Slow Down and Mind Your Values!

Reading Summaries

The following paragraphs summarize sections 10, 12, 31, 32, and 34 from the book Environmental Studies, Third Edition (Easton 2009).

Section 10 – Life and Death of the Salt Marsh

In this section, John and Mildred Teal discuss findings from their research of the northern salt marshes of the Maritime Provinces.  The section begins with a description of a typical salt marsh in the area, including the sounds, sights, smells, and feelings one experiences on a visit to such a place.  However, the sustainability of these marshes is threatened due to devastation stemming from anthropocentric activities.  The authors describe that the salt marshes should be preserved because they provide many benefits to humans, even though some damage is inevitable due to construction of roads and related structures providing access.  It is suggested that in order to decide which marshes receive greater protection, planning has to be conducted at a national level and must look at all marshland along the entire coast.  Preservation must include protection from the growing human population as well as from large corporations that have significant influence over government decisions.

Section 12 – Ecosystems and Human Well-Being

Initiated in 2001, the United Nations’ Millennium Ecosystem Assessment project was aimed at examining the changes needed to meet the “Millennium Development Goals”.  These goals include elimination of poverty and hunger, universal primary education, increased gender equity, decreased child mortality, better maternal health, decreased prevalence of disease among humans, environmental sustainability, and a shift toward global cooperation in developmental issues.  However, ecosystem change by humans has occurred more quickly in the past 50 years than it has at any other point in history.  These changes have lead to degraded ecosystems and increased poverty.  It is likely the rate of degradation will increase significantly during the first half of this century unless there are significant changes in our institutions, policies, and practices.  Specifically, focus should be directed toward changing human reproductive behaviour, technological trends, and economic, cultural, and socio-political practices.

Section 31 – Living Downstream: An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment

This section is taken from a book written by Sandra Steingraber.  In the passage, Steingraber explains how current cancer research focuses excessively on heredity deficiencies and underemphasizes the effects of carcinogens existing in various working and living environments due to pollution.  In fact, only about 10% of cancer cases are due to inherited mutations alone, and at the very least, 10,940 Americans die each year from cancer caused by pollutants.  Due to health hazards associated with pollutants, legal limits have been set in regards to how much carcinogenic chemicals can be released into the environment, but carcinogens still frequently appear in urine and blood samples of many workers.  Also, there appears to be a lack of effort put forth into researching the effect chemicals have when combined or changed in the environment. 

Steingraber states that regulating chemical release into the environment instead of trying to prevent said release is a poor strategy.  Instead, we should follow the principle of the least toxic alternative, wherein toxic substances are avoided as long as there is an alternative way to complete a task.  Using this strategy, assessments would be carried out to ensure compliance.  If a company is found to be using toxic chemicals, a further assessment would be conducted to determine whether or not use is warranted.  With all the knowledge gained via the assessment process, new and affordable non-toxic alternatives could be developed, and programs could be put in place to help companies make the transition from using toxic to non-toxic products.

Section 32 – Our Stolen Future

Section 32 depicts how the information gathered from laboratory testing of animals can be invaluable in regards to understanding the effects of environmental pollutants on human hormones and, thus, development.  The author speculates all humans have some accumulation of synthetic chemicals stored in their body fat – a result of exposure to environmental pollution.  Since humans are dependent on animals for food, and since hormones work in a very similar fashion in all mammals, laboratory studies conducted on animals can provide insight into the health effects these stored chemicals may have on humans occupying the same environment.  In fact, the data gathered so far from such tests suggests hormone disruptors in the form of environmental pollutants may already be affecting human development in a number of areas.

Section 34 – Environmental Justice for All

Throughout much of recent history, smelters, refineries, landfills, and other facilities associated with chemical hazards have been built in areas populated by low-income families and racial minorities.  This environmental racism existed undisturbed until 1968, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. travelled to Memphis to support garbage workers on strike due to exposure to environmentally dangerous working conditions.  From this point on, there have been many court cases and protests against environmental racism, and society has made progress toward its elimination.  However, the Bush administration (which was in power during the writing of this piece) threatens to destroy the progress made so far, as there have been changes proposed that, if initiated, would make it easier for refinery operations to expand without adopting new methods to capture excess emissions.  If our progress toward Environmental Justice is to continue, all people have to be considered, not just large corporations.

