching out to these other topics it provided a better understanding of the surrounding area. “All around the world, it has been shown that as women’s education improves, family size tends to drop- and after all, it was the growth of the population in the area that first led to the grim conditions TACARE was trying to address” (Goodall). With a better understanding of the issues at hand the public can be better aware of what’s going on. For those interested in helping this provides a larger platform for them to determine the areas that need help. By collaborating with efforts like JGI and TACARE it can help improve the lives of people in poor communities.  

Excerpt from Hope for Animals and Their World

Why Save Endangered Species?

Jane Goodall, Gail Hudson, and Thane Maynard

It’s important to have concern for endangered animals because they are a part of the land. With the collaborative effort of what all animals and plants provide to the Earth we all have an important role. Through this text more efforts and explanations where made about the importance for saving animals that can’t save themselves. This reading is more persuasive than the last but is still rooted in examples and key findings that assist in this cause.  “It is indeed true that the expense of saving an endangered species can be exorbitant, so it is fortunate that in many countries there are laws protecting life-forms threatened with extinction” (Goodall). With hundreds of species going into extinction without human concern it is important that closer attention is paid to such animals in an effort to offer relief. As more research is produced about this topic it is interesting to see the continuous efforts that are being implemented over time.

Baby Red Wolfs.

Photo Credit: http://www.fws.gov/redwolf/

Throughout the reading the importance is stressed about why we need nature in our lives. For me this reminds me of the sense of place discussions that is incorporated in our coursework and class discussions. I wonder from this reading how much sense of place factors how an individual feels about such issues as endangered species. “If we allow extinctions to happen through ignorance or greed, then with the loss of each endangered species and unique population, our world becomes less diverse and strikingly less beautiful and mysterious” (Goodall). I believe that we should all hold each other accountable for the efforts that we take place in because it could be the issues behind why animals are falling into extinction. If our society held more concern about the importance of endangered species I believe it would improve how we feel about the topic ad promote change.  

 

Home page of World Wild Life. Featuring Top 5 Species Adoptions.

Photo Credit: http://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/default.aspx?sc=AWY1200WCGA4&searchen=google&gclid=CLGbl4-mvb0CFfNxOgodUzAAPg

One thing about this reading is that it leans on hope as a needed factor to promote change. Educating people can be one of the key components to getting more support on the issue. Protecting the Earth is a major concern and as a society we need to learn how to get around barriers like government neglect and the values placed on these issues. “To save planet Earth, each of us who cares must become involved in protecting and restoring the wild places and the animals and plants that live there (Goodall).  With everyone playing their role in the design of our society I think sometimes it takes people being able to see that their actions to make a difference. With collaborative efforts from concerned individuals and nonprofit organization many efforts can be made.  

*There were two readings written by Goodall so I wrote about both.

Journal Entry: Carson

Kamilah Van

Rachel Carson Journal Entry

Professor Brenda Thomas

March 24, 2014

Through this week's reading I liked the style of "A Fable for Tomorrow". This brief story took the time to explain a small prosperous town. There once was a town in the heart of American where all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings"(Carson). This reading was unlike any we have read so far and what I admired about it the most is that it was relate able to similar towns that we have in America. Though the text does no give an exact description of where the town is located I can tell that it was a town that was heavily dependent on agriculture and livestock. Tragedy struck the town when all of its prosperity was stripped away. Through this text described a story of a little town I can relate the situation to how many places has suffered the same fate due to illness or unforeseen weather condition altering the state of an environment. "A grim specter has crept upon us almost unnoticed, and this imagined tragedy may easily become a stark reality we shall know" (Carson). Though I am no sure of the purpose of this ready because it was so short I think it was a better read and a good way to transition into the next story written by the Carson.

In "The Obligation to Endure" it spans out and provides a more in-depth thought on the contamination of the environment. “This is an era of specialists, each of whom sees his own problem and is unaware of or intolerant of the larger frame into which ti fits" (Carson). What really stood out to me was how the author discussed past and present ways that have influenced the way our environment is constructed now.

