Personal Jounal Entry # 25

April 26, 2011

Paper # 4 - Autobiography

Part Eight: Message to Future Colloquium Students

            To any and all students who attend FGCU and who have not yet taken Colloquium, this is a message for you. I do not want to hear that you do not want to take this course because it does not pertain to your major. I do not want to hear that it is a pointless class. I want those students who have preconceptions about this course to realize that you have been misled. University Colloquium has provided students with the opportunity to learn something about themselves and has given students the chance to develop an ecological perspective and a sense of place. We are all an integral part of the world we live in, whether you choose to accept it is your choice. Colloquium gives you a chance to educate yourselves about environmental issues and takes you on a journey. You will need to prepare yourself for a lot of work. The course is very rigorous but it is for your own good. You will need to stay organized, by keeping track of assignments. I found that the best way to stay organized was by making a checklist of everything you need to accomplish for the week. I was able to finish my assignments on time and gain extra credit for reading A Land Remembered before the due date. This class is not a waste of your time because you will leave this class with a better understanding of the natural environment and learn how to meet the needs of today without compromising the needs of tomorrow.

Personal Journal Entry # 24

April 25, 2011

Personal Journal - GAIA

In class, we briefly talked about Gaia, whom I had never heard of, and I wanted to learn more about what she represents.

Gaia was the primal Greek goddess personifying the Earth, the Greek version of "Mother Nature," or the Earth Mother, of which the earliest reference to the term is the Mycenaean Greek ma-ka (transliterated as ma-ga), "Mother Gaia". Gaia is a primordial deity in the Ancient Greek pantheon and considered a Mother Titan or Great Titan. Her equivalent in the Roman pantheon was Terra Mater or Tellus.

Gaia is the titan personifying Earth and these are her offspring as related in various myths. Some are related consistently, some are mentioned only in minor variants of myths, and others are related in variants that are considered to reflect a confusion of the subject or association.

• Through parthenogenesis

1. Uranus
2. Pontus
3. Ourea

Many Neopagans actively worship Gaia. Beliefs regarding Gaia vary, ranging from the common Wiccan belief that Gaia is the Earth (or in some cases the spiritual embodiment of the earth, or the Goddess of the Earth), to the broader Neopagan belief that Gaia is the goddess of all creation, a Mother Goddess from which all other gods spring. Gaia is sometimes thought to embody the planets and the Earth, and sometimes thought to embody the entire universe. Worship of Gaia is varied, ranging from prostration to druidic ritual. Unlike Zeus, a roving nomad god of the open sky, Gaia was manifest in enclosed spaces: the house, the courtyard, the womb, the cave. Her sacred animals are the serpent, the lunar bull, the pig, and bees.

The mythological name was revived in 1979 by James Lovelock, in Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth; his Gaia hypothesis was supported by Lynn Margulis. The hypothesis proposes that living organisms and inorganic material are part of a dynamic system that shapes the Earth's biosphere, and maintains the Earth as a fit environment for life. In some Gaia theory approaches the Earth itself is viewed as an organism with self-regulatory functions. Further books by Lovelock and others popularized the Gaia Hypothesis, which was widely embraced and passed into common usage as part of the heightened awareness of environmental concerns of the 1990s.

Personal Journal Entry #23 - Response to First Journal Questions

April 14, 2011

Answering Questions posed in Journal #1

1.) For living in a gated community, why are there so many houses without lawn care? Shouldn't each person have the same quality of grass, which is alive rather than practically dead?

 - Maybe all houses do have lawn care but if some grass looks better than other grass it would probably be the fault of the sprinkler system. Sprinkler heads are very fragile. They can go any which way and easily break causing people to have different consequences with lawn care.

2.) Why are there sandspurs in the grass, when there is no sand? (Nicky did NOT appreciate getting one stuck in his poor little paw. Thankfully, I was able to remove it with quite a bit of effort.)

 - Living close to the beach, where sandspurs live, causes them to be blown by the wind, picked up on beach goer’s shoes, clothes, and towels. But I am not in walking distance to the beach so there must have been an outside source that was involved here.

3.) Why are there hardly any residents playing the outdoor sports activities? Throughout my neighborhood we have swimming pools, tennis courts, mini-golf, even bocce ball. Why are people rarely taking advantage of these fun activities?

