Final Blog...Service Learning

Sam's House, the oldest home in Brevard County

Newer Sam's family home

This is my final blog for the Colloquium class at FGCU.  I know this isn't required, but it seemed to be a fitting end to this class, so I hope it is OK to have included it.  I have learned more than I expected, and have enjoyed the class more than any other class I have taken.  I have found a new calling...I will continue to volunteer with the Environmentally Endangered Land program in Brevard County, mainly at Sam's House, in the Pine Island Perserve.  I love the area, I feel at peace there, and I can help make a difference in my hometown's history.  I completed my required volunteer hours yesterday, by timing how long it takes to walk each trail.  I did this alone, enjoying my quiet time in nature.  I encountered a few natural 'friends' along the way, some that should have scared me but didn't, and one that surprised the heck out of me! 

Indian Burial ground on site

 



This is where a wild boar ran right out in front of me.  Scared me to death!!



Active Eagle's Nest







Indian River Lagoon





LOTS of alligators!  Look at all of the small ones under the plants!



Several gators



Natural vegetation growing where Brazilian Pepper trees and 9 feet of fill were removed.



 

Blog # 13 Matanzas Pass

When I visited Mantanzas pass, I was excited to see many people enjoying the pathways.  I loved the cooolness of the shady walkway in the beginning, and the peacefullness of the water.  I heard a lot of birds!

I enjoyed seeing the Estero Island Cottage.  The water tank was interesting, and I enjoyed learning about the local history.  I think local quality of life is being enhanced by preserving the natural and historical areas in this town.  I think people need to appreciate the history and enjoy the biodiversity of their hometown.

My hometown, Merritt Island, FL, has changed a lot since I was a child.  I grew up in a track house, built for the workers for the Apollo Space Program at Kennedy Space Center.  We lived on a dredged canal, but we had a lot of natural areas to explore.  We boated often, and grew up playing in the woods and on islands in the Indian River Lagoon.  There were a lot of wild areas on Merritt Island at that time.  Today, there are fewer and fewer wooded areas, as there was a huge housing boom in the 1990's.  There are now many houses sitting empty.  The shuttle retirement has not helped matters in the area.  If I was offered 300% market value to develop into condos, I would probaby take it!  I would enjoy the financial boost, and don't think that the condos would have much of a negative impact on that area.

Blog #10- Ecofootprint

I was shocked to find that my ecofootprint is terrible! If everyone lived like me, we would need 4.7 earth's to support us! That is over 20 global acres per person!  I didn't think I was so bad, but apparently some choices I make really impact the environment. One of the worst is that I eat meat daily. That really takes a hit on the environment. 34% of my footrpint is from the food I consume. Services account for 39%, goods, 11%, shelter 10% and mobility 6%. I can make some changes, the biggest one being to eat less meat. If I eat meat only a few days a week, I can decrease my footprint by almost an entire earth! I don't have the ability to use public transport, and I can't change my house, but I can recycle more. After looking at what I can change, I dropped my 'earths' down to 3. Still not great, but a bit better.

Blog Entry #12 Sustainable Consumerism

Sustainable consumerism"Sustainability as a principle is characterised by the interplay of three dimensions: ecology, economy and social... The ecological dimension of sustainability is given preference in connection to the behaviour of consumers. Economic development and welfare are only possible in the long-term within a predetermined framework that identifies nature as the foundation of life. Conversely economic and social aspects also serve for the "do ability" of ecology: ecological production and consumerism can only be realised if they are attainable for the consumer... and when consumerism and production take place under acceptable social conditions."[Source: Deutscher Bundestag (Ed.), final report from the Enquete Commission "Globalisation of the World Economy", p. 381 Note 119, Online Version]

To consume sustainably is to reuse, recycle, renew and to use as little as possible, in an environmentally friendly way.  I think that there are a lot of issues with this phrase, as to consume isn't really being sustainable at all.  I feel that globalization and capitalism are negative drivers in this phenomenon, as there is a lot of 'greenwashing' going on with companies and business.  Greenwashing makes people think they are doing something good for the environment, when, in fact, they are not.  An example is the placard in hotel bathrooms stating to hang your towel and use it again.  That has not been proven to save anything, but makes people feel they are doing something.  Putting photos of nice, beautiful trees on a environmentally dangerous substance is another example.  PR companines use greenwashing to make consumers feel they are being environmentally conservative, when, actually, what they are doing could be causing more harm than good. 

I am not always willing to pay more for foods labeled 'organic', 'local, or 'fair trade' because there is corruption at all levels.  Organic, as I have learned, is not healthier or more nutritious.  Local food could be grown 'locally' on a huge, wasteful farm.  "Fair trade' items make people feel good to buy, as they feel they are helping out a poorer country and economy, but there is corruption within the fair trade business.  People must be careful. I think it's better to try to buy from local farmer's markets and vegteable stands, to be mindful of waste, and to use what you buy, and to grow your own food! 

I prefer to frequent locally owned stores if possible.  I enjoy shopping in large shopping centers, but I know the mark up on items is very high, and I think that I tend to spend more money in shopping malls.  In smaller, mom and pop stores, you get better customer service, you know your money is going into the local economy, and you are less likely to impluse buy due to showy marketing.  I think it is much better to shop in local stores if possible.  Large stores, like WalMart, are putting the smaller locally owned stores out of business, and are buying products made in third world countries, often by children and poorly paid workers.  I think we should all be mindful of where the prodcuts we buy are made, and make choices based upon ethical and economic value.

