Plan B Ch. 10 / Earth Charter

Plan B Ch. 10

http://www.berkeley.edu/news2/2012/06/tipping350.jpg

"In effect, we are in a race between political tipping points and natural tipping points" (Brown, 243).
I agree with the text that in order for action to take place, people are more inclined to wait until resources reach their tipping point. The fine line between the political tipping point and nature's tipping point can be catastrophic if the issue goes unaddressed. Society should make a stronger effort to alleviate its negative impact on the environment before the effects become irreversible. If we tackle the major tasks of reducing our carbon footprint, seeking alternative energy technology, and eliminating fossil fuel consumption, we can begin to positively impact the Earth and its sensitive ecosystems.


Earth Charter
1. Respect and Care For the Community of Life

http://api.ning.com/files/yMSh3HuRyapgYqHny9KKihtFwv7ubTgerxChZ-Kkv1-**NrL4kpKyIBo27p8rBjjjRPeOooyQ6EA8YJ1kuWTbV2tgzeDtk1-/clearglobestream.jpg

"Recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings." This principle ties into the class discussion on which organisms are valuable to the Earth and which ones are not. Just because we can't visually observe the effect of one organism doesn't mean it lacks value to the surrounding environment. Also, the biodiversity pyramid that we observed several times throughout the semester illustrates how organisms are dependent upon one another in order to thrive and be successful in nature. As you go up the pyramid only 10% of the energy is obtained by the organism, 90% is recycled into the environment in the form of heat.

2. Ecological Integrity

http://image.slidesharecdn.com/slidesearthcharterpilar2en-140515152911-phpapp01/95/slides-earth-charter-pilar-2-english-ecological-integrity-1-638.jpg?cb=1400188990

"Reduce, reuse, and recycle materials used in production and consumption systems, and ensure that residual waste can be assimilated by ecological systems." This principle is related to Ch. 4 of Plan B and was discussed in the group presentations. LEED certification systems recognize buildings that are  constructed with recycled materials and awards them levels of distinction based on a scoring system that accounts for energy consumption, transportation, construction materials, and energy efficient appliances. Ecological integrity holds everyone accountable for their actions towards the environment.

3. Social and Economic Justice

http://shirari.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/3758602813_34e0280aec_b-500x389.jpg

"Recognize the ignored, protect the vulnerable, serve those who suffer, and enable them to develop their capacities and to pursue their aspirations." This principle tied into my experience on our field trip to the Coalition for Immokalee Workers. That was one of my favorite trips this semester because it was such an eye opening experience to hear the stories about oppression and slavery taking place only 20 miles away from FGCU. This experience strengthened my knowledge of consumer buying power in relation to choosing organic or locally grown produce that benefits the workers instead of large corporations.

4. Democracy, Non-Violence, and Peace

http://image.slidesharecdn.com/slidesearthcharterpilar4en-140515152910-phpapp02/95/slides-earth-charter-pilar-4-english-democracy-nonviolence-and-peace-1-638.jpg?cb=1400188975

"Treat all living beings with respect and consideration." This principle is related to in-class discussions as well as the Naples Preserve service learning project. Everything on Earth has a purpose for its existence. We may not understand the significance of every organism but when viewed at a larger scope it's clear that all living things should be respected. The Naples Preserve is home to various native plant and animal species that are present on the threatened or endangered species list. This organization strives to encourage community members to observe the beauty of Florida ecosystems. The location of the preserve is on the busy corner of U.S 41 and serves as example of how plants and animals can live in a protected environment within footsteps of urbanization. 

Plan B Ch. 3

http://america.aljazeera.com/content/dam/ajam/images/articles_2014/20140206-FRACKING-WATER.jpg

But today's oil-based civilization is heavily dependent on a resource whose production will soon be falling (Brown, 56).