Photo Credit: http://www.griffith.edu.au/__data/assets/image/0009/361188/environment-quarantine-320x213px.jpg

This reading talks about the effects of DDT which stood out to me since it was discussed on a past fieldtrip to CREW. Also, I have a friend who is majoring in environmental studies and some of the topics in this ready were similar to conversations we have had on different elements of the environment. "Quarantine and massive chemical campaigns are only extremely expensive ways of buying time" (Carson). Towards the end of the reading I wish there was a better job of describing ways in which more things could be done to take care of this issue. I believe the best way to get people to support this issue is to better educate them and offer not only the problem but an obtainable solution. Hopefully I will be able to get more insight on this topic in our class discussions but overall it was an interesting and informative reading.

Jounal Entry: Shiva

Kamilah Van
March 17, 2014
Professor Brenda Thomas
Journal Entry: Vandana Shiva

"Biodiversity means the diversity of life- the rich diversity of life forms on our beautiful planet" (Shiva). No matter how hard we try we can never escape the presence of biodiversity. As our world continues to make advancements we convince ourselves that the ways of the past and the progress of the future cannot work together to further the common good of all. But the truth is wherever we go and whatever we do biodiversity influences the makings of who we are as individuals. "The destruction of biodiversity translates into the destruction of the diversity of the livelihoods of large majority of the Third World people who make their living as farmers, fishermen, craftspeople, and healers" (Shiva).Different approaches to scientific knowledge arise problems that can be solved if the right balance is set into play. It is important to know what we have done before we make further efforts to allow biodiversity to benefit humanity. Still it is important to allow biodiversity to be in balance in order to maintain a harmony. Scientists continue to make advances and as more effort is placed on the importance of biodiversity and it's benefits I believe it will help educate those that it benefits more and more each day. The greatest thing about moving forward in the future is that more of the problems are being solved and that brings us all closer to allow something new to form. "Biodiversity has rescued our food security from the risks of genetic uniformity" (Shiva). With these advances greater things are to come. The connection about a past is that we can let it have as much hold on our future as we allow it. Further access to better technology will hopefully open new avenues for biodiversity to flourish.

 

Plan B

Digital Design by: Kamilah Van

Are you Taking Care of Things?

au·thor·i·ty
1.      the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.

As humans it seems that we have absolute authority and control over all of the Earth's creations. We can choose the impact we make. If other elements reign over us it can be hard to get things done and the needs of the greater good can be ignored. "It looks now as though food is the weak link, just as it was for many earlier civilizations"(Brown). Instead of going against the environment and the benefits it holds we can all work together to benefit everyone's basic needs. Those with a loving authority and awareness of the environment are proof of this. "As the world struggles to feed all its people, farmers are facing several trying trends" (Brown). It's a tragedy to see that people go without when something could be done to change this reality.

ex·pec·ta·tion

1. the act or the state of expecting: to wait in expectation.

It is amazing how we give people the responsibility over the environment and creatures that inhabit Earth. We are expected to take responsibility for the environment and the other creatures that share our planet. So I ask this, what have you done in your life to reach environment expectations? We could all use the selflessness of people who wish to protect resources and restore certain areas.  In order to provide a better future an example for living our own life with respect to the environment can inspire others.

A Land Remembered

Kamilah Van
IDS 3920 CRN 10140
Professor Brenda Thomas
Journal Entry A Land Remembered: Solomon MacIvey

Solomon MacIvey is the first character that comes to mind. He is a part of a wealthy family that became very prominent in the land. Through the use of the Florida resources his family was able to create a legacy for themselves, though not always so noble in nature. Though his is the last in the line of this notorious family it is interesting to see his recollection of the land where he was raised and his family’s rise to power. The character relates to the environment and the natural world because he was immersed in it as a child. Though his family did not always use the land in the best of ways he was still able to relate and recall the nature of its original beauty.