 - This may because of the hot weather, not wanting to be outside, and not having as many kid-friendly games. They are limits to the hours on tennis courts and pools. There are also no basketball courts, furthermore, residents are not permitted to have their own basketball hoop on their driveway. I think kids have advances in technology that influences there play time to be inside rather than outside. Maybe since my community is mostly older residents, they are not prone to such active exercise.

4.) Does the colder Florida temperature have a harsh effect on the trees and the flowers?

 - During the winter, temperatures can get below 40 degrees. So yes, this affects them because if the temperature drops this low, for a prolonged period of time, it damaged all vegetation because they can’t tolerate those low temperatures. It can even cause frost so a good preventative is covering the plants.  

5.) Will it ever snow in Florida?


 - Not in Naples because it is too far south. It’s too subtropical to get lucky enough to receive snow. But in northern areas of Florida there is a possibility of snow flurries. L I love the snow.


6.) Why is it that every time trash pick-up day comes around, which is twice a week, all of the houses on my block has massive amounts of trash in a matter of days?

 - People consume more than you would think. Each American makes about 4 pounds of garbage daily. If the rest of the world produced as much as Americans, there would be about 10 MILLION tons daily or 4 TRILLION tons yearly. The Environmental Protection Agency reports the United States produces approximately 220 million tons of garbage each year. This is equivalent to burying more than 82,000 football fields six feet deep in compacted garbage. There are no statistics readily available for the entire planet, but considering the United States makes up about 4% of the world's population, this is a LOT. I would personally estimate the entire planet's yearly production of garbage to be somewhere in the vicinity of 4 to 5 BILLION tons
7.) Do people in my community have respect for the environment that they live in? Does anyone think about the environment at all?

 - Yes. There are actually meetings for environmental actions that can be beneficial for my community. They just made signs for the drains saying do not pollute. So there are people that care for the environment but it is hard to generalize. I am one person out of the two-thousand houses that has an appreciation for the environment. There is likely to be more with that many people.

9.) Are there people who do not know how to recycle items?

Here are five reasons why people do not recycle. I don’t think people do not know how.

1. Inconvenience

Inconvenience is the number one reason that people don’t recycle. In many regions of the country, especially rural regions, curbside recycling programs do not exist. But garbage pickup does. Therefore, recycling takes extra effort and a drive to the nearest transfer station while throwing it out only requires a walk to the curb.

2. Lack of Space.

In close relation to inconvenience is a lack of space. Many people do not want open containers of “garbage” lying around the kitchen. There is no pantry, closet, or other out-of-the-way place to put recycle bins, especially when separate bins for glass, plastic, aluminum, and paper are needed.

3. No Deposit, No Return.

I spent several years in Michigan where its 10-cent bottle and can deposit leads the nation. I tell you that rarely did a beer bottle make it to the landfill. Even if people threw them out, someone would come along and take them out of the trash. Conversely I’ve found that beverage drinkers in states without deposits are far more likely to toss everything in the trash. This is not just homeowners either. In Dallas, TX I watched large trash can after trash can fill up with bottles at a local bar…Imagine the waste from just one establishment!

4. Misinformation.

Many people just don’t see how recycling — or lack thereof — affects their daily lives. Perhaps they don’t see the landfill piling up in their town because the garbage is shipped elsewhere. Perhaps they don’t know the myriad of products that are made or remade from recycled materials. Perhaps they haven’t noticed the price of certain products rising because of depleted resources that could be supplemented with more recycled materials. It has nothing to do with intelligence or a lack of compassion. The fact is that many people still don’t see the point and have been misinformed about the severity of rising trash heaps and a depleted environment.

5. Too Confusing.

Adding to the inconvenience of recycling is the confusing nature of many recycling programs. For instance, there is something like 13 different kinds of plastics, and in some areas you can only recycle plastic bottles in which the necks are smaller in width than the body. Add to that the inconvenience of separating materials and the daily grind of work and family. Who has time to figure it all out?

10.) Going around my community I noticed many houses and lawns that were unattended. Why do I never see anyone watering their plants? If people have the time to roll their garbage cans to the end of the driveway shouldn't they also have time to take care of the outside appearance of their homes and water their planted garden?