Activity

For my activity, I chose to watch a presentation by Carl Honore on the “slow movement”.  In his presentation, Carl describes how western society views time as linear, believing we must move quickly in order to get the most out of our time and be as productive as we can.  This mode of thinking has even been adopted by North American youth, as they are frequently busied by school, excessive amounts of homework, and extracurricular activities.  This type of lifestyle has lead to increased anxiety and reduced health among North Americans.  However, there is hope for the future.  Recently a slow movement has started that is being spread around the world.  The movement emphasizes quality in life over quantity.  For instance, some employers are beginning to encourage employees to take breaks during working hours; some schools are reducing homework allocated to students; and communities are becoming involved by establishing more green-space and putting out more benches, enticing people to sit down and take things easy.  As a result of these efforts, many employers have seen worker productivity increase, and some schools have observed increased academic output from students.  In fact, Carl himself said by slowing down, he has seen significant improvements in his own health and well-being.

Reflections

Activity Reflection

Personally, I am a big fan of the slow movement.  During my last semester in high school, I purposefully registered in only two classes so I could focus more on developing my track and field performance.  Now, over three years later, I regard this decision as one of the best I have ever made.  Decreasing my academic workload to focus more on my passion had a significant impact on not only my last year of high school, but also on my life.  I learned how much I enjoyed running, and my life was very stress-free during that time.  However, once high school ended and college began, I found myself doing enormous amounts of homework in each of the six courses in which I was enrolled per semester.  Along with homework, we also had labs and lab tests, quizzes, theory tests, and exams.  As a result of spending far too much time on academic pursuits, I spent little time with family and very little time running.  Thus, my health declined. 

It seemed as though my graduation came fast, but I suppose it is the nature of life to pass by quickly when you are constantly under the control of a never-ending pile of homework.  However, after school and a few months of summer employment, I decided to take some time off to rethink aspects of my life.  Even though the lady at the unemployment office thought I was wasting my time, I feel I gained significant benefits from taking things slow.  For instance, I began running again and lost around 20lbs.  I also spent lots of time hunting and fishing, strengthening my connection to nature.  I rethought my life and enrolled at the University of Manitoba with a new outlook on school.  I decided I would no longer spend hours of my life doing homework or studying.  So far, my new style of thinking has persisted, and I have made time to run nearly every day.  I also take time to cook healthy meals and relax a little.  As a result, I feel a lot less stress now than I did in college.

In conclusion, I feel I can really connect with what Carl said in his presentation, and I believe the rest of the world should consider his words and slow down.  After all, what benefits are to be derived from a life lived too fast?

Class Reflection

One of the reflections I wanted to make is related to my core values, how aspects of my life reflect these values, and how I can change some areas of my life to live according to my values more fully. 

Living in an environmentally responsible way is something I have considered significantly as of late, and is something I would like to work on into the future.  Considering the environment in my daily activities is one way I have moved toward this goal.  For instance, I have developed a habit of turning off electrical appliances not in use in order to save energy.  This paranoia has even extended outside my own life to the point where I frequently turn off the lights in public places if no one else is present.  Also, leaking taps are a particular personal irritant, and I often find myself applying heavy torque to public washroom taps in an attempt to stop water leakage.

Despite my attempts to live with a smaller environmental footprint, there are many aspects of my life which I am still trying to modify.  For instance, one change I am currently working on is reducing the amount of paper I use by taking less notes in school and printing double-sided instead of single-sided documents.  I am also trying to avoid using paper towels in the washroom.  Instead, I use my own reusable towel to dry my hands.

