Overpopulation of the world

Air pollution in China

Education and the Proliferation of the New(old) Concepts:

The article starts by saying that good education is connected to a good economy.  Although, education is a perfect way to prepare for the future, the interest to let education serve different ends is arising. Since the ecological circumstances are not up to par, the article states that the concepts of agrarianism, the commons, no-growth economics, and maximum wage will increase in popularity over time.  The education one receives today should not be different from the wealthy versus the poor. Society has attempted many times to change these ways and begin a no-growth and maximum wage policy. However, we have not succeeded.  

The article discusses how agrarianism should be put into place. Agrarianism, in definition terms, is a “doctrine of an equal division of landed property and the advancement of agricultural groups.”  Instead of remembering the cultural view of agriculture, such as “frugality, good neighbor ship, the avoidance of risk, and psychological profit in work done well”, we, as humans, tend to think farming as just a way a life: a way in which money can be made. If agrarianism came a part of the future, citizens would benefit from sharing a community and having a neighborhood for all families. 

Next, the article discusses no-growth economics. The need for the no-growth economics concept is a result from the “environmental degradation” of today’s world.  The idea is that there will be no rich or poor people, just a middle-class population. To be successful in a no-growth economy is taxes. Therefore, there would be an establishment of maximum wage. President Roosevelt  attempted to pass a law that taxed 100% to the one’s making over $25,000 dollars per year. However, the law was never put into motion.  Like the agrarianism and the commons, the no-growth economy and maximum wage shall launch through education, and result in service in “economic and political dimensions to life.”  

Through the government, we are “dominated” by the wealthiest people and with that we have much hope that some will take a “proactive policy stand.”  Instead of allowing our world to continue to take part in these acts, humans should agree that project-based learning, social reconstruction, pedagogy and community-based curriculum are the aspects that will get our world ready for the environmental and global problems we are facing, and also the ones to come.

Indigenous Resistance Response

          The essay “Indigenous resistance and racist schooling on the borders of empires: Coast Salish cultural survival” discusses the difference between two empires and how the people of British Columbia and Washington State had borderland regions with contrasting policies. By definition, the term colonization education means “one nation or territory taking control of another nation or territory either through force or acquisition.”  The experience of the Coast Salish people was tough considering they were separated and put into schools that were segregated, where they could not practice their own values. 

            Often, the impact from colonization of education led to leaving those who were a part of change with a lack of identity and few memories of the past. Psychological problems even developed during this time from such a dramatic change. The reason that the victims of these schools cannot remember their past is because their customs and beliefs that were once practiced would “slowly slip away.”  The Coast Salish students “land claims, treaties, and fishing rights were at stake.” The students were resisting this education all the way up until the 20^th century. However, there was a right to resist since their culture was being completely stripped away. 

                   I do not think it is morally right to take the culture and heritage away from a group of people. Now, thankfully, there are rights against actions such as these, and people can attend to schools as they please. In schools, students are now able and allowed to speak their own languages. It is unjust that their precious culture was a thing of the past, and the only way to keep it alive was to tell or listen to stories from the elderly. It is traumatic to read and attempt to understand what these people went through, and how hard it must have been. People need to be more appreciative how lucky we Americans have it today. 

Meatrix

After watching the videos on Meatrix, one will undoubtedly have a huge wake up call. The Meatrix is described as “the story we tell ourselves about where meat and animal products come from.” The main purpose of factory farming is to grow a mass production of a meat or dairy product in a short amount of time. The catchy videos put the techniques of farming today in an elementary viewpoint, which is easy to understand for all ages. The way that the environmental problems are put into fun videos is much more effective than an article in a magazine or newspaper article. The videos take the role from the animals perspective and how they are put together in tight areas, where it is difficult to even turn around. Not only are these animals being treated in such a cruel manner, the amount of excrete in a small area builds up and pollutes the air and water, which effects humans through simply breathing or drinking water.  This act causes humans whose homes are around factory farms to stay sick. By supporting these industries we are allowing our health to be put at risk.  

