The Earth Charter

Respect and Care for the Community of Life

I believe this is a very important principle because every person should value not only each other, but also other life forms. If we built a community that was full of love and extremely peaceful, then we would have no true problems. This is something that all humans need to think about and adopt from the Earth Charter. I have a chance to try to secure Earth’s beauty and preserve it for future generations. I want my children and grandchildren to grow up with a sense of place that involves the natural world.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/gardencoach/giving-soil-the-respect-it-deserves

 

Ecological Integrity

One point that stuck out to me was managing our resources. This is extremely important and we should try to abide by this principle of using what earth gives us, but only to a certain extent that doesn’t hurt the ecosystems. We have been trying to reduce, reuse, and recycle for a while but that has not been fully adopted by every American. If we can show that this method helps safeguard Earth, then maybe people will partake in that process. Also, advancing the study of ecological sustainability will help relay information that can be beneficial to us.

 

http://www.decohubs.com/reuse-recycle/10952

 

Social and Economic Justice

Guaranteeing that everyone has food, water, and shelter is essential. Making sure individuals are educated, secure, and not ignored is something that I believe in. The other thing that makes this principle crucial is gender equality and no discrimination. These two issues are what we have been facing for a long time and they should be put to an end. We should honor and support all people of different race, sex, or religion. We are all in this together, and if we can become a unit then we may be able to help our suffering Earth.

http://www.icytales.com/want-equality/

Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace

All individuals should be able to participate in meaningful decisions, and every community needs to strengthen their environmental care. Of this principle, I think that treating all living beings with respect is what is lacking in today’s world. We should protect each other, wild animals, and domestic animals from any cruelty they may receive. We should also take a page out of Gandhi’s book and promote nonviolence, only peace. Using peace as our stepping stone, we may eliminate all danger to humans and Earth.

http://www.peaceoverviolence.org/

Plan B 4.0 (Chaper 3- Climate Change)

What is truly causing Earth’s temperature to rise?

The biggest problem is that humans are allowing more greenhouse gases to be emitted. These gases include: Nitrogen Oxide, Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor, and Methane. Carbon Dioxide is one of the dangerous gases that was depicted in the video clip from class with Leonardo DiCaprio. This gas comes from burning fossil fuels like oil and coal in particular. They say it is hard to predict what might happen to each region of the Earth if it gets warmer. The glaciers might melt, more evaporation may take place, and sea level may rise. Now that we know that humans are a part of the problem, we need to fix that. There are things that we can do besides educate and raise awareness. We must act and start changing our ways before Earth becomes unpredictable.

https://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=2&secNum=4

What will happen if the ice melts around the world?

When temperatures rise, glaciers melt faster than they can produce new snow. Over the last fifty years, glaciers have been melting at a faster rate than ever before. If this continues, then the ice may completely disappear. This can be harming to many species of animals who call the glaciers their home. This will also make sea level rise, which can be extremely dangerous to people living near these areas. Greenhouse gas emissions are the ones causing this problem. The effects of glaciers melting will harm many individuals and animals. It can also ruin many people’s sense of place. The glaciers are a beautiful part of our world and we need to do whatever we can to save them.  

http://pcmreviews.com/news/2012/02/to-the-arctic-3d-in-imax-theaters-april-20/

What will happen to crops if temperatures rise?

The extreme changes are causing crop loss. Weather events that are abnormal in some areas are bringing in insects and diseases that are unfamiliar to that region. Certain crops will no longer be able to grow with rising temperatures. This causes farmers to have to change the way they irrigate them or they have to find a new area to grow that specific crop. If you think about it, crops that are unable to grow will cause farmers’ wealth to decline. If they have no money, they cannot buy food or even grow any for that matter. The consumer will also suffer because they will not be able to buy crops from the farmers. Greenhouse gases that are causing this temperature change will damage many crops in different regions, and individuals will suffer.