Environmental education is another value of mine.  During the summertime I work as an Assistant Resource Officer and am in charge of enforcing various laws related to the Fisheries Act (Manitoba and Canada), the Manitoba Fishery Regulations, and the Environment Act (among many others).  Through enforcement work, I have the privilege of speaking to numerous resource-users.  In some instances, situations I encounter necessitate the need for me to educate individuals by either talking to them or by taking necessary enforcement action.  In this way, I feel as though I am a teacher, and it gives me great pleasure to know I am making a difference.  However, some aspects of this job go against my values.  For instance, Resource Officers typically patrol large areas via truck, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, helicopter, plane, or motorized watercraft.  These methods of transport are associated with greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution.  As well, helicopters and planes are very expensive forms of transportation.  In some cases, I feel travel via these methods is unwarranted and the money used could be spent in a better way.

Another aspect of my job which is incompatible with my values is the way in which Resource Officers handle “problem wildlife” such as black bears.  In summary, a black bear will be trapped and relocated once or twice.  However, if the bear is persistent and problems continue, Officers will likely shoot it.  Trapping and relocating consume much time and money, and since bears have an excellent sense of smell, they will often return to the location at which they were considered to be a “problem”.  Some Resource Officers see this and, as a result, decide to shoot first and relocate later.  To me, both procedures seem like band-aid solutions.  Bears are very adaptable and they will always seek easy food sources, whether the source is a berry patch, garbage dump, or a neighbour’s barbeque.  I am a believer in solving problems by addressing root causes, so I feel that more effort should be placed on ceasing the behaviour which leads to problem wildlife.  In most instances, this behaviour is associated with human practices.  In the future, I hope managers act on this realization, and I hope they also realize the great intellectual capacity we have as human beings warrants a movement away from this current hillbilly wildlife management approach to something more civilized and more effective.

In conclusion, much change needs to happen before I can live according to my core values more fully.  As a young adult just realizing what my values are, I believe now is the time in which change will begin to occur.

Nick

Of Food and Zoos...

Nickolas Kosmenko

Reading Summaries

The following paragraphs summarize sections 9, 29, and 41 from the book Environmental Studies, Third Edition (Easton 2009).

Section 9 – Human Domination of Earth’s Ecosystems

As the human population has grown, so has its effect on Earth’s systems.  Human-induced changes in the landscape, biogeochemical cycles, and species of Earth have resulted in climate change and reduced biodiversity on a global scale, occurring in both terrestrial and marine environments.  This section summarizes many of the ways in which humans have altered the Earth including increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, diverting and altering waterways, changing the phosphorus and nitrogen cycles, and increasing sulfur emissions and distribution of toxic metals.  As well, humans have also facilitated many biotic alterations including increased rates of species extinction and increased prevalence of invasive species.

As the author points out, all of these changes are due to a growing human population with an increasing need for development.  To mitigate effects, the author suggests three measures: 1) reduce how much humanity alters the earth, 2) conduct more research to gain a better understanding of Earth’s systems, and 3) maintain responsibility for managing global resources.

Section 29 – Environmental, Energetic, and Economic Comparisons of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems

From 1981 until 2002, a study titled the Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial has compared soybean and corn production from three different farming methods: conventional cropping, organic animal-based cropping in which grains are grown for animal feed, and organic legume-based cropping.  Regarding the results of the study, for the first five years, the conventional system averaged significantly more corn production than the organic systems, but after this period corn production was not significantly different between the three methods.  Soybean yields were also similar among the three plots.  Further, the organic plots had higher rates of water percolation, meaning greater groundwater recharge and less runoff.  There was also more soil water, carbon, and nitrogen in the organic fields.  For corn production, significantly less fossil fuels were used in the organic systems as compared to the conventional system, but for soybeans, fossil fuel use was similar.  Due to higher prices for organic produce, net returns on organic farming were greater than those for conventional farming.  These results indicate it may be beneficial to apply more organic strategies to conventional farming systems.