This is happening everywhere, and effects everyone associated in factory farming, including the workers and the consumers. Most people have always heard that fast food is unhealthy, but now it is just as unhealthy is eat the meat or dairy products purchased from the grocery store. Now that I’ve seen these videos, I have a completely different outlook on factory farming. Meatrix is by far a great way to start and become aware of these harmful factors. We, as a community, need to come together and get involved! Americans should not have to settle for unhealthy food!

 

Real Text-- Biotechnology

In chapter 6 of the Real Text book, the authors discuss how to persuade with balanced arguments. Real Text provides the reader with 3 specific steps in which biotechnology writers should complete in order to achieve such balance. First, “use a moderate tone”. By using a moderate tone, a person can still show respect to the people who disagree and give everyone a right to their own opinion. Second, “present evidence that everyone respects and understands.” Using evidence that people can respect benefits the person presenting the argument because if they do not fully understand the information being presented from inappropriate terminology, that an average person can not comprehend, or data that people do not agree with, the argument will likely end in a different way than planned. Last, “provide practical solutions.” Providing practical solutions is important because the writer wants the reader to understand that it is the best and realistic option, while also demonstrating that the option may not be perfect. Using these 3 strategies effectively will better one’s chances of appealing to all readers. 

              Biotechnology is a study, in the field of biology, in which there is a use of living organisms and they are conducted through engineering, manufacturing, technology and medicine. Some applications that are preformed through biotechnology are as follows: production of drugs, hormones, and genetically altered bacteria.  Many humans have different opinions on whether this study is ethical. The chapter demonstrates how each individual would go about arguing such a sensitive subject. An issue is genetically altered food (GM) and environmentalists would certainly not agree with this because they are borrowing genes from another species. The fact of the matter is this; our population is growing at such a rapid pace and by 2020 there will be an extra 1.5 billion people, with not enough food to suffice the population. Our society needs to come together and agree on these problems. Through persuasive arguments, the problem will be carefully considered in all angles and will be better organized. 

Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination

            In the article, “EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination” federal environmental agents link the water contamination in Pavillion, Wyoming to hydraulic fracturing.  By definition, hydraulic fracturing is an act in which one attempts to “create fractures in rocks and rock formations by injecting a mixture of sand and water into the cracks to force the underground to open further.” Gas companies such as EnCana, the owner of the Pavillion wells, believe the fracking process is safe. Their belief is that the hydrologic pressure forces fluids down; therefore, the “deep geologic layers provide a watertight barrier preventing the movement of chemicals toward the surface.” Thus, water contamination will not occur through the use of fracking. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disagrees with companies like EnCana.

            The Environmental Protection Agency states the contamination of Pavilion, Wyoming is an effect of the gas drilling process, better known as fracking. The EPA believes that the contamination leaked from the gas wells, which contained 10 different compounds. The draft report clearly states, “alternative explanations were carefully considered” before publishing the cause of the pollution. Whereas there are those who support the findings of the EPA, Senator James Inhafoe found the report to be “offensive” and has accused the environmental agency to be biased. Whether the findings are true or inaccurate, the report will bring much needed debate on stronger federal regulations of hydraulic fracturing. After the EPA finalizes its report in the spring, this environmental issue could completely change the way our country regulates and develops natural gas resources.

            While each side, environmentalist and those of the drilling industry, have evidence to support their position, neither group is going to take rejection easily. The debate will continue until someone “gets to the bottom” of water contamination in the areas which fracking happens. Amy Mall, Natural Resources Defense Council, declares “no one can accurately say that there is ‘no risk’ where fracking is concerned.”  Mall is attempting to explain that there are different factors that come into play during hydraulic fracturing, and that any of those could go wrong. Mall’s solution is to strive to make and abide by stricter rules for construction and to keep threats away from natural water supplies. Water supplies people use to drink and bathe.

            The debate continues to whether the drilling process accounts for water pollution. After the people involved with EPA “drilled two water monitoring wells to 1,000 ft.” The EPA investigators found extreme levels of chemicals, such as benzene and 2 Butoxyethanol, which are normally used during fracking. The finding of these chemicals further supports the evidence of the cause of water pollution.