 - I think that people do water their plants; they just never go outside when I am. I have been asked to water my neighbors’ plants before. So I know some people MUST water their plants or else they hire someone for them! ;)


Also, 11.) What is the purpose of riding around on a bike and putting your dog enclosed in a mesh basket? Wouldn't they like to smell the roses, mark their territory, or chase after the birds? What is the point of containing them while you get a breath of fresh air?


- Maybe they are injured, sick, or dying. Maybe their owners were trying to let them get a last look of the great outdoors. Maybe the pavement was too hot walk on so they were trying to help. Maybe they didn’t see anything wrong with it. I think that dogs like to take a walk because they get to get some exercise themselves and they can smell every scent that passes them by. I swear I sometimes see my dog smile!



Personal Journal Entry #22 - FGCU Colloquium Experience

April 14, 2011

FGCU Colloquium Experience

• What I learned:

        The university realized its environmental mission through one course, IDS 3920 “University Colloquium: A Sustainable Future” (the Colloquium). The Colloquium is an upper-division course that all students take as a graduation requirement. The Colloquium examines the diversity of the local and global communities including cultural, social, political, economic, and ecological differences. It also examines ethical, historical, scientific, and health issues related to sustainability. FGCU has a Quality Enhancement Plan, which many students do not know about. The QEP wants to ensure students have an opportunity for developmental learning related to ecological perspective and community involvement.

        The QEP learning objectives for Colloquium are as follows. Students will be asked to self-report the extent to which they: a) can demonstrate knowledge of the issues related to economic, social, and environmental sustainability, b) can demonstrate the ability to analyze local and global environmental issues, c) can demonstrate understanding of the complex relationships between individuals and communities, d) can demonstrate the ability to analyze sustainability within the context of community, e) have participated in collaborative projects requiring analysis of environmental issues, and f) have participated in collaborative service learning projects that foster an ecological perspective.  


        IDS 3920 - The University Colloquium brings together students from all five colleges in a series of interdisciplinary learning experiences. These experiences are designed to address the ecological perspective outcome in relations to other university outcomes and guiding principles. Critical thinking and communication skills will be enhanced through field trips, discussion, projects, and a journal to be maintained by each student.

• My Advice:

        The most important thing you can do as a FGCU student is educate yourself about the course. I find the best way to stay organized is Make A Checklist!

1. Always do your homework when it is assigned ( DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!)

2. Keep track of all assignments with a planner or weekly list.

3. Don't stress yourself out, you CAN get things done.

4. Think about next weeks assignments and agenda if you finish early.

5. Don't wait last minute to do service learning. Find a date, time, and organization early on.



Personal Journal Entry #21

April 14, 2011

Make a Change 


There are many ways the we can get involved. If each and every one of us can make a commitment, to do a simple household habit to save water or reduce waste, then we are making a difference. This is something that everyone can do, you just need to make the pledge for change.

Use Less Water

·         PUT A PLUG IN IT: When washing dishes, turn off the water while you scrub.

·         NOTE THIS: Buy 100 percent recycled paper notebooks. Believe it or not, it takes a huge amount of water to make new paper from trees!

·         WATER SAVER: While waiting for the water to heat up when you wash your hands or face, save the cold water in a container and use it to water your plants or for cleaning.

·         TAPPED OUT: Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.

·         STOP THE DRIP: Fix a leaky faucet in your home or school.

·         SUPERVISE THE SPRINKLER: Make sure the sprinkler is turned off during the hottest part of the day, when most of the water is wasted through evaporation.

·         FLUSH NOT: Flush the toilet less often by not using it as a wastebasket.

·         POWER SHOWER: Take charge of reducing your shower time - and the shower times of your entire family - by two minutes per shower.

Reduce Waste

·         WASTE NOT: Start a compost pile or worm box in your backyard, neighborhood or school.

·         JUST SAY NO: Think about how many receipts you get in a year. Where do most of them go? In the trash or recycling bin, most likely! Save paper by telling the cashier, "No receipt, please." You'll be surprised how much that adds up in a year!

·         IT'S A WRAP: Wrap your gifts with newspaper or other re-used materials, and get your friends and family to do the same. When you receive gifts in new wrapping paper, keep it for future use.

·         KEEP IT IN THE LOOP: Make sure your house has a recycling bin and post your community's recycling rules on a sign next to it.