Section 41 – Women’s Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation

This passage describes how the views regarding sustaining biodiversity differ between today’s multinational corporations and women following traditional agricultural methods in Third World communities.  The former value nature only because it provides economic gain.  Due to this economic gain, corporations strive to produce monocultures to increase crop yields and, thus, profits.  However, this practice only leads to a loss of biodiversity, which counters any efforts made to achieve its preservation.  On the other hand, women in Third World nations understand that sustainability of livelihoods depends on sustaining biodiversity, and that an ecosystem profits more from a diverse landscape than fields of monoculture crops.  These women have an intrinsic value for nature which is lacking among multinational corporations, as demonstrated by corporations’ desire for profits above all else.  Such a desire has lead to seed patents and genetic alteration of plants to disallow biological attributes needed for reproduction, thus requiring farmers to buy new seeds annually.  In conclusion, even though women’s role in agriculture is overlooked, it seems as though it is essential to maintaining global biodiversity.

Activity

For my activity, I chose to watch a presentation by Eric Sanderson on a project he and others had been working on for ten years: the Mannahatta Project.  Using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, Eric and his team took a base-map of the New York City area and removed all the buildings, streets, and other man-made structures.  Next, using knowledge of interconnections between plant species, animal species, the area’s ancient Native tribes, soil, geologic, hydrologic, and topographic data, the team mapped where certain tribes, plants, and animal species would have been before European colonization, approximately 400 years ago.  The presentation concludes with a look at what Eric believes New York City could look like in another 400 years, with vegetation growing on the roofs of buildings, and swamps and forests interspersed throughout the city.

Reflections

Activity Reflection

In 2009 I took a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) course and quickly learned many of the amazing things that could be done with this technology.  For instance, one particularly fascinating piece of information I learned was that GIS can be used to predict where certain Aboriginal people would have lived based on proximity to favourable animal habitat (i.e. hunting areas).  Since I was already somewhat knowledgeable in this area, I wasn’t surprised to learn that mapping a theoretical pre-colonization New York City was possible.  However, I was amazed to learn that it was actually done.  Tremendous amounts of information are needed to accurately predict where tree and animal species would have been located 400 years ago, as described in the video.  As well, considering all interconnections between living and nonliving factors would take a very long time.  Indeed, this is an amazing feat, and a very interesting one for anyone with background knowledge of GIS technology. 

Along with being fascinating, the Mannahatta Project is also eye-opening.  The map of New York City 400 years ago reminds me of the area which I am from, where there are miles and miles of swamps, forests, and lakes.  If the New York area could be colonized and developed into the massive city it now is, perhaps the same could happen to my area.  This is indeed a scary thought, and one I do not like to entertain.

Eric’s “future New York City” seems very feasible.  Even though I would prefer to see New York City in the state it was 400 years ago, the alternative presented by Eric is still more favourable than the city’s present state.  The planet would be placed under much less stress if urban dwellers and wilderness could coexist.  In Eric’s New York, urbanites would have to give up some of the commodities they currently enjoy, but the city would still have many of the developments it has today… and besides, perhaps by giving up some comforts, people would realize greater happiness can be achieved from simpler pursuits.

Class Reflection # 1

One of the reflections I wanted to make is related to my personal “food system”.  In class we have done much discussion on the topic of food and its origin.  These discussions have been of very great interest to me, and I have probably benefited from these lectures more than any of the other lectures I have had in my university tenure thus far.  Before entering Environmental Issues class, I had considered where my food came from to only a small extent – an extent not sufficiently great to facilitate personal change.  However, our class lectures opened my eyes to the world of industrial farming.  Large-scale agriculture and associated processing seem to be flawed in many ways, from unethical treatment of animals to production of food deficient in nutrients to unsanitary working conditions.  These issues have become of greater concern to me as of late, which is part of the reason why I chose to forgo eating domesticated meat for one month for my Environmental Action assignment.  However, my one month ended on February 16^th, and I still have not eaten livestock.  Also, I have begun to buy more organic foods more often.  I think my food habits have been substantially changed by this class.

