Course Debriefing- Journal Entry #7

This Colloquium course has not only provided me with more information on the environmental issues we are facing but how we can embrace these issues.  The field trips to Corkscrew, ECHO, and even Mantanzas (FMB) helped make these concepts of Florida's history and sustainability concrete.  Education of these problems is a big and important first step to getting people aware of what our world is facing.  Personally, I feel like I can try to reduce the amounts of plastic I use in my day to day routine, to purchase organic foods from local farmers, and even reduce the amount of energy I use both in my home and vehicle.  Academically, I feel that the videos and readings really brought my attention to groups of people or other countries who have started the sustainability process.  These readings and videos were interesting because they showed me different perspectives on each of the issues we covered.  Even the State of the World group project really made me thankful for what we are so lucky to have here in the United States compared to people in third-world countries.  This course hasn't really affected my major except for the fact that I really want to help animals around the world from these issues that we as people are facing and causing. If I had to pick something that I didn't like about the course it would be the fact that often I found myself leaving class depressed because of how deep these problems are rooted into our society and day to day life style.  However, I do realize that we do not live in a fairy tale world and that the reality is that things will soon get ugly if we don't start conserving and preserving our natural resources.  Overall, this course was really fun; I enjoyed the classmates, professor, fieldtrips, and in-class group activities.  The biggest thing I can take away from the course is that every step helps. Spreading the word about how we need to change our lifestyle is detrimental to our future! 

Shale Gas-Squeezing More Oil Out of Ground--Journal Entry #5

It is very scary thinking about the "what if's" and the problems that may occur with drilling here in the states.  Although I feel strongly about conserving and saving our environment and the life in it, I think the pro's out-weigh the con's of drilling and "shale gas".  As stated in the 60 Minutes video, America has the equivalent of two Saudi Arabia's of natural gas.  Why are we depending on foreign countries for oil and gas when we have it in our own backyard?  Yes, there are risks in doing so, but aren't there risks to everything we do in our daily lives? The drilling of a dense rock formation-shale is not the same as deep in our oceans. Yes, shale drilling has its mishaps but they are mainly caused my human error which can/should be improved.  Overall, the shale is a smarter route in my opinion because it will increase America's independency of other countries, provide more work and a better economy, and it will help in decreasing our carbon emissions!  It was also really cool reading about out nature creates the oil from dead microorganisms and vegetation over a period of time.  With technology maturity, this field is hoped to allow us to utilize our land more safely and efficiently.  Although it is costly, horizontal drilling with use of steam and pressure is a large step in the United States' progress.  The only question that always and still remains is how to drill our shale rock and land while avoiding wastefulness and pollution to the environment and those that live in it. 

Untold Stories of Fort Myers-Journal Entry #4

These videos were very informational and I found myself easily able to relate to this beautiful town. My grandparents, parents, and I were born and raised in Southwest Florida.  My grandma and father always tell me stories about how the city, beaches, and roads have changed because of the population growth and technology. I would not want to live anywhere else except right here in this city. My whole family is here local and I could never be away from this weather and the beautiful beaches! I do, however, feel ashamed in a way because I did not really feel obligated to learn much about the city's history. I really enjoyed the natives share their stories about downtown, Thomas Edison, war bases, and the growth that they have witnessed. Growing up here all my life made me feel "at home" while viewing the videos. I remember the stories my grandma told me about the $0.10 movie theatre tickets. It is really interesting to see how people started this town and how much it has evolved. I never knew that the city of Fort Myers was named after a Colonel in the war. Living only about 2 minutes from Downtown Fort Myers make me feel so fortunate because it truly is the heart of Fort Myers. I have attened St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church all of my life and have driven down McGregor Blvd. countless times before. I also take pride earning my Associates Degree at Edison State College because it was the first college in the area. I have enjoyed many plays in the Barbara B. Mann theatre and truly enjoyed listening to Barbara Mann speak about her childhood. I even know one of the speakers "Frank Pavese"; he and his family are distantly related to mine: D'Alssandro. I can even look back in the Pre-K and cherish the class trip we took to the Imaginarium. Fort Myers is an awesome city and I really enjoyed hearing about its growth and change in this documentary!!