The United States is extremely dependent on coal and natural gas to the extent that it is one of the country's largest imports. Recent studies have shown that fossil fuel consumption is both inefficient and harmful to the environment. Over the timespan of the twenty first century, dependence on fossil fuels has increased dramatically. The human population is consuming fossil fuels at such a high rate that will leave the likely deplete the source by 2050. In order to address this issue, society needs to reduce their consumption on fossil fuels and shifts towards a cleaner and more efficient alternative.

http://d35brb9zkkbdsd.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/CarbonEmissions.jpg

Considering carbon emissions, water requirements, local water pollution, and the overall environmental devastation from processing billions of tons of tar sand or oil shale, civilization would be better off if this oil were simply left in the ground (Brown, 73).

If oil were left in the ground and never discovered, our society and environment would be drastically different. The lifestyles of many individuals would be changed and industries wouldn't be as prevalent. It's eyeopening to observe the effects of fossil fuels on the environment and imagine a world without the consumption of oil. Civilization would be more oriented on the environment and its resources rather than focused on money and GDP. Hopefully society can change its habits and realize that it is best to leave oil and natural gas untouched underground. This will force the population to pursue natural sources of energy.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Coal_fired_power_plant_diagram.svg/2000px-Coal_fired_power_plant_diagram.svg.png

A business-as-usual energy policy is no longer an option (Brown, 71).

In regards to the text, I believe the policy over energy efficiency and fossil fuel consumption is not a black or white issue. This scenario affects both the business aspect of society as well as the environmental side. In order to address the concerns over energy, a new system needs to be tested and slowly implemented to observe its effect on society and the surrounding environment. Although businesses account for the majority of energy consumption, the human population as a whole wastes copious amounts of energy through residential use. In order to initiate change, there needs to be participation among the entire population.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Coal-Hands_1_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg

In addition to coal's disproportionate contribution to climate disruption and damage to human health, it also is the most easily replaced of the three fossil fuels (Brown, 75).

If coal is such an easy resource to replace, why haven't we done so already? The biggest obstacle for the energy industry is fear of change among the population. In terms of alternative energy, we should invest more time and money towards natural energy resources that will eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. The problem with alternative energy is funding and getting enough people to approve the implementation. Majority of people live by the saying, "If it's not broken don't fix it." This phrase cannot be used in comparison to sustainability because our current system may not be broken, but it sure isn't working effectively. There needs to be a way to rally up support for clean energy before its too late.

Plan B Ch. 2

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4137/4894276560_479c9c8e2e.jpg

Without irrigation water, and with sparse rainfall, the highly productive land owned by these farmers is wasteland (Brown, 43).

I agree that the significant decrease in irrigation water levels and the prevalence of dry season has negatively impacted the agricultural industry. The average field of grain requires thousands of water annually to allow for proper nutrient development and growth. Without an ample supply of water, the crops will lose their nutrients and die.The thousands of acres of land reserved for farming would become desert-like. The soil would be infertile and little to no plant life would be able to grow. Farmers would have to relocate to another area of land because the soil would need time to regain the proper nutrients needed to support crops.

http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/hands-rice.jpg

The shrinkage in cropland per person not only threatens livelihoods; in largely subsistence societies,  it threatens survival itself (Brown, 44).

The shortage of cropland results in an overall shortage of food. This affects the surrounding community because food and water are essential for life. Crops are directly dependent on water for both growth and nutrition. The increase in population throughout the world continues to make it harder to provide adequate amounts of food. Both land and water supplies cannot grow at the same speed as population growth to sustain life. In these cases, grains must be imported from other parts of the world to supply the population with adequate supplies of food.

http://www.returnofkings.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/equality.jpg

Overgrazing and overplowing are converting grassland and cropland into desert, putting farmer and herders in a war for survival (Brown, 45).

The key to successful land usage for agriculture is balance. Farmers and herders should never engage in overgrazing or overplowing because these practices negatively affect the fertility and sustainability of the land. Overplowing removes the vital nutrients that plants and animals use to grow. Another effect of overplowing is the increase in erosion. This leads to soil instability, which can result in flooding or a dust storm. Overgrazing depletes the land of its nutrients at a rate that is too fast to be replenished naturally. In order to eliminate this, herders should practice rotational grazing. This allows the grass and other plants sufficient time to regrow.

http://img.phombo.com/img1/photocombo/705/76_Rivers_HQ_Wallpapers_1600x1200__-73.jpg

Disagreements over the allocation of water among countries that share river systems is a common source of international political conflict, especially where populations are outgrowing the flow of the river (Brown, 47).