            Though the two chemicals were found, it did not conclude the research. Agriculture, drilling and old wastes are still considerations of contamination. I agree with the Environmental Protection Agency. Regardless of the causes of water pollution, citizens need to find solutions. Water pollution is not only detrimental to our planet, but also to our health.

            For further thought, imagine if a gas company provided drinking water for your family. This indicates, at least at some point, they felt a sense of responsibility for the brown water.   

Environmental History

             Environmental history is said to be “earth’s eye-view of the past.” The environmental history is the study in which one can observe human interaction with the environment over a period of time. As many already know, population has certainly risen throughout time. The United States had only 179 million people close to the end of the “baby boom” in 1960. Today, approximately 50 years later, there are over 300 million people in the U.S.  Population is growing at such a rapid pace as a result of people living longer, lack of family planning and growing industries and cities. Charlotte is an example of a city that has undergone these changes over time.

            Charlotte is one of the largest cities in the United States as well as the largest city in North Carolina. Currently, the population in Charlotte is plus or minus 731,500 residents. Charlotte started growing proceeding the Civil War when the cotton processing center and railroad hub were developed. During the time, the population census showed how population was at about 7,000. Furthermore, population grew again during World War I.  Population went from 7,000 to 731,500; it is almost unthinkable to see how much the city's population has changed.

            The banking industry is by far a great success of Charlotte today. Charlotte is the “second largest banking center in the United States.” Many people consider moving to charlotte with justification of finding a job within one of the 500 companies that are headquarters. Also, if not residents, charlotte has a great amount of travelers who come to watch the NASCAR or the see the NASCAR hall of fame. “Almost 75% of the NASCAR industry’s employees and drivers are based nearby.” Not to mention, motorsports is always growing and drag racers are deciding to move to Charlotte also.

            The fact that Charlotte has an extreme amount of neighborhoods, approximately 200, and the availability of jobs are results of how the population increase. Thus, through environmental history a person can see the actuality of just how rapid the increase was, and over what period of time were the highest  peaks. Overpopulation is a growing problem in today’s world, but by looking back and becoming educated of the ways overpopulation has increased, one would assume that we, as humans, could prevent more environmental issues to come. 

Religion & The Environment

            There is an ongoing list of environmental problems in today’s world. According to John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker, at Yale University, religion should be intertwined in one’s relationship with the environment. Tucker states that we are “one planet and one species” and we should all come together and make some changes.  By believing in a higher power, no matter what religion or culture, it should make a difference in how a person treats and contributes to bettering the environment. Belief in religion is thought to increase citizen’s awareness of the issues and to become motivated to help sustain life in all ecosystems.

            Religion and the role it has on the environment could be a sensitive subject to some, however the perspective one has is that if a person believes that a higher power created this world, why are we not gratefully doing our best to sustain it? Like Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, there are others out there that believe religion and the environment go together in some way. In Research, Conservation and Recycling, the book describes how faith is an “important partner in the implantation of environmental and other policies.” An example that sticks out is how several churches in the United States contributed to the environment with “What car would Jesus drive?” a protest about fuel inefficiency in motor vehicles. The most important message coming from this book is the fact that it’s not solely based on religion but the magnitude is that “any implementation strategy should build on the cultural environment to be successful.”

        Environmental ethics is the relationship between human beings and the environment. Today, and in the past, it is necessary to start living in an environmental friendly way, to decrease the amount of overpopulation, air, water, and soil pollution, and global warming. If more citizens would go forth and develop stewardship, they will become aware of these problems and how to reverse them, and our children and grandchildren will live in safer, more conservative world. 

Towards Ecopedagogy

             Richard Kahn’s essay “Towards Ecopedagogy: Weaving a Broad-based Pedagogy of Liberation for Animals, Nature, and the Oppressed People of the Earth” discusses globalization’s role in a forth-coming “ecological catastrophe.” Globalization has created a world “in which services and money are exchanged much like oxygen and carbon-dioxide.” Globalization has created a world in which both tree consumption and global fishing have doubled resulting in the disappearing of forests and the fish species. Additionally, the re-introduction of whaling and the filling or draining of wetlands has further created a world that does not support life. Furthermore, globalization has created a world in which the population continues to rise, increasing the consumption of land, trees, and animals, as well as the poor people and nations of the world who suffer most. If the world is to continue to sustain life, then the world’s people must be educated. Kahn argues a blending or synthesis of critical pedagogy and environmental education must occur. This ecopedagogy should not be reduced to the current environmental programs.