 

http://www.pxleyes.com/photography-contest/21032/artistic-crops-2.html

 

 

Plan B 4.0 (Preface/Chapter 1)

“The first trend of concern is population growth.” (Brown 5)

I believe that population is a problem we are all facing. With the added growth of population, the environment continues to suffer. More people equals more consumption, more erosion, and more irrigation problems. Certain areas of the world are becoming overly populated and we never choose to use these individuals as an asset for the environment, instead we hurt it more. With an increase in population also comes more automobiles, which pollutes the air. When I was younger, everyone rode their bike to school on Earth Day to try to make a statement and show how a small change can help pollution. Population growth is a large concern as more resources are being used to satisfy mankind and balance out the number of people.

https://www.populationmedia.org/2011/04/01/good-cartoon/

“As the number of failing states grows, dealing with various international crises becomes more difficult.” (Brown 23)  

I do not believe that international crises become more difficult with the increasing number of failing states. I think individuals or governments lacking peacefulness affects the way international troubles are worked out. If more people agreed on economic progress, the flow of raw materials, politics, and maintaining resources, then crises would be minimized. Failing states may not help the problem, but they are not the only thing tied to international difficulty. If more individuals agreed on finding a way to better their society then complication would be diminished. Cooperation is the key to dealing with obstacles that may stand in the way, and international crises can be subsided with this small idea.     

http://www.en.idpi.ba/

“One of the little noticed characteristics of land acquisitions is that they are also water acquisitions.” (Brown 11)

This statement is hard to comprehend because it’s tough to envision land acquisitions being directly related with water acquisitions. Why would water be a purchase characteristic of land? The only thing that may make sense is when you purchase a piece of land, you also get the water resources on that land. This would connect the two ideas and make them interchangeable. Some pieces of land may be irrigated with a river by it, or even fed by rain. For example, if you acquired land in Africa by the Congo River then that would be included with helping irrigation. This statement seems to be a little confusing and hard to understand how two separate acquisitions are characteristics of each other.

http://www.alwt.org/whatwedo/landacquisition.shtml

Biodiversity

“All life forms have an intrinsic worth and a right to evolve freely on their own terms.” (Shiva 40)

I could not agree more with this statement that every form of life should be able to live freely. Humans are species, just like all of the other living things in the world, and we evolve without being affected by other life forms. On the other hand, humans push species to extinction by manipulating their environment in some way. It is not right to alter evolution just because we are greedy and have no concern for the well-being of other living things. It is unethical and goes against the rights and duties theory that every living organism has a right to live. So, we are required to have a duty to protect that right and foster a secure home. 

http://cornwallfreenews.com/2012/04/earth-matters-by-jacqueline-milner-making-sustainable-choices-april-9-2012/

“This monoculture of the mind destroys biodiversity by blocking the perception of the multiple benefits and uses of biodiversity.” (Shiva 57)

I believe that monoculture of the mind doesn’t necessarily destroy the viewpoint of biodiversity. What is really destroying biodiversity is human interaction, and how we are uneducated about its benefits and uses. I think that the perception is ruined because each child is not learning how important biodiversity is to this world. Mankind continues to make the same mistakes and we build a wall of uneducated thoughts that restricts us from seeing the need for biodiversity. When I was a kid, I was not one-hundred percent educated on this subject, but I knew that we needed different species and a diverse world to stay productive. I disagree that monoculture of the mind is destroying the perception of biodiversity.   

 

http://www.publishyourarticles.net/knowledge-hub/environmental-studies/essay-on-the-importance-of-biodiversity/3194/

 

“During the past forty years, crop loss to insects alone has nearly doubled, despite a tenfold increase in the amount of pesticides applied.” (Shiva 47)

It is hard for me to comprehend this statement because if pesticides are being sprayed, then the amount of crop loss to insects should decrease. I am not sure if this is an effect from the growing uniformity of crops, but all signs could point to this as the culprit. The possibility of an increase in pests from the lack of diversity could be killing the crops. That means that not only are we spraying unhealthy pesticides, but we are also getting insects that are killing the crops no matter what. I have never really been around agriculture so I wouldn’t know the problems of having uniformity, but I definitely do not understand the increase of insects. Diversity does more than we can imagine, and this statement is a testament to that. 

https://www.tyrantfarms.com/the-new-american-yard-monoculture-grass-farm-or-organic-food-farm/

Silent Spring

“Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species –man– acquired significant power to alter the nature of this world.” (Carson 153)

