Powerpoint... or Essay?

I will just say it like it is...

I absolutely HATE writing essays; what I want to say never accurately is portrayed through papers. Even after finally mustering up the strength to get through an entire essay, I feel as though the grader never fully comprehends what you are trying to say anyways.

Power points are much more cut and dry. I can highlight key idea and then speak my mind whenever I feel the need. It's kind of like stories. When you were little, would you have rather your parent read a story word for word to you or fabricate some type of story with personality and information, often times only prompted by the reaction you gave to them? I, personally, always enjoyed the second option over the first.

In my opinion, papers do not truly allow you to express yourself. Okay... maybe if you're one of those people who has always been exceptionally good at paper writing you may be able to, but for the average student in this class, papers do not really work. Power points provide the information that needs to be given while allowing for a visual stimuli that actually keeps the audience's focus.

Change

After a discussion in class about changing environmental conditions and Wilmington, NC, I figured it was appropriate to bring up Wrightsville Beach erosion. In the above picture, it is evident that the land is unnaturally changing. The beach is jutting out every which way as if there is a missing puzzle piece. This erosion is horrible in about every way possible. Popular spots along the beach are being ruined, the like the well-known "Wrightsville Beach mailbox". This is a mailbox that was once well into the sand dunes surrounded by trinkets left behind by those who chose to visit and even a small tree. Now the only thing left is just the mailbox stand; beach erosion has destroyed the ambiance of the place.

Also, wildlife, such as sea turtles are no longer aware of the layout of the beach from year to year when they return to lay their eggs. They lay them in their usual spots which are no longer protected, and many of the babies that would have survived do not even have a chance. Also, dunes that protect the million-dollar houses behind them are being destroyed and thus destroying beautiful property.

Religion and the Environment???

Coming from a general perspective, I think that religion tends to impact the environment in many different ways. The American Indian religion system believed in an extreme bond with the environment; they worshipped and respected the environment and believed that in return, it would give them what they needed at the right time. Many other religions, from the beginning of the existence of religion, have been highly focused on respecting the"'god" of the earth, many of which who are focused around the environment (god of rain, god of earth, god of growth, etc.) When properly practiced, religion and the environment can go hand in hand harmoniously, unless taken out of context.

Coming from a personal perspective, having a Christian faith, I personally think that there definitely is a correlation between the environment and religion. God teaches in the Bible about being good stewards of all that He has given us, which of course includes the environment. Abusing His creation is, in my opinion, not what He intended. He created the environment to provide for us and when mankind sinned against Him, we began using it in undesirable ways. We have free will to do as we please with the environment although many may try and respect it because it is a gift from their Creator. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, however, so I do not think it is right to judge people when they mess up or if they are not treating the environment how we personally think it should be treated. God is the only person who ultimately has the power to judge our decisions anyways. We are incapable of knowing exactly how He feels about this...

But regardless of religious background, we all tend to abuse the environment in some way or another. The most religious person may choose to drive a non-eco-friendly car, not recycle, and use tons of fertilizer on their lawn while a person who has no faith in religion whatsoever may recycle, ride a bike to work, and would never be caught dead using fertilizer on their lawn. Obviously a relationship to a higher power in any religion tends to make people question how they are living and what they are doing. In my opinion, life for something else other than the self tends to be a bit more intentional. Living life solely please yourself does not seem like a good way to live to me.

I think what it all comes down to is that fact that how one treats the environment ultimately becomes their decision. Their religion may have a direct impact in this decision, or it may not be something they even think about when considering the environment. If one believes that the environment was created by a higher power, than they are probably going to treat it as such and not trash what they are blessed to have. Once again, I definitely believe that the decision on when and how to incorporate religion and the environment should be taken on a case by case basis because this debate tends to be a personal one that means something different to each and every person.

Shit Yogis Say

Yoga is a rather foreign concept to me as I have only ever participated in a few yoga classes. However, the video was definitely humorous. I can imagine that those who watch it who enjoy participating in yoga were probably offended by this and would accuse its major of sterotyping. This applies to the the entire world in general in my opinion. If we are uncomfortable by something or do not find it interesting, we are easy to judge it and make fun of it, but if it is something that we enjoy as a pastime, then we hold it to a much higher place and probably would not make fun of it unless our friends were. Overall, the video was entertaining and something I would much rather watch in English class rather than a boring lecture...

"Towards Eco-Pedgogy"

Richard Kahn’s “Towards Eco-Pedgogy” is an informative essay that highlights much of what is discussed in class on a weekly basis: the environment. In my opinion, the essay is basically broken into three parts.

            The first section is Kahn’s argument that in order for us to even care about human relationships, we must first care about the environment. Caring about the environment says that we care about what is around us and therefore means that we can then be concerned about the people around us to a greater extent. Kahn also brings up the major point that we have a huge project in front of us to protect the environment by means of sustainability. If the environment has to be developed, then sustainability is how it needs to happen in order to do the most preservation possible.

            The second section is Kahn’s opinion that there is a general “illiteracy” about the nature of just how big the ecological catastrophe we are facing is. If we do not do something about it, then the future for the environment may prove to be very grim. If we do not directly see devastating effects than our children and grandchildren definitely will but that is not something that most people are even concerned about. He also brings up the idea that people want the environment to be fixed and are educated enough to take steps to do so, but they do not know the root cause therefore they have no way to fix it. When people feel they do not know all of the information for an issue, they hardly feel that they need to do something about it.

            Kahn’s third major section is the solution that he provides. He says that we do not simply just need environmental education, but we need means of sustainable development. The World Commission on Environment and Development says that sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Basically, we need solutions to fix the environmental crisis we currently have now without destroying more for future generations. Part of being conscious of the world around us is being mindful of those who will come after us.

            To go along with this, Kahn says that the institutions teaching environmental education need to be revamped. Many teachers that teach the material often either go over board and scare students out of wanting to do something about the environment or they treat it as if it is no big issue so students do not feel the need to be concerned. A happy medium needs to be found so that students are moved to act for their own personal reasons but are not forced into it. People are way more passionate about something if that come to a conclusion on their own behalf.

            Out of all the essays and articles we have had to read, Kahn seems much less “extreme” than many of the other authors. Because of this, it was much easier for me to take what he had to say into consideration. He himself embodies what he means by a revamp to the institutions teaching environmental education.