Biodiversity

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"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.

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"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.

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"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.

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"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

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"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. 

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"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. 

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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. 

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"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. 

Nature of the Everglades

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"Then the marching wet will start again the next day or so, hissing and leaping down in narrow sharply defined paths as the clouds are pushed about here and there in the bright sky." (Douglas, 114)

I found this sentence extremely vivid and almost story-like. It painted a clear image of a stormy afternoon over the vast wetlands of the Everglades. Douglas included strong adjectives like "hissing" and "marching" that made the rain appear powerful and mighty. As a native Floridian, I have grown accustomed to the frequent storms that prevail during the wet season. I admit that sometimes the rain can fall like heavy white sheets leaving the surrounding areas flooded with reduced visibility. During the wet season it rains almost everyday, sometimes even more frequent. With regards to the Everglades, the wetlands depend on the rain from the wet season to provide water for the inhabitants of the surrounding ecosystem.

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"The whole system was like a set of scales on which forces of the seasons, of the sun and the rains, the winds, the hurricanes, and the dewfalls, were balanced so that the life of the vast grass and all its encompassed and neighbor forms were kept secure." (Douglas, 121)

This sentence made me reanalyze the natural elements and put them into play with the conditions of the Everglades. One of the most important organisms that are prevalent throughout the Everglades is saw grass. This species of grass proliferates in the wetlands and is used by many other animals in the surrounding ecosystem as food or shelter. Too much sun can dehydrate the grass and cause it to dry. Too much rain can flood the surrounding plains and reduce dry lands. Too much wind can rip up the grass and blow down tress. In order for the Everglades to be a successful ecosystem, there needs to be a balance between the natural elements and living organisms.

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"Where the grass and the water are there is the heart, the current, the meaning of the Everglades."(Douglas, 108)

Most of the inhabitants of the Everglades survive on the grass and/or the water. They either use it as a source of nutrition or as a form of shelter. This sentence reaffirms the importance of both water and grass in terms of useful resources for the Everglades. The "heart" of the Everglades is where both resources can flourish and supply their nutrients to the surrounding environment. The survival of the Everglades depends on the sustainability of the saw grass and water supply. If one of these resources break equilibrium, the result affects the entire ecosystem and can take years to fix.

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"Time moves again for the Everglades, not in ages and in centuries, but as man knows it, in hours and days, the small events of his own lifetime, who was among the last living forms to invade its shores." (Douglas, 134)

This sentence was eye opening in that it illustrated how human civilization has swarmed the Everglades and forced it to the southernmost tip of Florida. The Everglades used to be a large thriving  ecosystem encompassing around one fourth of the state of Florida. Now, the Everglades is receding to a smaller area due to the proximity of surrounding civilization. As humans, we measure change in terms of hours and days like Douglas mentioned. However, the Everglades have been established for centuries before mankind. It has survived the dramatic changes of the Earth, but it appears as though humans are beginning to suffocate the rich environment of the Everglades.

A Land Remembered

                                                            
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 Briefly describe who the character is and their role in the novel
Through reading this novel, I was able to put myself into the shoes of one notable character, Tobias MacIvey. Tobias was a middle aged man who traveled from Georgia in 1858 to Florida because of the War. He was accompanied by his wife Emma and their six year old son Zech. The MacIvey family created settlement in an oak hammock up near Gainesville, FL. Tobias chose to live in the woods to seek refuge from the ongoing War between the Federal and Confederate Armies. He built a cabin, a smokehouse, and a barn in a little over a year. Tobias was an experienced farmer in Georgia, however, the Florida soil proved to be a challenge with cultivating crops. Tobias relied heavily on his axe and shot gun to provide meat (squirrel, deer, coon, and beef) for his family. Tobias played a beneficial role in this book because he lived one with the land and taught his family to appreciate it for its value. Tobias was also a very humble man who put others first. He saved two seminole indians named Keith and Bird, saved Skillit, and offered jobs to Frog and Bonzo. Tobias exemplified a man with great character who had a passion for welcoming people with open arms.

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What is the relationship between the character and their environment and the natural world?
Tobias referred to the Land as a gift from God. He once stated, "The Lord put it here for everyone to use." While traveling to Punta Rasa, Zech asked Tobias why people haven't purchased the vast land on the prairie or fenced it. Tobias was quick to reply that no one should ever be allowed to fence such a majestic piece of land. Tobias relied heavily on the land because it served as shelter, food, and water. His livestock was also dependent on the resources of the land because the MacIvey family did not have excess corn or water to supply the herd. The trees were used as shade from the penetrating sun, the heart of palm was food, and the leaves were bedding. Tobias and his family survived in the middle of no where and used the land as a primary resource. The appreciation Tobias had for the land was evident in his words and actions.  

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Where does this character experience a strong sense of place and what legacy will/did they leave behind for others?
Tobias experienced a strong sense of place on the prairie trails where he and his family herded wild cattle across the land to Punta Rasa. During this endeavor, Tobias was able to appreciate the characteristics of the land and its surrounding environment. He payed attention to the fast changing weather and the wild animals. He was able to spend time to himself and think about the world, his family, and his future. It was during this journey that Tobias's love and appreciation for Emma grew. The MacIvey family also appreciated Tobias's efforts and they knew that his best interest was to create a better future for each of them. The sacrifices that Tobias endured helped shape a legacy for Emma, Zech, and even Skillit. Emma learned to become independent, strong, and selfless. Zech developed into a strong young man with a good sense of nature, and Skillit gained the love and experience of a true family.

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How do you relate to this character?
I think Tobias and I share the same quality of putting others before ourself. Many times I find myself in situations that do not directly benefit me, however, it benefits those around me and that helps me feel useful. Tobias was also an amazing role model to Zech, but also to everyone he came in contact with. I hope that in the future I can also take on that responsibility of being a mentor and use it to instill good values in others. In Tobias's eyes family was the center of the universe. Everything he did was to benefit his family. I too am very family oriented and understand the importance of a structured family.