I found it very interesting how the current ecological/nature views in the United States come to be. I had no idea that the Puritans had so much influence on the early view of nature. I found it sad that they would think that everything was "evil" and tried destroying anything they didn't understand. Of the readings, I really enjoyed the stories of Farley Mowat and Aldo Leopold. I enjoyed these two stories more than the rest because I really enjoy learning about wildlife and people's experiences with wild creatures. Although the Leopold story was a little more depressing, it was educational. The men had killed the wolves, but it offered Leopold an opportunity to learn the real reason for their existence and understand the vital role they play in nature. This helped lead him to trying to better peoples' perspective on natural predators in ecosystems. The Mowat story was a little more humerus. Mowat was in the wilderness, expecting that everything was against him. But after encountering the wolves, he realized that they were just as curious about him as he was frightened of them. He soon learned that the wolves would respect him if he respected their space and role they fulfilled. Because of both of their hard work in educating people, I believe nature is finally beginning to be respected. Although I believe we have a long ways to, I also believe our society's way of thinking is changing for the better. Today, wolves are coming back from the brink of extinction, and returning to their role as predators in one of our most well-known national parks: Yellowstone! I found this picture at http://billingsgazette.com.
I believe in global climate change, but I know there are people that do not. This week I wanted to explore why some people are SO certain that this is a huge hoax. Attached above is a YouTube of a segment by Glenn Beck making his case as to why global climate change is a hoax.
After watching it I can see why the American public is so confused. They did name something that is a problem--the media's portrayal of global climate change. They make it scary and immediate. What is wrong with that is people just learn to be afraid. They also then expect to see the immediate changes (which in most cases the signs of global warming take time--and by the time they are here it may be to late). So instead of scaring people into believing in global warming, it would be better to educate people. Educate people both factually on how this is not a hoax, but also give hope that change is possible. Then start informing people on what they can do. The next step that should be taken is to have the public call for industrial and corporate change. Global warming (I'm sorry to say) is not going to be reversed by people recycling their water bottles. It is going to be changed when companies stop polluting the air with fossil fuels. We need to take care of our environment, but we need to show people why and teach them how.
Do people think it would be more effective to have stricter policy to regulate the industrial and corporate aspect? Also, you say that it's not going to be changed by people recycling bottles, I agree, but in reality if everyone were to make changes it would make a huge impact, but people don't seem to willing to change, they think it is all on the large corporations. However, most people don't understand that their consumerism is what allows the corporations to do what they do and with more policies in place those products aren't going to be as affordable and a lot of people would argue against that. It's a tricky topic.
I found it very interesting how the current ecological/nature views in the United States come to be. I had no idea that the Puritans had so much influence on the early view of nature. I found it sad that they would think that everything was "evil" and tried destroying anything they didn't understand. Of the readings, I really enjoyed the stories of Farley Mowat and Aldo Leopold. I enjoyed these two stories more than the rest because I really enjoy learning about wildlife and people's experiences with wild creatures. Although the Leopold story was a little more depressing, it was educational. The men had killed the wolves, but it offered Leopold an opportunity to learn the real reason for their existence and understand the vital role they play in nature. This helped lead him to trying to better peoples' perspective on natural predators in ecosystems.
ReplyDeleteThe Mowat story was a little more humerus. Mowat was in the wilderness, expecting that everything was against him. But after encountering the wolves, he realized that they were just as curious about him as he was frightened of them. He soon learned that the wolves would respect him if he respected their space and role they fulfilled.
Because of both of their hard work in educating people, I believe nature is finally beginning to be respected. Although I believe we have a long ways to, I also believe our society's way of thinking is changing for the better. Today, wolves are coming back from the brink of extinction, and returning to their role as predators in one of our most well-known national parks: Yellowstone! I found this picture at http://billingsgazette.com.
Sorry guys, the picture didn't work!
Deletehttp://youtu.be/Io-Tb7vTamY
ReplyDeleteI believe in global climate change, but I know there are people that do not. This week I wanted to explore why some people are SO certain that this is a huge hoax. Attached above is a YouTube of a segment by Glenn Beck making his case as to why global climate change is a hoax.
After watching it I can see why the American public is so confused. They did name something that is a problem--the media's portrayal of global climate change. They make it scary and immediate. What is wrong with that is people just learn to be afraid. They also then expect to see the immediate changes (which in most cases the signs of global warming take time--and by the time they are here it may be to late). So instead of scaring people into believing in global warming, it would be better to educate people. Educate people both factually on how this is not a hoax, but also give hope that change is possible. Then start informing people on what they can do. The next step that should be taken is to have the public call for industrial and corporate change. Global warming (I'm sorry to say) is not going to be reversed by people recycling their water bottles. It is going to be changed when companies stop polluting the air with fossil fuels. We need to take care of our environment, but we need to show people why and teach them how.
Do people think it would be more effective to have stricter policy to regulate the industrial and corporate aspect? Also, you say that it's not going to be changed by people recycling bottles, I agree, but in reality if everyone were to make changes it would make a huge impact, but people don't seem to willing to change, they think it is all on the large corporations. However, most people don't understand that their consumerism is what allows the corporations to do what they do and with more policies in place those products aren't going to be as affordable and a lot of people would argue against that. It's a tricky topic.
ReplyDelete