I couldn’t agree more with this statement, because humans are so powerful in today’s world that they can alter even the most beautiful form of scenery that we have. People alter nature by building on it, polluting it, and creating habitat modification. As a child, I had this forest near my neighborhood where my friends and I would play. It was a place where we all felt comfortable, and where our imagination could soar. Like humans always do though, it was torn down and built into a shopping center. Man has the power, but how he uses it is what matters most. We should be using our power for good and not for evil. Nature is a precious thing to waste and we are slowly but surely destroying every last bit of it.

http://www.seppo.net/cartoons/displayimage.php?pid=821

“For time is the essential ingredient; but in the modern world there is no time.” (Carson 154)

I think time is how each individual views it. The modern world may seem busy for some, but I have to disagree that there is no time. Most people feel stressed out and they think they have no time to do anything valuable for themselves. On the other hand, the individuals who care about relaxation and nature will feel like they have all the time in the world to reflect. If time is the essential ingredient then we should be using it to the fullest. I have felt like 24 hours in a day wasn’t enough for me to get stuff done, but then I make sure that I always give myself some time to unwind. There is definitely enough time in the modern world to appreciate God’s creation, and savor it.  

 

http://nuim.libguides.com/timechange

 

 

 

“Disease carrying insects become important where human beings are crowded together, especially under conditions where sanitation is poor, as in time of natural disaster or war or in situations of extreme poverty and deprivation.” (Carson 157)

 

It is hard for me to comprehend this statement because I would think that disease carrying insects would never be seen as important, especially where humans are. If there was a crowded area of people with poor sanitation then you would not want insects with diseases to be able to infect that many individuals. The only importance it may have is to bring attention to poor areas where deprivation is a problem. I have been around insects, and it is not the greatest thing. I can only imagine having disease carrying insects flying around and then trying to kill them off with dangerous chemicals. This statement is hard to understand because of the importance that it portrays.

 

 

http://practicalhorsemanmag.com/article/health-update-weather-changes-affecting-horse-health-hay-supply

 

 

 

 

The Nature of the Everglades

“The water is timeless, forever new and eternal.” (Douglas 129)

I can relate to this statement because water, to me, is seen as timeless. I used to always go down to the river by my neighborhood and look at my reflection. Every time I looked at it, I was aging but the water never got older. It has eternal youth and that is why I enjoyed being around it. Eternal youth was something I couldn’t have, but wanted to see. Water is always new and refreshing, and that is what I wanted my life to be like every day. Each time I watched the water glisten in the sun, I felt closer to the world and nature itself. I believe that the Everglades brings the aspect of life everlasting to all of us.  

 

http://brianraymondking.com/2015/07/reflection-isnt-only-for-water/

 

 

“Only one force can conquer it completely and that is fire.” (Douglas 111)

 

This statement is meaningful to me because it needs to be brought to the forefront. Fire is not the only thing that can destroy the Everglades’ grass, people do too. Humans always seem to invade beautiful places, like the Everglades, to use it for their own ideas. We have the power to destroy acres and acres of land to create buildings, roads, and other facilities. A friend of my family is a contractor and he has repeatedly built on land, which I believe should have stayed untouched. This is a topic that continues to be overlooked and if we don’t address it, then the next generation is going to be affected. Humans tend to encroach on places that should be made sacred for the breathtaking view of God’s creation.  

 

http://www.marpal.co.uk/service/cdm-consultants/

 

 

 

“Here the rainfalls more powerfully and logically than anywhere else upon the temperate mainland of the United States.” (Douglas 112)

 

This is relatable because we get hit by hurricanes here in Florida quite often. Rain falls hard in some areas, but not like it does in the Everglades. Like many other people, I have been affected by hurricanes before. All of these instances had powerful rain and wind that caused nature to be destroyed. I remember being a part of Hurricane Jeanne in 2004 at home with my family. It was a category 3 and the rainfall hit about 10.22 inches in some places. Even though hurricanes are dangerous, we must look at it from a positive perspective. The rain may be powerful in the Everglades, but it is also logical because it helps keep everything alive.  