The greatest benefit I derive from my current diet is the knowledge that I am not supporting the unethical treatment of animals.  As well, I am relying more on my own skills and hard work to fulfill my dietary needs (if you call fishing and hunting hard work).  Further, by fishing and hunting instead of going to the grocery store, I maintain a connection with nature that many people don’t have.  It separates me from so many others, and makes me feel unique and independent.

One of the aspects associated with my current diet that I do not like is the difficulty to move away from consuming non-organic dairy products.  Dairy products are a great source of both protein and calcium, and ceasing to consume non-organic varieties may be hazardous to my health and financial situation, as many organic dairy products are very expensive.  I suppose this expense is due to greater labour needed to produce organic products.  However, a reduction in price would probably result in more people buying organic produce, which may help alleviate the financial stresses associated with increased labour.  I hope this price reduction happens in the near future.  Society knows it should move toward more sustainable approaches, so why not make it easier to do so by reducing prices of organic produce?

In regards to taste and nutrition, my diet seems to fulfill all sensory and nutritional needs.  The moose I have been eating tastes a great deal better than beef, and it is also very lean and high in protein.  Fish I harvest can provide many essential oils to keep my brain functioning and my skin and hair healthy, and since I am from an area that is not very polluted, I don’t have to worry about bioaccumulation of heavy metals, mercury, and other toxins.  However, once my moose stores run out, and once I am back in school after summer break, it will be very difficult to meet my protein needs.  Since school begins in early September, it overlaps many different hunting seasons in my area.

Cost is another matter that must be taken into account when examining my diet.  To harvest the moose I am currently in the process of consuming, I needed to purchase a firearm, ammunition, a hunting licence, gas for vehicles, and supplies for the hunting trip.  As well, my parents bought another freezer, since my mom became sick of my monopoly over our other one.  All these expenses add up, but considering the quality of the hunting experience as well as the quality of the meat harvested, I would say the benefits were well worth the costs.

Class Reflection #2

For my second reflection, I wanted to comment on zoos.  Zoos can be a great way to educate the public, as many people cannot afford to go to distant lands to learn about exotic animals.  This reduction in public ignorance can lead to more people desiring careers related to conservation, more donations to wildlife organizations, and a greater respect for the natural world.  However, is caging an animal ethical?  Perhaps it is, if the goal is rehabilitation prior to release back into the wild.  Although, many zoos are concerned more about profits and the enjoyment of visitors than animal welfare.  In this instance, caging animals is not ethical, no matter the size or species of animal.  Many of the animals in zoos are forced into pens much smaller than their home territory, as we have learned in class.  They experience a world very different from that which their wild counterparts are free to roam.  As well, I believe animals aren’t something we should cage and then make people pay to look at.  They should be allowed to be free, as nature intended.

There was once a time when I enjoyed visiting zoos, back when I was a little shorter and much more ignorant.  Now I would rather experience the wild instead of looking at caged animals.  I derive more personal benefit from going canoeing, hunting, or fishing in areas where entire days can pass without me seeing another human.  An animal in its natural environment can teach you more about its species than can an animal influenced by concrete and steel.  However, if everyone where to venture to unsettled lands and experience biology the way I personally prefer, added stress would produce negative effects on the land and its species.

Perhaps in the future regular zoos will be replaced by virtual zoos in which people learn from holograms and images of animals.  These virtual zoos would not have the same feel as seeing real animals, but we must realize that as the human population grows, we must take more care in regards to limiting environmental impact.  Perhaps virtual zoos would provide necessary education until we can live at peace with the environment.  Besides, people seem to really like television, so maybe they would not mind this change very much.

Nick

Blog #2 - Of Politicians and Tar Sands...

Nickolas Kosmenko



Reading Summaries

The following paragraphs summarize sections 4, 6, 15, 16, 26, and 28 from the book Environmental Studies, Third Edition (Easton 2009).