In times of crisis, countries with opposing ideas or political issues should set aside their conflicts in order to reach a solution that benefits everyone. Since the river is accessible to various members of the population, its resources should be shared by all. When it comes down to survival, everyone should be treated equally. Just like how animals come together to drink at the pond or lake, humans should be able to share the luxury of water with one another. In areas where the population has exceeded the carrying capacity, alternative sources of water should be accessed in order to support the need of the growing population. Keep in mind that this solution is only temporary.

Food Inc.

http://usebin.org/frame/582f2353-82d3-1ace-6716-b1592a6f565d-1/food-inc-2008.jpg

One of the most eye opening scenes within the film Food Inc, was the segment on Tyson and Purdue chicken farms. Tyson and Purdue together make up the largest meat industry within the United States. Scientists and engineers have genetically redesigned chickens to grow larger breasts in almost half the time. Antibiotics and other supplements are put into the feed to localize most of the muscle and fat growth of the chicken around the breast meat. The demand for larger chicken breasts in many American households is driving this trend. On average, chickens currently live a little over a month before their breasts become too heavy for their legs to support. In theses case, chickens typically cannot walk so they remain seated in their own feces and urine. Growers have no voice when it comes to the treatment of industry raised chickens. One grower named Carroll stated, "It's like being a slave to the company!" Many growers have no choice because they risk losing their contract or being sued by the billion dollar meat industries of Tyson or Purdue. After Carroll's interview she was terminated by Purdue. I agree that chicken plays a key role in the diet of many Americans including myself. The demand is extremely high especially for larger cuts of meat. However, I think chickens should be grown in a clean outdoor environment and fed naturally without hormones or antibiotics. 

https://republicofspace.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/1320853265-palestinian-muslims-slaughter-a-cow-for-the-eid-ul-adha-in-gaza-_913521.jpg

Another alarming scene of the movie was the segment on E. coli  O157: H7, which is the cause of Enterohemorragic Gastrointestinal illness. Symptoms include nausea, abdominal cramps, and bloody diarrhea. This strain of E. coli is transmitted to humans with the consumption of contaminated food with feces. Within the cattle industry, cows are fed corn and antibiotics. This leads to large inorganic piles of feces that need to be relocated. Many farms fail to remove the feces so eventually the cows become covered in it. Runoff can cause the E. coli in the feces to spread to surrounding soil that is used for agriculture. This can inoculate fruits and vegetables leading to an E.coli epidemic. When it comes time to slaughtering, the E. coli can contaminate the meat if proper sanitation procedures are not followed. Since E. coli is naturally found in the gut flora of cows, the best way to keep this organism under control is to feed cows natural grass. The grass cleanses the lining of the intestines and nutrients from the feces are recycled into the soil. I think the problem of E. coli can be greatly reduced if meat farms took the time to keep their facilities clean. Also, if cows were fed naturally in open land the significance of Enterohemorrhagic E. coli would be reduced. 

Plan B: Ch.1

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXc19ye1u7RZpy0wu6z0CnyNlu5Cl7Z5R3Mh7vH1aY3LJpaFFY-cNlraSvY2q8tV08T4eIaN32MJGnyzTUnH1yl4cLmuBFKSUv0tczm96hderS4D9agP88aBr4ryEI5HWv-vhdSMmqxSm/s1600/090619121443-large.jpg

"With business as usual, I see a combination of the projected growth population, the planned diversion of grain to produce fuel for cars, spreading shortages of irrigation water, and other trends combining to push the number of hungry people to 1.2 billion or more by 2015." (Brown, 4)

I agree that uncontrollable population growth and shortages of freshwater irrigation are going to continue to spike within the upcoming years. The poor and hungry are the first socioeconomic class of individuals that are affected by these changes. Over time, more and more people succumb to the shortage of resources and are forced to be without food and adequate supplies of water. This trend directly affects the entire Nation because there is no way to be both environmentally and economically efficient when poverty is present. Even leaders in market and trade are experiencing hardships. Homelessness is becoming a serious issue within the United States and continues to worsen over time. 