            The “Zoo School” is an example of an environmental program. Although educational reformists praise the school and the No Child Left Behind legislation, Kahn argues the school’s philosophy is not doing enough to educate the youth of America on environmental issues. The students of the school “lack the deep critical, social, and ethical focus that contemporary environmentalism demands.” Zahn feels rather than the school allowing swimming with the dolphins, they should be fighting to return them to their natural habitat. 

            Environmental education programs are not enough if we want all the environmental problems occuring to cease and for our world to be sustained. Therefore, the blending of pedagogies is necessary and ecopedagogy cannot be reduced to environmental education. Kahn discusses the work of Jim Cummins and Dennis Sayers. Cummins and Sayers define three literacies in order to transform our society into one with greater justice and equality. The justice and equality needed to liberate animals, nature, and the oppressed people of the earth. The literacies as follows are functional literacy, cultural literacy, and critical literacy. Kahn blends these literacies to the current environmental crisis and terms them ecoliteracies. In order for society to survive, these ecoliteracies should be blended together and should be taught by the environmental education programs. Educational settings must teach ecopedagogy and not be reduced to the current environmental educational programs.

            Educators in today’s world have a responsibility to teach the ecoliteracies if ecopedagogy is to reduce, or even eliminate, global catastrophes brought about by the human species. As a nineteen-year-old college freshman student, I agree that environmental education must be expanded. I have received little education on the environmental issues within our nation and in the world. My education mainly consisted of recycling and conserving. Recycling aluminum, not allowing the water to run while I am brushing my teeth, and turning off electricity components when they are not being used have been to the extent to which I received an environmental education. Much more needs to be accomplished if the world is to survive indefinitely.

            What will I do to turn “today’s rage” to “tomorrow’s hope?” To quote Paulo Freire, “It is urgent that we assume the duty of fighting for the fundamental ethical principles, like respect for the life of human beings, the life of other animals, the life of birds, the life of rivers and forests. I do not believe in love between men and women between human beings if we are not able to love the world.” I intend to “love the world,” become more educated on environmental issues, and fight for a change in the environmental catastrophes that globalization has created. 

Google alerts

            One of my Google alert searches was Rainforest Destruction. I believe this is an extremely important environmental problem. I recently developed an interested in the causes and effects of cutting down the rainforest, after reading another classmate’s blog on Friday. I was not aware of the harmful aftermath of something so beautiful.

            A website called “Rainforest Facts” came across my Google alerts today with some very shocking information. If people would become more educated on how detrimental cutting down these rare rainforests are, the problem could possibly cease. The website demonstrates how 14% percent of the earth used to be covered by rainforest, with now just a slim 6% percent remaining. Experts claim, “The last remaining rainforest’s can be consumed in less than forty years.”

            The website refers to rainforests as the “lungs of our planet”, by constantly recycling the carbon dioxide in the air, rainforest are the main producers of oxygen.  One of the problems that really interest me is that many medicines come from the rainforest. Since my plan is to go to Physician Assistant School, I am curious as to what Doctors or PA’s would prescribe their patients with out all these necessary medicines. The health care advances would decrease tremendously and knowledge on new cures and medicines would be a thing of the past. It is thought that if there was ever a cure for AIDS or cancer, it would be found within the rainforest. Cancer and AIDS are too main causes of death today.  Do we honestly think it is more important to have extra land for houses and business’s than to have a cure for a disease that is killing our loved ones or ourselves? I do not think so.

            To conclude, there are excessive problems that are coming from such this irresponsible action, such as different species becoming extinct, the amount of Indians living in the rainforests to decrease and ignoring that cures for diseases are out there. The rainforest is more economically important than any reason people believe is justifying cutting rainforests down. Hopefully one day, people will realize what a huge impact Rainforest deforestation has on our planet, and find ways to convince people that it’s not worth the risk.

