Blog 10- 3/28/11

                So my ecological footprint did not turn out so well. If everyone lived like me we would need four planets to sustain us. This is not good news. I didn’t think that I was so wasteful or eco unconscious. There has to be a change here, not only in my own habits but in others’ as well because I’m sure they ended up with discouraging results as well.

                After I explored different scenarios, I ended up with an eco foot print of 3.5. Not bad for just a few changes I guess, but I want it to be lower. The things I could do to reduce my foot print are eating less animal products, buying products that use less packaging or are 100% recycled, making sure all my appliances are energy star rated, and pledging to take a local vacation instead of flying somewhere this year. I believe all of these things are pretty doable in my life so I think I may actually try to take these steps. I mean…it can’t possibly hurt anything to try!

                I’m not sure how many people the Earth could sustain if everyone lived like me (assuming they need 4 planets too) because I could not find it anywhere on the calculator website. I’m sure it would be a relatively low number because four planets is outrageous for everyone to “use” in their lives. I hope that through this activity our class decides to make a change in the way they live. If we all do some things to better the Earth it will add up!

 

Blog 9- 3/21/11

Energy will always be needed so it should make sense that we try to conserve it or find a way to use other methods that won’t deplete what the Earth has left.  We rely so much on fossil fuels these days that it is hard to imagine using some other form of energy. For what it is worth, I think energy it too expensive! But that is probably the view of every American out there. In reality the energy that is left is probably priced too low. If something is rare and in high demand…the price usually goes up. That is what is happening to fossil fuels. But in all honesty I hope it does not go up too much, then I won’t be able to afford it!

Conservation is not a dirty word to me. I think it is a word of beauty and intelligence. I learned today that Jimmy Carter basically said if you are cold put on a sweater instead of turning the heat up. I think this is a great idea! I do this all the time when it is cold, and when it is hot I just wear shorts and tank tops. It’s worth it to me to dress accordingly instead of messing with the temperature of my house. I’m one person; I do not need an entire house cooled to the point of me being comfortable, I can just dress more for the occasion. I would say to Jimmy “Cardigan” good job trying to get this point across. Too bad that Americans are not as receptive as the two of us!

I believe we should be looking more into alternative energy sources because fossil fuels are going to run out eventually. Maybe not in my lifetime, but probably in my kids or grandkids lifetimes. I do not want them to suffer because of what we did in this generation. If I had to pick one alternative energy source to put on a pedestal, I would have a very difficult time. They all have their benefits as well as pitfalls. I think I would have to say harnessing the tide would be one of the top sources of renewable energy. The mechanisms can be placed anywhere where there is a good tide. There would be the loss of the aesthetic component for beach dwellers, but I think that is something that can be sacrificed.

As for myself, I can reduce my energy intake immediately. I can take shorter showers, only wash full loads of clothes, use the dishwasher less, dress more “appropriately” in my house so I don’t have to change the temperature, and I can unplug everything I am not using. In the next five years I can try to switch my truck to a more eco-friendly ride that gets higher gas mileage. I can even ride my bicycle more to places that are close by instead of driving.

Blog 8- 3/14/11

I think that climate change is party anthropogenic and partly natural. Of course humans are producing carbon and other pollutants into the environment, but so is nature. Plants and animals alike produce carbon and have been for billions of years. I believe there is a self correcting nature to the Earth and how ecosystems interact with each other that will eventually kick in to right the wrongs of everybody. This by no means is me saying ‘I love polluting the Earth and it doesn’t matter what we do’ but rather I believe if we make an effort to change, so will the Earth.

It is extremely hard to find a source that is credible, in my opinion. For every study that finds one outcome, there is another that finds the opposite! So how are we supposed to know which studies are the most correct and credible? Also, people are very biased when it comes to big issues like climate change. It is hard to find information that is neutral on the subject; it’s either one way or the other. So as of right now I do not know of any credible sources for information on climate change.

                In the media, I find a lot of people and organizations saying that climate change is going to be the death to us all, including the animals. They are filled with sad pictures of polar bears struggling to hang on to ice or of the natural environment losing its beauty. The media is very biased in this sense. I feel like they are making a mountain out of a mole hill though; playing on everyone’s emotions, including mine! This portrayal has not really altered my way of life. What has really changed how I use energy and spend money are the classes I have had at school. I have learned a lot from this Colloquium class, as well as the Earth and Spirit class I am taking. They have taught me alternative measures of energy use, better eating habits that support the local economy, and resources to learn more.

                As for the future, my kids and their kids will probably see some effects of climate change, whether it be manmade or natural. However, I don’t think they will be struggling for survival. With the new green movements that are taking hold and the stronger focus in education on sustainability, I think it will become easier and easier for people to slowly reduce their carbon footprint which will lead to a better and more beautiful world. :)

 

Blog 7- 2/28/11

The eucalyptus tree is a very common tree in Australia along watercourses. There are 800 species of eucalyptus trees, but only three or four are common in Australia. The tree is medium size to tall size and can reach ages of up to 1000 years! They are perennial, which means the tree will live for more than two growing seasons, and single stemmed. The tree is most commonly found along riverbanks where there is heavy clay soil. It is also common in floodplains and can be found in the creeks of valleys. In Australia, the eucalyptus is a dominant tree, usually the only tree in one area although it can cohabit with other species. The tree is pollinated by insects, birds, and small animals and flowers from late spring to mid-summer.

The eucalyptus provides both intrinsic and extrinsic values. Historically and culturally the tree is important because of the Aboriginal sites found around and within them. It is also useful to stabilize the riverbanks because of the root systems the trees have. The eucalyptus is important to reduce flooding and holding the soil in place. The hollows in the trees provide habitats for hundreds of different species of animals and birds. During flooding season, the trees are a wonderful place for fish breeding. Eucalyptus tree bark and wood are used for craft purposes, firewood, fence posts, decks, and charcoal among other things.

As with any new plan, there are costs and benefits to planting a genetically modified version of the eucalyptus tree. It can be used to reduce flooding, reduce erosion, provide habitats and shade, and become a breeding ground for different animals and fish. It can also be harvested for a variety of different tasks because it is a hard and dense wood. However, introducing a new species will interrupt the existing ecology of different areas. Since it has a new resistance to cold snaps, the tree could spread far north, taking over habitats up there and killing native plants and animals along the way. I do not think the costs outweigh the benefits because it has the potential to ruin the biodiversity we have left today. I don’t think it would be a good idea to bring this tree to any part of the United States.