 

http://www.hdnicewallpapers.com/Monsoon-Wallpapers/2

 

 

 

 

 

A Land Ethic

“The usual answer to this dilemma is ‘more conservation education.’” (Leopold 63)

I believe that making progress with conservation starts and ends with education. The only way we can learn as humans is if we are taught something or are engaged in it. I never truly had a class on conservation, or even nature until I came to college. I believe that if we want to stride toward a better ecological world, then we must educate the children. Taking a conservation class or something related to that will open up children’s perspective and sense of place about the land they live on. If I was more educated on this subject at a younger age, I would have had a voice and a knowledgeable opinion about the way we should be preserving earth’s surface.
 

http://djaniwildlife.co.za/images/

 

“He has no vital relation to it; to him it is the space between cities on which crops grow.” (Leopold 75)

I cannot comply with the idea that all truly modern individuals see the world like this. To an extent, some people are uneducated about our land and how we should appreciate it. It is not right to suggest that people living in this modern era do not try to conserve nature and protect it at all costs. I believe that you can never outgrow land because it is our only life source that provides us with just about everything. All people do not conform to the ideas that machines should be processing crops and synthetic products should be replacing originals. Thinking of land as added space between the more important cities is not the dramatic perception that individuals develop.   

 

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/photos/urban-farming/

 

“Theoretically, the mechanization of farming ought to cut the farmer’s chains, but whether it really does is debatable.” (Leopold 76)

It is hard to comprehend that a statement as strong as this is debatable. If more mechanization can help farmers be more productive, then it should not be controversial. Mechanized agriculture has decreased manual labor and reduced the use of working animals. This should cut the ties of restriction on farmers and allow them to create a place where they can farm, but at an effective rate. A friend of my family was a farmer and I believe that he would not even question the fact of feeling less confined if he were able to use mechanized farming tactics to finish his job. This statement is hard to understand the negatives or the opposing side to this lop-sided debate that machines would alleviate the restraint on farmers.   

 

http://www.fromholland.info/agricultural-machines/

 

Service Learning Proposal

Name of Student: Jeanie Verderese

Major: Business Management (Sports Concentration)

College: FGCU (College of Business)

Section: University Colloquium

Date: September 9, 2015

Service Learning Venue:  Saint Nicholas Monastery

                                            Arranged Service With: Mother Andrea

                                            Address: 1340 Piney Road

                                                           North Fort Myers, FL 33903

                                            Website: http://www.saintnicholasmonastery.org/

Describe the Activity: This beautiful Monastery sits on an eleven acre property which is said to be messy due to the rainy season. My group and I would pick one area and try to clean it up the best we can so that when winter comes they will have that particular area under control. There is a large field that needs to be cleared of weeds, and they need help processing beeswax. If we can fix up this environmental area they will be able to create their Bible Herbs Garden.

 

Are you working in a group or alone? I will be working in a group with my fellow classmates, Taylor Wade and Makenzie Hanle.

How does this schedule fit into your schedule? I have a busy schedule due to FGCU softball. This schedule will fit as long as I am working on Wednesday mornings, Thursday and Friday evenings, or on Sunday. Even though I have limited time slots available, I will do my best to serve the environment during any hour that I am free. I am fortunate that Mother Andrea stated that the days are flexible for them and they are willing to work around my schedule.

How will the service benefit the organization you serve? Saint Nicholas Monastery is Christian Orthodox and they value giving the word of the Lord. They are trying to create an environment that is beautiful and full of life, including a Bible Herbs Garden. Our service to this organization will help tremendously, especially during this wet season. They are in need of nature clean-up and the creation of a garden. We can help them complete their goals faster and be one with the environment.

Will this service enrich your understanding of the material covered in this class? How? This service will most definitely enrich my understanding of the material covered in class. It will also follow along with the goals and outcomes for this course. I will gain a sense of place when I am out in the eleven acre property filled with different ecological features that I will be fixing and cleaning. I will be analyzing Southwest Florida while I am providing my service, and I will see some of the environmental challenges that organizations face with the wet season. I will develop my own eco-friendly perspective and help my community in doing so. The services that I will provide for Saint Nicholas Monastery will enrich my learning and understanding of Colloquium.

Other comments, questions, concerns?  I am excited to start this service learning project and help the environment to the best of my ability with some of my friends.