·         MIND YOUR PLASTICS: Encourage your parents to buy products in containers that are recyclable. Remember to look for plastics #1 & 2.

·         BOTTLED UP: Use a stainless steel water bottle and avoid buying bottled water when possible.

·         RECHARGE: Change the batteries on your toys and games to nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable ones, and dispose of all batteries properly.

·         SMART MAIL: Reclaim your mailbox - reduce waste by stopping junk mail at home. Get taken off the main junk mail lists by contacting the addresses and phone numbers on these sites: www.stopjunkmail.org/sample/kit.pdf and www.41pounds.org.

·         WASTE-FREE LUNCH: Commit to bringing a waste-free lunch to school for an entire week. Keep every lunch trash can empty and save tons of trash - literally!

·         IT'S IN THE BAG: Use reusable shopping bags whether you're at the mall or at the grocery store, and tell store clerks you don't need a bag if it's not necessary.

If we can spread the word about what we can do, it will make a difference and maybe it may encourage others to get involved!

Personal Journal Entry #20 - What is Education For by David Orr

April 14, 2011

GR # 10: What is Education For by David Orr

Paradigms

This section is talking about Aldo Leopold and his quote the problem of conservation education is "how to bring about a striving for harmony with land among a people many of whom have forgotten there is such a thing as land". Those words were written over a half century ago, and the problem is even more complex and difficult than Leopold believed.

First, can the harmony that Leopold proposed be realized within the modern paradigm, which emphasizes human dominance over the natural world, consumption, economic growth, science and technology, and is organized around nation-states and corporations? It is difficult to say because of diverse views on the proper human role in nature.

Values

Values are important. We should strive to teach values appropriate to sustainability. We should try to expand our understanding of the conditions for prosperity. Knowledge has never been regarded as an end in itself, but rather as a means to human well-being. By the same logic, environmental studies ought to have a clear direction for favoring harmony between human and natural systems while preserving objectivity in the handling of facts, data, and logic. Just something to think about.

Scope and Definition of Education

The aim of education is often described of teaching people how to think. But think about what exactly? What about character, intuition, feeling, practical abilities, and instincts? These traits affect what people think about and how well they think. If harmony with nature is important, how is this taught? Questions to ask yourself.

Definition of Knowledge

From the perspective of human survival, what is worth knowing? How do we distinguish between the trivial and the important? These are important things to consider. Knowledge is biased by the way in which we determine social and economic priorities. But how does a society determine priorities in creating and preserving knowledge that accords somehow with ecological realities? Sometimes reasons cannot be found but they are left for you to ponder.

Structure

This section talks about the structure of the learning environment. Questions are asked like: should environmental education be woven throughout the entire curriculum? Sometimes these are questions based on broad issues of education. But, the field of education can no longer afford challenges arising from the environmental perspective. Environmental education has become a political matter: “who gets what, when, and how?” There is the issue of the total demand humans make on the biosphere and the way we organize the flows of energy, water, material, food, and wastes. I think there needs to be education for sustainability.

Journal Entry #19 - Trip to Ft Myers Historic Cottage

April 14, 2011

Field Trip to the Fort Myers Historic Cottage

Facts from long-term FL resident Jo Hughes:

·         :)

·         Colusa Indians

·         1906, the oldest existing house on the island was built

·         Then the Indians massacred the Spanish

·         1921, the wood bridge in Fort Myers was washed out by hurricane

·         1926, they built a swing bridge and started to build cottages

·         1937, the first school was started with grades 1, 2 and 3. (Teachers made $80 a month)

·         1938, they finally got electricity

·         1955, first library on the island. (It fit only one person at a time)

·         1979, the current Fort Myers bridge was built

·         1991, started the first historical society

·         1995, the Fort Myers Historic Cottage was built, the second oldest on the island.

·         Matanzas Pass Preserve – the boardwalk

Types of Common Animals

·         Mullet (fish)

·         Mosquito (used home-made swatter)

·         Egret

·         Night herring

·         White and scarlet ibis

·         Manatees

The Matanzas Pass boardwalk was a great scenic view of different types of trees, plants, and brought you to the water at the end. This was a great historic representation of Fort Myers and how the cottage came to be. Below are some pictures from the field trip, the boardwalk, and the inside of Fort Myers Historic Cottage.

Pictures: