Each reading gave me more clearer views on our world today. Not only did the readings help, but analyzing and commenting my colleagues posts really helped me to understand that there are more opinions just as good as mine. Some of their post shared the same view as mine, but overall, both they both had points that made me open my eyes to new realizations.
The reading that had the most impact on me this semester is "The Vegetarian Myth". After watching the Netflix show "What The Health?". It was really confusing because the author was an ex-vegetarian, so there must've been a really good reason for a switch of life style and to write a novel on why it is bad for the environment. I understand that some plants may be bad for earth, but the Netflix show gave credible reasons from experience medical professionals on why they are still good for our bodies and how livestocks has a more destructive effect on earth and it's atmosphere. From this, I plan on researching deeper into this situation to understand it enough and choose which side O think is better for human health and earth's existence.
The main text that got me to search further into environmental issues is "Anthropocene: A Very Short Introduction by Erle Ellis". I say this because throughout this semester, I fervently believed that humans are causing negative impacts on earth. He made me want to search more in depth why the climate is changing so drastically. This is because of the many practices that are conducted by humans, or capitalist as what I would call them. The mindset of humans now are only to cater to themselves and to make money for their enjoyment. Many of them ignore the fact that Earth is a gift given to us and it must be taken care off. If we look at all of the oil disasters, pollution in the Pacific Ocean, deforestation, heavy air pollution, and over-consumption of resources, the only factor causing this are Humans. After reading about the Anthropocene, I realized that it grew on me and I began to discuss it more with different colleagues of the same major. Many were clueless about this epoch, so it only made sense for me to explain it more to them. Also, I have been able to speak about this situation on social media to people that have no clue on how our environmental is reacting to human actions.*see image below* With my major, I want to help create systems to make human impact on the environment less harsh and to implement more clean energy for major industrial companies. When I continue to research more on the Anthropocene epoch, it would make me more than credible when I present different ideas on why it should be changed. This is because our world is ending because of us and change has to start somewhere. I want that changed to start with me.
In conclusion, as said before, this class made me look into a new venue of different realizations. I learned so much more about the environment that I ever had before. It is so vital that we all know more about it because this is the only way that we can save OUR planet. We are in control on whether we want to stay here for the rest of our time and have it wither away before our eyes. We, as environmentalist, should continue to share the knowledge of what practices should be put in place. This would be such a hard battle for us but I know within my heart this can be done.
I most definitely enjoyed this course, Professor Oliver, and what I've learned is that "We still have time!"
But not all the time in the world... I’m encouraged, though, by the new sense of urgency I detect in many of your generation. The “green new deal” seems more possible than ever, if we can just get past the hump in Washington.
ReplyDelete"...colleagues of the same major. Many were clueless about this epoch" - it's unfathomable to me, that Environmental Sustainability majors were unfamiliar with the concept of the Anthropocene. I hope that's about to change, with them and everyone else.
ReplyDeleteThis is because many just study was in taught in class, its rare for anybody to research beyond the classroom. They would usually have basic knowledge of environmental science, this too was surprising to me as well.
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