Section 4 – A Sand County Almanac

This section conveys the psychological change toward nature Aldo Leopold went through upon shooting a wolf and looking into its eyes as it died.  Prior to this event, Leopold was blind in his ways, believing more wolves only meant less deer for human consumption.  However, after the occurrence, he realized the folly associated with then-current wildlife management practices.  Leopold concluded an ethical relationship was lacking between man and nature.  For thousands of years, man had received benefit from the land, but had not developed an obligation to it.  An ethical relationship was missing, but was necessary and possible.

Today there is still a large disconnect from the land and a lack of intrinsic value for nature.  For an ethical relationship to occur, cooperation between man and nature must replace the dominant standpoint we have selfishly strived to maintain for centuries.  However, to facilitate such change requires that we overcome current educational and economic systems that are economically, and not ethically, based.

Section 6 – The Historical Routes of Our Ecological Crisis

This chapter examines man’s centuries of land exploitation in an attempt to discover when said exploitation began and how humanity can move toward a more environmentally ethical way of being. 

It is thought humanistic development – wherein scientific thinking married technological power – began as early as in the Middle Ages.  At this time, a new plough was developed with greater ability to tear soil.  The efficiency of this plough led to increased farming area, facilitating the start of a ceaseless pursuit of progress following the old style of thinking brought upon by Christianity, wherein humans are meant to rule over the land.  This Christian view lives on today, and combined with more technological developments and scientific knowledge, continues to be the poison the earth now suffers from.  The author speculates that since the cause of our ecological crisis stems from religion, so should the solution, and that we should accept the view of spiritual revolutionary Saint Francis, who believed all creatures are equal (Franciscanism).

Section 15 – More Profit with Less Carbon

Suggested in this section is the theory that implementing methods of climate protection would actually reduce costs of energy use, not raise them.  Today, many energy efficient products are on the market for less cost than that of their non-efficient counterparts, and many homes are saving energy by integrating these implements along with other measures throughout their entirety, which could also be done on a larger scale in factories and office buildings.  As well, to reduce the significant oil consumption and carbon emissions associated with transportation, it is believed manufacturers could incorporate into vehicles more lightweight material and new innovations in propulsion and aerodynamics without sacrificing comfort, safety, or affordability.  Further, the author suggests changing urban layout to allow for more walking and less driving, and using more renewables, as many countries have already began to adopt.  If these measures are taken, climate change will slow, and in the end, climate change is cheaper to fix than to ignore.

Section 16 – Reinventing the Energy System

On the outside, fossil fuels seem convenient, reliable, and affordable, which make them the dominant source of energy used today.  However, current trends indicate the beginning of a global energy transition away from fossil fuels.  In this passage, the author examines this movement.

Growing energy demands cannot be met by fleeting oil deposits.  As such, humanity is moving toward wind and solar power, with hydrogen fuel cells being a potential energy source.  In the future, it is believed each country, each being geographically different, will have its own way to naturally fulfill its power need, so no major importing or exporting will be required, thus limiting international crises.  These renewable sources are predicted to be especially productive in developing areas, as innovation in these countries is lacking but population is substantial.  If this occurs, global energy distribution would become more even.  However, even with all these improvements, the demand for energy is great and changes in values and lifestyle must be made if renewables are to be successful.

Section 26 – Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis

This section is part of a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which examines past, present, and future trends in climate across the globe including causes of trends.  In summary, the IPCC reported an exponential increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration over the past few decades resulting from fossil fuel use, agriculture, and anthropogenic land changes.  These gases have lead to increased global land and ocean temperatures, decreased snow cover at polar latitudes, decreased glacier size, rising ocean levels, changes in precipitation, wind patterns, and ocean salinity, and increases in quantity of extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones and heat waves.  Further, the IPCC predicts changes will continue into the future to an even greater extent than that which already exists.  In fact, warming would continue even if greenhouse gas emissions ceased immediately, as carbon dioxide takes a long time to remove from the atmosphere.   