"End of the river?" / video link

            In the near future, the world we live in is going to be deprived of clean water. Species will no longer be able to drink water as an aftermath of pollution. What we, as citizens, really need is to be environment friendly. We should think of how the world would be like without such necessities. Just imagine. Could we really like in a place like that? In my opinion, I do not think we could undergo such changes. Jonathan Waterman tells his experience with unclean water in the essay “End of the river?” He demonstrates that the Colorado River, just like any other, is a “ticking bomb” if we do not change our ways.

            Jonathan Waterman and his friend, Pete McBride, paddled down a narrow stream in the El Rio Colorado River, on what they thought was a 1,450 mile trip. As the trip progressed, Waterman describes how he could not “breathe.” Waterman and McBride discovered a green pond; a pond consumed of fertilizers. They believed the water was polluted enough to allow illness to occur. Waterman demonstrates that Colorado River has been “engineered to death.” The canals and dams solace all their waters to every farm, industry and city, while other species in the desert are hungry and thirsty. At the end of the trip, they find “wet paradise.” The water turned clear, and was ongoing as far as they could see. Waterman states that as “As the stream narrowed, we could feel it gathering momentum, as if it would once more meet the sea” and after that great feeling, he could finally “breathe” again.

            Not only are disturbing pollutions happening to places like the Colorado River, the pollutions are happening everywhere. The video I chose to relate to “End of the River?” is about the Mississippi River which runs through “the heart of America.” The beautiful scenery is also one of the most productive farmlands. The fertilizers, that farmers are using, turn the waters green and destroy the ecosystem. A woman states, “It’s not natural to be swimming in the water and not see living organisms.” The video describes that in a world of such a constantly growing population, the food chain is going to double. Not only are we overusing fertilizer and energy, our water is going to be depleted in the next couple of generations; therefore, farmers are doing everything they can to change their ways and traditions to better the earth. I believe these two different stories give an eye-opening wake up call to humans that something must be done if we are to survive. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba97nG2Bvyg

           The environmental issues are becoming a major concern in the world today. We are slowly destroying earth by energy consumption, overpopulation, air, water and soil pollution, deforestation, biodiversity, overuse of transportation, global warming, etc.  This is exactly the reason humans’ need sustainability. Sustainability has many different meanings such as to maintain, support and endure. However, for us, sustainability is “everything we need for survival and the well being of the environment.”

            The Environmental Protection Agency, better known as the EPA, discusses what they are doing to maintain sustainability. The EPA has “began developing tools and practices that help prevent rather than control” environmental problems.

Take energy consumption as an example, an average human’s health is at risk from the burning of fuels, such as carcinogen benzene, a chemical, that are being released into the air. The pieces of ash are so small; they remain floating in the air and are often inhaled into the respiratory system. A short article in The Sustainability Report discusses a study in 1995 to 1996 where over 28,000 people were interviewed that ranged from the ages of 5 to 19 years old. The Student Health Lung Study was held in 9 different countries, all of which were asked to determine factors which provoked asthma attacks. There are many different contributions to the attacks, but a few were the indoor and outdoor air quality, national and local energy, and exposure to dust particles. The World Health Organization revealed that many of the components studied “link to the use of natural resources like fossil fuels to human health using the example of severe respiratory infections.”  Humans are not aware of how detrimental these chemicals are to our bodies. The EPA presents a manual called “Green Living” to show us day-to-day living techniques to protect earth. Therefore, we can decrease the abundance of unhealthy Americans by reducing the amount of fuel we have been using.

In a final thought, sustainability is about knowing “what meets the needs of the present without compromising the future.” One of the most important concerns in sustainability is earth’s carrying capacity. Thus, if the earth continues to be overcrowded, it will not last “indefinitely.” Overpopulation is a prime reason why the environmental issues have reached an all-time high, with so many resources being in demand. Therefore, if we follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s suggestions on Green Living, we will be on our way to living a more fulfilling, healthy life. 