Photo Credit: http://rschreiber.edublogs.org/

The character’s sense of place and legacy is that though he has not always made the best of choices in his rise to power in his late life he is making sure that he can leave the world by righting some of the wrings that he has done which I find admirable. I relate to this character because I can see how he had to choose between successes and how he would go about getting it. Most people only think about money or opportunities to be gained and don’t always think of the damage they may cause to others involved. My sense of place is that I’ve lived a very sheltered life. I’ve never had to focus much on the environment around me and the role I play. When I began attending Florida Gulf Coast University that is when I really started to think about the role I play and the importance of the natural state of Florida and the plants and animals that are native to the land. The legacy I hope to leave is one that is respectful to the land and can embody it beauty. It's important to strive for succes and advance society but I believe it can be done without harming the beauty of the natural resources of the land.

Journal Entry: Grunwald

Kamilah Van
Professor Brenda Thomas
Journal Entry: Grumwald

Exerpt from The Swamp:The Everglades, Florida, and Politics of Paradise

Endgame

Michael Grunwald

Overall I found the reading to be very informative about the restoration of the Everglades. I never knew how much of a process it was to get certain plans in order to help restore this area. In the open of the reading the author speaks about the slogan behind the campaign for Everglades’ restoration “A Time to Act”. I think that the slogan is interesting to see the relation to the campaign because it offers a call to action to all who read it.

Photo Credit: http://evergladesreview.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/white-house-disney-news-conference.jpg  

Key officials had absolute authority and control over the restoration of the Everglades. With other individuals it is noted that we need to focus on the needs of the land and do what is best for it. “Action taken to restore the Everglades in the next year will set the course for the next several decades”. There are a lot of people who would love to see the area grow with loving authority and I believe the hard work of the people draws me in to this project and its success.  “After months of cheerleading for CERP, the Everglades Coalition once again had to decide what to do about an Everglades restoration plan with questionable benefits for the Everglades”.

Photo Credit: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/11/01/us/02everglades.4-650.jpg

It is amazing how we hold so much responsibility over the environment and creatures that inhabit Earth. The usually mild-mannered Senator Mack once yelled at him to mind his own business, nut Voinovich believed that if the Everglades was really “America’s Everglades, “as the Florida senators kept calling it, then a threat to the Everglades was America’s business”. As I continued to read the text I wondered if the efforts that were taken were effective and if the slogan could be used national to promote more concern towards the restoration of this region.

 

Photo Credit: http://media.cagle.com/53/2012/04/11/109781_600.jpg

Journal Entry #3 Douglas

Kamilah Van

Professor Brenda Thomas

IDS 3920 CRN 10140

Journal Entry: Douglas

I found the reading to be very interesting. It was very descriptive in talking about the nature of the everglades. I liked this part the most because I have never been to the everglades but the author’s description gave me something to envision.  As the author began to elaborate more on the different aspects of the everglades I began to marvel at how awesome this environment was in its beginning. From outside knowledge I know that today there are a lot of restoration projects to help save the everglades and I can see the reasoning for such action. I like how the author was able to break down the elements of the everglades: grass, water, and rocks to help describe more of its majestic qualities.  I came along this quote: “The mangrove becomes a solid barrier there, which by its strong, arched and labyrinthine roots collects the sweepage of the fresh water and salt and holds back the parent tree” (Douglas). I found this interesting because it reminded me of the field trip we took and how we were able to see the difference between the different types of mangroves. It also allowed me to see more of the purposes they hold in that ecosystem.

Photo Credit: www.gorp.com

Everything in the everglades holds its purpose in making the area what it is and how it functions. From the water to the trees and animals that reside there I have come to see that everything holds purpose. “Sometimes the rainy season goes all summer, casually raining here and there so that the green things never quite dry out while salt-water mosquitos from the brackish pools about the coasts blow on the west wind in thin screaming hordes” (Douglas). This quote makes me think back to mosquito trenches that were identified on the last field trip and the purpose that it held in providing food for the smaller fish. Though those were different ecosystems I can still see the connection.


Photo Credit: www.tripadvisor.com

As people have come to experience the beauty of the everglades I find that the environment is resilient… at least that is what I can sense from the reading. It goes through its lifecycle and helps to host a multitude of plants and animals. “The life and death of the saw grass is only a moment of that flow in which time, the vastest river, carries us and all life forward” (Douglas). I hope that the authors method will be able to inspire others to that the everglades can be protected and allowed to be something that is still a characteristic of Florida ecosystems.  