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/58/c6/49/58c6499bc435c9be11a9e0bbe928a6ef.jpg

Paul Hawken, author of Blessed Unrest, puts it well: "At present we are stealing the future, selling it in the present, and calling it gross domestic product." (Brown, 15)

The countries of the World are focused more on gross domestic product instead of the consequences that will greatly affect future generations. The effect of these actions will continue to negatively harm the Earth and the economy unless everyone actively participates. Most people choose against sustainability because they are doubtful of its success. Change will not occur overnight nor will it happen over a few years. The Earth has taken a beating from human civilization for over two-thousand years so it's going to take a substantial amount of time and effort to restore the damage. This issue needs to be addressed promptly before it's too late to salvage vital resources.

https://mistersmidan.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/system.png?w=485

"The market does not respect the sustainable yield thresholds of natural systems." (Brown, 16)

I think the market is slowly coming around and beginning to focus more on environmental sustainability. More efficient products are becoming accessible to consumers at relatively average costs as opposed to previous years. Companies are also creating greater variations of efficient products for example LED light bulbs. When this technology first came out only a few manufacturing companies took the risk of producing these appliances. Now in 2015, almost all electrical lighting companies (GE, Sylvania, EnergyStar, etc.) are actively producing LEDs on a large scale. In terms of natural thresholds, the government has taken action by regulating fishing/hunting seasons to allow animals to repopulate and flourish. 

http://clu-in.org/ecotools/images/ecowheel.jpg

"In addition to ignoring indirect costs, the market does not value nature's services." (Brown, 17)

The market doesn't necessarily ignore indirect costs, it just chooses to present consumers with a competitive price that encourages them to buy. Over time, the profit made from consumers allows for the market to reach equilibrium. As a Nation, the entire trade market is centered on the use of nature's resources. Land, water, air, and solar energy have served as the foundation of civilization on Earth. We continue to thrive on these resources because they are easily accessible. In terms of value, the market continues to thrive on environmental resources shared across the globe. 

Biodiversity

https://jspivey.wikispaces.com/file/view/help_us_pic._.jpg/76772065/help_us_pic._.jpg

"Humankind is one among millions of other species. It does not have a right to push other species to extinction, or to manipulate them for greed, profit and power without concern for their wellbeing." (Shiva, 40)

I think humans have a sense of dominance in the world that makes us feel like the alpha species. We have taken up most of the useable land for civilization and have destroyed many ecosystems along the way. I agree that humans have led to the endangerment or extinction of many plants and animal species that were once prevalent on Earth. Just because we are the largest species on the planet doesn't give us the right to infringe on the lifestyle of other living organisms. They were here centuries before the beginning of the human race. As a society, humans need to learn how to live in equilibrium with surrounding wildlife to preserve the Earth's biodiversity. Once a species becomes extinct there is no way to bring it back. Our goal should be to prevent further animal/plant extinction because everything on Earth has a purpose.

                                                                          http://www.civilience.com/style/images/art/civilience10.jpg
"While industrial civilization uses the the gifts of biodiversity, it abuses the living richness of our world." (Shiva, 55)

Our world is focused on commercialization and monopolization as opposed to the wellbeing of our planet and its ecosystems. We attribute most of our success from the resources of the land; however, we rob the environment of its nutrients with no intent of replenishing it. When it comes time to relocating our water products, we turn to the land as a place for containment. Doing so pollutes the surrounding air and soil, which directly affects all living organisms. If we continue to abuse our resources the thriving biodiversity that took centuries to develop will be destroyed.

http://www.irrawaddy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/610x359xindia.jpg.pagespeed.ic.mfjC0fID9T.jpg

"As biodiversity disappears, the poor are further impoverished and deprived of healthcare and nutrition that biodiversity provides." (Shiva, 50)

I think the quote takes on too much of a hasty generalization in terms of biodiversity and the poor. I can see how a lack of biodiversity can make some resources harder to attain, however, I don't believe it is the root cause of poverty. Healthcare is also something that only minimally ties into biodiversity because most of the drugs used in society are synthetic as opposed to natural remedies. A reduction in biodiversity can make it harder to cultivate health remediation plants, but there are plenty of alternatives that are widely accessible.