Nature:The Natural Remedy-Journal Entry #3

It is unbelievable reading the percentages of children who are overprescribed doses of medications with related effects to methamphetamine and cocaine.  It is a very sad reality that many children suffer from this disorder; however, I find it very encouraging that studies prove nature truly helps with the disorder’s symptoms.  I think it is absolutely wonderful to shift the medication resolution to a more natural, healthy, and in my opinion, successful approach.  I found the opening story of Louv’s article very interesting and sad.  Yes, I agree in a strong academic curriculum but I have read about studies that prove children need the physical activity and interaction with other children for their overall health and motor skills.  I also believe that the developing technology is a wonderful and horrible thing at the same time.  So many children are indoors playing video games, watching television, and in front of the computer screens.  This means less time outdoors, less exercise, and less opportunity to visualize and experience the nature and beauty in our world.  Less experience leads to less awareness of its issues and the causes of these issues (us).  I really enjoyed the last part of Louv’s article.  I think experiences like the one that severely diagnosed ADHD teenagers experienced is a wonderful idea.  Medication and or consequences for these individuals with the attention disorder seems that it would only worsen their case.  Why not send them to a place like Kake, Alaska to get them out in the real and natural world. Here, they will learn life-ling lessons and let their eyes be opened to help change themselves and their world. (Pictured above are cracker cattle along side a mother Sandhill crane and her chicks; a very green and natural remedy)

My Sense of Place-Journal Entry #2

My current sense of place in life is something that has been building up as I experience and learn new things each day.  I have absolutely always loved to be in nature and outside, observing each kind of animal and plant there is.  I have a deep passion for animals, which I have had since I was very young.  Although I, like many other people, are ignorant of the many environmental issues and dangers, I have truly learned a lot about conservation, recycling, and keeping our streets and oceans clean of litter.  Last semester, at Edison State College, I took a trip to Costa Rica for a Leatherback Sea Turtle Ecology project.  I know I mentioned this trip in the previous blog but it is one that has truly changed my life and opened my eyes.  The trip made me realize that my current sense of place has no set guidelines. It showed me, firsthand, that there are so many people out there who are unaware of the threats that many species in our world, specifically the Leatherbacks, face due to our ignorance.  One day on the trip, we went to the mouth of the Pacuare River where we found plastic bottle, styrofoam, glass pieces, plastic bags covering the beach.  This was all run off pollution from a nearby hospital.  This goes on all over the world and has made me think twice about using a plastic water bottle instead of a reusable one, or how much food and water I am wasting with every meal or shower.  The world and every life source in it needs our help; my sense of place is to try and do as much as I can to preserve the many species and resources we are so lucky to have.  My sense of place has been derived from many educational experiences that I have been involved with.  I have volunteered in beach and road cleanups, I have been on a few field trips where I learned about so many different animals and the way they affect the rest of the food chain.  I am so excited to go on the different field trips in this Colloquium course to experience and learn new things!  (In the above pictures, I was picking up the trash on a beach in Costa Rica. We didn't have enough space or time to pick up all the trash, so we were told to make a turtle shape of the bottles to let the next group of people know that we had been there.)

Help Needed from All-Journal Entry #1

Reading Shiva's article was very aggravating to me because there is nothing worse than seeing many amazing species become endangered or extinct due to the selfishness and carelessness of the human race.  The numbers are devastating.  Although some do not have the same deep passion for the environment, animals, and plants, I would think that they would at least have the decency to try and put forth an effort to conserve our resources and be aware of the lives at stake.  It is unbelievable and incredible how our world works.  I admire the way Shiva words the idea that “Biodiversity is the very fabric of life”.  Without biodiversity, we lose the variety of plants and animals that help nourish the food chain and make our world thrive.  I have always been very passionate about animals and all life forms but I gained something else last year when I took a trip to Costa Rica for an ecology project to help save and study the endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle.  These and all of our world’s other amazing creatures deserve to live here, like Goodall mentions.  The ecology project made me aware of the many species’, both animals and plants, threat.  I enjoyed Goodall’s article more than Shiva’s because it shared many stories of people all over the world who went against the odds-who showed perseverance.  It sparked a fire inside me to try and think of ways to personally get out there and help save our Planet.  Goodall concludes, “Without hope nothing will change”.  It is a good feeling to know that each and every one of us has the power to pursue a better world with nature’s “resilience”.  The pictures above were taken on my trip to Costa Rica as we helped escort these beautiful tortugitas to their new world and also planted our very own trees.