Overpopulation

            There are many environmental issues that are going to be the cause of Island Civilization to exist in the future. In my opinion, I believe overpopulation is at the top of the list. Overpopulation not only affects the environment, but also the economy. Many studies reveal that overpopulation is the world’s greatest problem.

            Overpopulation, by definition, means the “excessive population of an area to the point of overcrowding, depletion of natural resources, or environmental deterioration.” Environmental issues that concern humans increase daily due to overpopulation. On earth, there are approximately 6.8 billion people with new births at 220,000 per day. Thus, as our population continues to increase, so does our demand for natural resources.

            Higher demand of resources, war and social conflict, limits on personal freedom, and health and survival of other species are all effects of overpopulation. Most importantly, the Ozone layer is being destroyed at a rate of “4% per decade.” The world, as we know it, will not exist if the ozone layer can no longer deter UV rays.

As for the survival of other species, they are all in danger! Humans have completely taken over every aspect of the world by destroying habitats and building more houses, roads, and developments. Not only are we harming other species, we are also harming ourselves. We are polluting air, water and soil. “At least half of the cause of the oil-spill disaster in the Gulf is due to the unprecedented rise in population.” Many humans go hungry and are not able to shower or brush their teeth because of the limited amount of food and water. I could continue to describe the harmful things we are doing to other species as well as to ourselves, yet, I just mentioned a few.

            To conclude, overpopulation is certainly a growing issue. If we do not start to take better care of the earth, then Island Civilization will be one of the only options left if mankind and other species are to survive.

http://howmany.org/environmental_and_social_ills.php

Island Civilization

Roderick F. Nash creates a vision of life on earth in the 4^th Millennium. The vision responds to concerns Jared Diamond raises in his book titled Collapse. Diamond suggests that humans are not exempt from environmental problems such as ecological disaster or social disintegration. Throughout history, the human species farmed land to cultivate crops, built fences to contain animals, and created technology which destroyed rather than preserved the “wilderness.” Additionally, railroads, freeways, and dams have left the wilderness in more danger. According to the article, “0nly about two percent of the contiguous forty eight states is legally wild, and the same amount is paved.” It was in 1890 when the Census Bureau declared the wilderness no more and Americans began to believe the wilderness should be treasured and protected.

            Looking toward the 4^th Millennium there are several theories on the future of the world that humans evolved. The wasteland scenario, the garden scenario, future primitive, and island civilizations are possibilities for the future world.

            Nash concentrates on island civilization. His belief is that island civilization is a strategy which allows the occupation of all species on the planet to live peacefully together.

            Nash’s island civilization involves compromises to human freedom. Both human population and human living space must be restrained. In Nash’s words, “bigger is not always better.” The island civilization scenario would create boundaries for humans. As a result, other species will be able to move out of their “corners” and war will be a thing of the past. Yet, humans will be more compacted without their boundaries of fences. Thus, hunting and gathering lifestyles will emerge in history again.

            In my opinion, it is time for humans to be good neighbors on our planet. I agree with Nash; an island civilization seems to be the best scenario from the four options if our world is to survive. I do believe the scenario may take hundreds of years to complete. However, we can begin by doing small things. We can cut fewer trees and reduce land, air, and water pollution. Technology could be used in ways which will better benefit our society. For example, transportation could be developed which reduces the amount of gas and oil needed. Another example may be to build high rise apartment units rather than single homes; better use of land could be acquired. The land preserved would be of benefit to other species in the ecosystem.

            Quite frankly, Americans have grown to be accustomed to the ownership of land and possessions. The giving up of land and possessions, as well as the conveniences of grocery stores and cell phones will be difficult for the American. A very wise man by the name of Wallace Stegner states that, “We are the most dangerous species of life on the planet, and every other species, even the earth itself, has cause to fear our power to exterminate. But we are also the only species which, when it chooses to do so, will go to great effort to save what it might destroy.” If Stegner’s thoughts are correct, then the human species, regardless of the loss of land and possessions, will live in island civilizations to preserve and save a planet of many species.