Section 28 – Food Security: An Environmental Wakeup Call

Until now, many of the negative impacts humans have induced on the environment have occurred locally.  However, due to increasing damage, these effects will soon become global.  It is believed such global impacts will result in economic decline, shown by rising prices of grain, fish, and other foods as they begin to disappear.  These rising prices will not be accepted by society, and political upheaval will result. 

As the human population increases, cropland area and quantity of irrigation water per capita decrease, necessitating the need to confront the two most difficult obstacles in the path toward environmental sustainability: increasing human population and changes in climate.  Humanity must change its reproductive behaviour and become more energy efficient.  The latter can be achieved through protecting cropland, charging people for water, and lowering the demand for livestock and grain through taxes for consumption.  This wouldn’t solve the food problem indefinitely, but it would buy more time to stabilize human population.  To ensure secure food resources for the future, environmental degradation must cease.

Activity

For my activity, I chose to watch the video Being Caribou.  In this film, a husband and wife follow the Porcupine Caribou herd from Dawson City in Canada’s Yukon Territory to their calving grounds on the northern coast of Alaska, and part way back again.  The journey, which takes over 130 days starting in April to complete, was inspired by fear of potential impacts that would occur on the caribou herd if the United States decided to drill for oil near the northern Alaskan coast – an activity which has been discussed and debated for decades.  Along the journey, the two individuals learn a lot about the caribou herd including how much adversity the caribou must overcome in terms of not only the vast distance to be covered, but the numerous predators along the way, the extreme weather, and the clouds of mosquitoes, botflies, and other parasites.  As well, the travellers point out the fragility of the herd, and how even a slight disturbance causes large disruptions in migrational patterns.  Further, the video depicts the large quantity of animal activity that normally occurs in the area where drilling is desired.

Reflections

Activity Reflection

I thought the beginning of the film Being Caribou was very eye-opening in terms of providing insight into what type of leaders are being elected to run developed countries such as the United States.  Specifically, I am speaking in regards to the part of the film in which George Bush Sr. conveys his pro-drilling mentality, and how he would rather help feed society’s greed by providing yet more oil instead of take the environmentally ethical approach and letting the land be.  I believe the precise quote is, “I’m worrying about jobs for the American people.  I’ll go with the people, let them go with the caribou.”  One of the things that most confused me in this video occurred directly after this statement.  At this instant, for some reason the audience claps instead of throwing tomatoes and spewing profanity.  Nonetheless, the video proves the anthropocentric gene must run in the Bush family, as his son is later captured on video uttering similar blasphemy.  In this clip, George Bush Jr. is shown urging people to go to Alaska for a visit, saying they can determine how beautiful the land is once they’ve seen it, thereby implying it is some sort of wasteland.  Now, both George Bush Sr. and Jr. have likely visited many areas of the world, being the important individuals they are, but do you think they have ever travelled the path of the caribou?  Have they ever paddled up to a loon calling on a still lake, or conversed with a bull moose during the rutting season?  Have they ever seen through truly ethical, spiritual eyes granted to them by their Creator, or are they blinded by a title granted to them by man?  It is a pity this film doesn’t show George Jr.’s reaction to the caribou journey, as I am curious to see if the message got past the barrier that is his ego and desire to maintain his image.  It is a sad truth that people so lost in their ways can turn themselves off so easily to films, books, and others who preach environmental reverence.  Perhaps if George Sr. and Jr. followed those caribou, paddled up to that loon, or spoke with that moose, perhaps they would then understand that which cannot be put into words or captured on film… that which must be experienced.

One of the things I most like about Being Caribou is the hope it gives to those who choose to listen to their hearts instead of their greed.  The two journeyers in the film are obviously not the most skilled when it comes to outdoor living – as denoted by their choice of skis where snowshoes would be preferred, or their suggested failure to carry a firearm while following thousands of herbivores through bear country – but they show something many people lack: intrinsic value for something beautiful.  This film shows there are people out there willing to spend their lives working toward the best cause that can be worked toward, and it comforts me to know there are people like this.  When I was in college, one of my instructors mentioned how students in environmental programs should have personal therapists.  For the most part, people enrol in such programs following an interest and love they have for nature.  Hearing about environmental issues and seeing certain films pointing these issues out is hardest on those who truly care.  There is strength and comfort in numbers, and the bigger the group is, the less money you have to spend on a therapist.