http://venues.meraevents.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/EnergyTrio-1.jpg

"The emerging trends in global trade and technology work inherently against justice and ecological sustainability." (Shiva, 56)

Since this text was published in the year 2000, I think that over the course of a decade our ideology on sustainability has greatly changed. The current trend in society is taking an eco-friendly approach geared towards slowly reducing our dependence on non-efficient energy sources. As a nation, we have come to the realization that our actions on this Earth have dramatically altered the environment in a negative way. New technology and higher government standards on efficiency are helping to reduce our carbon footprint. Given the circumstances, immediate change will not be observed because the Earth has endured centuries of human destruction that will take decades to overcome.

Silent Spring

                                                               http://www.thecanadiandaily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/earth-660.jpg

"The most alarming of all man's assaults upon the environment is the contamination of air, earth, rivers, and seas with dangerous and even lethal materials." (Carson, 153)

I agree with this quote because most of the pollution that results from urbanization leads to contaminating air and water. Carbon emissions from factories and vehicles contribute to smog and  acid rain, which deplete the Earth's ozone layer and poison the atmosphere. Contaminated air affects all living organism on Earth, not just humans. Plants too are affected by fossil fuel byproducts and they serve as an indicator of how healthy the atmosphere is. When trees and plants begin to die, there is definitely something wrong with the surrounding environment. The use of pesticides allow toxic chemicals to enter our waterways in the form of runoff, which can lead to health risks and red tide. 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVXhAyNafqu6jX1Spw0xKFH-bffmJmGGaitKNKK0hsEI8yCA2tzA7pQYOcCy8Fa7XLhFtfekfKxnJsAPVM3vNYPHCU3B4_2i0_v1c1npGyU6M2zy2e8e-3B4cx3eYLeQBRwMY9w3-cFg/s320/Earth%20Time%20Burns.jpg

"To adjust these chemicals would require time on the scale that is nature's: it would require not merely the years of a man's life but the life of generations." (Carson, 154)

If the entire world were to start from scratch and eliminate the use of non efficient resources, the Earth would not show immediate signs of improvement. It took two thousand years for the accumulation of pollutants on Earth to occur so it should take at least double the amount of time for the Earth to recuperate and begin to flourish. Although present day civilization will not be able to observe the overall effect of living more environmentally friendly, future generations will be able to appreciate the impact of a cleaner environment. 

http://fsb.zedge.net/scale.php?img=OS82LzUvOS8xLTk5NjUzNTEtOTY1OTQ1Ny5qcGc&ctype=1&v=4&q=71&xs=300&ys=250&sig=75ab51c995b085a7406bd9e26c0b14b7fd78696f

As Albert Schweitzer has said, "Man can hardly even recognize the evils of his own creation." (Carson, 154)

I don't believe that humans aren't aware of their poor sustainability habits. Many people feel like it's easier to look in the opposite direction instead of having to face an issue. I think that we as citizens are able to recognize our destructive behavior and the negative impact it has on on our environment. We simply choose to ignore the effects of our wreckage and try and find an excuse to condone our behavior. Many people also believe that their individual actions have no effect on the greater society, which is not true. What everyone needs to do is come together and work towards creating a long-term solution. 

https://coreybradshaw.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/ecology-globe-hand.png

"We train ecologists in our universities and even employ them in our governmental agencies but we seldom take their advice." (Carson, 159)

I disagree with this claim because I like to believe that higher education and research help create well-rounded professionals who care about the success of the greater population. As citizens, we tend to be fascinated by new technologies and have a great respect for science within society. In terms of ecologists, the government is extremely selective when it comes to creating collaborative groups of scientists to research and analyze current environmental issues. Credentials and experience are taken into consideration as with any professional occupation. For many years scientists have explained the risk of climate change and advocated for better alternative energy sources and materials. These messages have not gone unnoticed, the only obstacle is getting support from the population to implement change. People are very much influenced by scientist, however, they fear change when it directly affects their daily routine.