Journal Entry #2 Leopold

Kamilah Van
IDS 3920 CRN 10140
Journal Entry Two

Aldo Leopold offered some extensive insight on how the land we live on can be treated better for greater use in the future. Believe it or not we add value to the land that we live on but we also have the ability to diminish that value. It is important to pay close attention to what Leopold offers in the text and still be able to come to your own conclusions. What I enjoyed most about this text was the constant relation to what could be done to help the land and also the explanation of different concepts that are being used. In the opening of the excerpt Leopold speaks about the concept of right and wrong in Greece time. This brings about and important question: What is determined right or wrong in regards to land treatment?  Taking a look into the evolution of the human environment it can be clear that different cultures have their own preferences to how they interact with their environment.

Photo Credit: http://www.tibetanbuddhistaltar.org/our-nature-is-love/

I found the community concept to be an interesting set up because how it includes a sense of belonging in an environment in a competitive form. It also shows that knowing your environment is important in how you interact with it. It's important to think about how we interact with our environment in both negative and positive ways. I believe there should be balance between a person and there environment. The resources that we us and the way we care for our environment says a lot about who we are as people. “No important change in ethics was ever accomplished without an internal change in our intellectual emphasis, loyalties, affections, and convictions” (Leopold). With this statement it adds to the author’s emphasis of conservation and how it is a part of our philosophical and religious beliefs. Together we can make sure that the land health is still a continuing value that is incorporated in our way of living as time goes on. Love the land, love each other and watch the wonders it can do.

 

Journal Entry One: Louv

Kamilah Van
IDS 3920 CRN 10140
Journal Entry # 1

I really enjoyed the text by Richard Louv. His research and included examples was insightful and was an excellent way to start off the subject matter for this course. I admired how he included multiple examples on the effect of nature and human interaction. Though his focus was on ADHD and ADD and the statistics associated with children, I find the reading was able to capture the essence of why interaction with nature is a must with everyone. A lot of people have grown up or currently reside in areas where much of the natural environment is depleting and it is pleasing to see how beneficial interaction with the natural elements can alleviate some of the medical challenges that exist today. In the opening of the text Louv stated "She doesn't understand why P.E. is so limited, or why the playground can't be more conducive to natural play." (Louv, Page 1). Through this description of a teacher commenting on her kindergarten class it shows the changes of the time and how P.E. or time set aside for outside enjoyment during school hours is constantly evolving. Though this example was just the opening to the extensive research and explanation that was done for other topics I find this to be most relatable to myself and I'm quite sure others will agree. Time has changed in regards to the amount of outdoor opportunities has depleted from when I was in elementary school. In today’s society many students don’t have the opportunity to experience the joys of nature whether on the blacktop playground or out in the protected forest areas. Somewhere along the line it is my hope that all children, teens, and adults will have the opportunity to interact with the natural environment whether it is at a park, beach, or campsite.  The benefits of outdoor pursuits would do some if not all of those age groups some good.

 

 

Later on in the text Richard Louv goes on to explain “The fascination factor associated with nature is restorative, and it helps relieve people from directed-attention fatigue" (Louv, Page 6). With the efforts of the Kaplan’s and their take on psychology and the involvement with nature, it was very interesting to see how their research and exercises were able to be a beneficial form of therapy in a way. Through this restorative relief it was very apparent that the connection between traditional treatment of ADHD and this take on environment interaction provides more options for children and possible adults that are going through a nature deficit. The remainder of the text speaks volumes for itself but I truly enjoyed this reading. I will take away from it that there are a lot of benefits to outdoor involvement and also nature therapy can do a world of good especially to those who are not able to get as much outdoor accessibility. So whatever the interaction I can see where nature holds it mysterious wonders and remains a constant in human interaction and involvement. I know that whenever I am feeling out of touch with the elements or stressed star gazing or reflection on the beach (or FGCU Waterfront) always does well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sXHWXCsoaE