Blog entry #11, Downtown

Downtown...the thought of it makes me happy.  I think about walking from quaint shop to quaint shop, stopping to sit at a table on the sidewalk and sip coffee.  I think about watching people, window shopping, and enjoying an ice cream.  I think over time, downtown has changed from an area of neccessity, to one of leisure.  Most people don't shop for staples downtown.  They do that at large grocery stores or malls.  Going shopping in downtown Ft. Myers is more of a fun day. 

I think Ft. Myers is experiencing a renaissance because people enjoy the atomosphere.  It is a change of pace to shop where there are choices and not cookie cutter shops.  I think people like to experience a bit of culture while they visit the downtown area.  The architecture is beautiful, the history of the town is evident, and people slow down a bit to look around.  At night, people enjoy dining at one of the many delicious restraunts, then strolling the quiet streets. 

I think "New Urbanism" is evident by the diverse shops, the encouragement of walking through the downtown, the apartments for rent above stores, and the green spaces that have been thoughtfully provided.  In Cocoa Village, which is in Brevard County, a huge park has been built, with a amphitheater, lots of green space, benches, gazebos and a water fountain for kids to play in.  There are picnics, movies on the lawn, street parties and craft fairs held often.  A huge 4th of July picnic is put on every year.  This truly evokes the feel of downtown and encourages visitors to spend time outdoors.  There is also a weekly farmer's market. 

Encouraging people to use existing building, to renovate rather than tear down, and to build and rebuild within a downtown area is in line with sustainability.  Resue, don't throw out.  The beautiful buildnings can be renovated into many different things, including apartments. 

Blog #9, Jimmy Cardigan

Jimmy Cardigan

I think energy is expensive, and that we have the chance to look for alternate sources here in our own country.  We are tied to the Middle East by our gas tanks, and we need to start rethinking what we are going to do in the future.  Coal is available, but causes evenironmental damage to mine, and when burned.  I think that many people in America, myself included, take energy for granted.  We expect a heated house in the winter, and a cool house in the summer.  We expect hot water, and gas for cooking.  We waste energy, and we often don't think about where it comes from, and what kind of damage we are doing to the environment by our careless use.

I think conservation is not only important, but imperative!  We have to be conscious of what we use, and how to conserve our resources.  I know I have become much more aware of my energy useage.  If everyone does a small amount, it does make a difference.

I think Jimmy Carter had some good ideas, and putting on a sweater when you are cold, rather than turning up the thermostat is a start.  He also had solar panels, which were removed at a later time, installed on the White House.  He was trying to make a point to the general public.

What I think is too expensive is alternative energy sources.  Solar panels shouldn't be so costly.  In Florida, they should be installed on every new house.  I think that we need both the governement and free marketeers to help come up with alternative energy sources.  The government could provide funding for individuals with great ideas.  As long as the ideas don't get bogged down in red tape, there could be a mutually beneficial relationship.

I feel that solar energy is one of the best types of renewable energy for heating in homes.  It is already used extensively to heat swimming pools, and could easily be used to heat all of the water for a home.  A combination solar/gas water heater would work well.  I also think we have to look at wind energy as a viable source.

I have been very careful to make small changes right now.  I don't turn on the shower water until I am ready to get in.  I don't double wash dishes...first in by hand, then in the dishwasher.  I have just started putting them in the dishwasher dirty.  I also have installed a clothes line to line dry clothing.  It works so fast, and is easier on clothes.  I would like to have solar panels installed on my home to decrease the amount of energy I use in the long run.

Blog #8 - Global Warming

I believe that Global warming is caused by both anthropogenic and natural causes.

Science shows us that the temperature of the earth has cyclic changes. These cylces happen over thousands of years. That being said, the temperature of the lower atmosphere of the earth is warmer than it has been, even while the upper atmosphere is cooler. This is caused by the greenhouse effect, which essentially traps heat in the atmosphere due to burning of fossil fuel. I think it makes logical sense that people are contributing to the warming of the earth. The amount of vehicles driven, the amount of coal burned, etc, has risen with the increase in population. We have been cutting down massive amounts of trees, decreasing the absorption of carbon dioxide. Those two things seem to contribute to the rising temperature.

Science shows us that the polar ice cap is much smaller than it was even a decade ago. The ocean has risen seven inches. The lack of the large white polar ice cap, which reflects the suns rays off of the earth, will add to the increase in temperature. While I do think that there are some natural cycles that cause fluctuations in the temperature of our planet, I think humans have a role in global warming, and I think we need to take action now to decrease our role for the benefit of our future generations, and the diversity of our planet.

I don't think we should listen to politicians in regards to global warming, as I feel that they all have an agenda.  I think we need to trust science, educate ourselves, and read all we can about the effects our choices in life make on the environment.

The media has gone hog wild with climate change.  Right now, the US is having a very warm winter.  The media is screaming about global warming.  Europe has experienced a much colder than normal winter.  It's all about your perspective. 

I am much less likely to listen to alarmists.  I prefer to have evidenced based knowledge to make my decisions.  I think we have an obligation to our children and future generations to leave them with a world that is diverse, healthy and stable.  We need to make necessary changes to ensure that we can met that goal.