 

 

https://www.emaze.com/@AOTLCTIR/im-here-

 

 





 

 



 

 

 



Nature-Deficit Disorder

“Ironically, the detachment of education from the physical world not only coincided with the dramatic rise in life-threatening childhood obesity but also with a growing body of evidence that links physical exercise and experience in nature to mental acuity and concentration.” (Louv 2)

I believe that the lack of nature associated with education has played a role in obesity of children. As a kid, the best time I had in school was the short recess break that we actively participated in. This gave us a chance to be outdoors and take a break from the stress of learning, testing, and reading. The longer we were able to exercise and play, the better we were able to concentrate in the classroom. I genuinely feel sorry for the next generation who is getting their recess cut, or is able to bypass their P.E. course. I am blessed that I was able to experience the physical world during my education and gain an appreciation for nature and what it’s worth.



http://www.nickersoncorp.com/2014/05/success-recess-playground-safety/

“Attention-restoration theory applies to everyone, regardless of age.” (Louv 7)

Attention-restoration theory means that after people spend time in nature or looking at natural scenery, they will concentrate better. I cannot conform to the thought that this theory applies to everyone. Many people suffer from biophobia, or the dislike of nature, and they would not benefit from their time spent outside. This theory may help some of the population with their concentration, but not all. In this generation, people may focus better after a short break of doing something that they enjoy, no matter what that may be. It does not have to be nature for everyone to grasp a sense of calming or peacefulness. I think that the attention-restoration theory applies to some individuals, but not to everyone. 

http://naturesacred.org/why-are-we-less-stressed-in-green-spaces/

“Critics charge that often-prescribed stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines (Dexedrine), though necessary in many cases, are overprescribed, perhaps as much as 10 to 40 percent of the time.” (Louv 3)

It is hard to believe that drugs as strong as these are being overprescribed for a disorder that pertains mainly to children. If doctors know of alternative treatments that obtain fewer side effects, then they should be offering those instead. An example would be behavioral therapy or spending more time outdoors. This can allow a child to gain a sense of tranquility and will help them concentrate better. If parents are aware of prescription drug dangers, then any remedy for ADHD should be their first choice. I see how it may be possible that doctors are prescribing these medications right away because they have worked in the past. However, I still find it difficult to believe that it is being overprescribed ten to forty percent of the time.

http://www.avartawellness.com/six-dangerous-prescription-drugs/

Biophilia vs. Biophobia

“Third, I think we can safely surmise that biophilia, like the capacity to love, needs the help and active participation of parents, grandparents, teachers, and other adults.” (Orr 200)

I believe that every child can use a little guidance in their life, especially when it comes to nature and the idea of biophilia. As a child, I vividly remember the stories that my parents and grandparents told me about their childhood and their love for nature. With their guidance, I was able to develop my own appreciation for the outdoors. My imagination soured as I spent most of my time learning about our mysterious world. The information that you learn as a child can remain with you throughout adulthood and that is what happened to me. I was taught to appreciate God’s creation and still to this day I thank my parents and grandparents for teaching me that.



http://littlecherubs.im/parents/

 

“Biophobia is not OK for the same reason that misanthropy and sociopathy are not OK.” (Orr 191) 

I think there is a sizable difference between being uncomfortable in nature and being psychotic or full of hatred toward humans. Biophobia is a problem that is considered to be more common in people brought up in the technological age. It is a phobia that enjoys manmade over naturally made and sees nature only as resources. Biophobia is not good because it is killing off what we have left on this earth in which we call nature. Misanthropy is the hatred of humankind and sociopathy is a person with a psychopathic background that is often considered a criminal. These two ideas are unfavorable because they lead to the death or distaste of humans. I think that biophobia, misanthropy, and sociopathy are all unacceptable, but not for the same reasons.

 

http://brightngreen.com/earth-day-2015/

 

 

“Moreover, it is possible to adopt the language and guise of biophilia and do a great deal of harm to the earth, knowingly or unknowingly.” (Orr 193)

 

It is hard to understand how a person who embraces biophilia still harms the earth, especially knowingly. Biophilia is the love of the living world and the interaction between human and nature. Growing up, my grandparents embraced the language of biophilia, but sometimes unknowingly broke that connection. At times, we fall into the trap of inconsistency and find ourselves in need of a reminder to stay true to our beliefs. As a result, I see how it is possible that we may unintentionally harm the only bit of nature that we have left. However, I still find it hard to comprehend how biophilia activists can consciously damage the one thing they love, the Earth.

 

http://imagebasket.net/866-picture-of-hands-holding-the-earth.php?pics=true