Class Reflection # 1

One of the reflections I wanted to make is related to the terms anthropocentric, biocentric, and ecocentric, and where my loyalties lie in regards to the three.  The first term is easily ruled out for me, as I believe anthropocentric is another word meaning “truly and utterly lost”.  However, I am unsure as to whether I am biocentric or ecocentric.  I believe all organisms are important, as all are connected in some way, even though as humans we often don’t realize many of these connections.  However, I realize the overall functioning of an ecosystem is what makes the globe turn and what makes life on earth continue forward.  Perhaps I am more ecocentric than biocentric… but given the situation wherein I would have the job of eliminating an entire species to preserve an ecosystem’s function, I would definitely have a hard time.  In my heart I would want to look out for all species, but in my brain I would want to keep the functioning of the ecosystem in mind.  Where does one draw the line between heart and brain?

Class Reflection #2

For my second reflection, I comment on the questions, “Can parks meet their dual mandate of access and protection?  How can this be achieved in Wapusk National Park?”

At first, one may believe if the mandate is to protect an ecosystem, the public should not be involved, as historically the public has been known to mess things up.  For instance, in the past few decades, society’s demand for oil has increased, and many world leaders have strived to meet this demand.  Many world leaders feel the same way about sacrificing the environment as many university students feel about sacrificing a couple hours of sleep before the day of an exam: it takes its toll and disrupts a biological system, but by doing so, you may be able to fulfill your greed for oil… or marks.  Thus, many biological systems have become degraded.  Although, it is possible to protect an ecosystem while allowing humans to interact with it, but only if the humans doing the interacting truly value the ecosystem.  For instance, an ecosystem is like a bathroom… sort of… I suppose.  The manager of some public building may have a goal to keep a bathroom in the building clean, which is possible if people using the bathroom take care.  However, if there are disrespectful members of society allowed to use this bathroom, it will eventually become disgusting and require a major cleaning.  Therefore, one may conclude the best way for Wapusk National Park to protect polar bears is to prohibit human visitors entirely. 

Now, the above statement may seem reasonable, but through many related discussions over the past couple years, I have learned there is no easy answer to such a question.  The aforementioned solution comes at a price.  Wild areas are decreasing at an alarming rate – a fact well-known.  Therefore, it is getting harder for people to experience nature first-hand.  Experiencing, I believe, is the best way to learn… it is the difference between university and college.  Trying to develop an understanding of wildlife by reading books or watching films is like trying to learn how to do a specific job by going to university.  You may attain some understanding, but, if education is the sole consideration, any college student with the same number of educational years in his or her repertoire would likely beat you out of any job in his or her field of study due to greater accumulation of job-specific skills.  Therefore, less people will develop an intrinsic value for nature if disallowed to experience it first-hand, and it is this intrinsic value that is needed today.  In conclusion, there is no easy answer to this question, as there is no easy answer to most environmental questions.

Class Reflection #3

In class we learned about the Alberta tar sands project and a question arose from the lecture material that asked where we stood in regards to the continuation of the project.  I would like to see the tar sands project stopped altogether.  I realize the tar sands employ many people, but they are also responsible for annihilating a very significant quantity of wildlife habitat in Alberta, not to mention other associated impacts such as toxins in the meat of moose and fish existing in the vicinity.  I care not for what I can gain from natural ecosystems, save for feelings of peace and respite, but I care deeply for the freedom wild things deserve to remain wild and clean, as the Creator intended.  I would sooner see myself and the rest of the world suffer and allow freedom to what is truly good in this world than I would see the continuation of the world as, or worse than, it already is.

Nick