#readingreflections

[jahansmonogatari]

Young-hye's husband is the reality of the most in the real world, especially in arranged marriage, which seems to me a disaster. Because as long as you're not a drama according to them — no appeal, no demands, no choice, no discussion, no resisting — you're a good wife. As soon as you start with even a little of your choice, you become an object from a person, which seems too distinct to you. But you were an object for them to begin with. An object or a clay, adjusted, molded as they desire.

[cocoawithbooks]

June Reading Wrap-up: #HotReadsSummer Has Begun!

June Reading Wrap-up: #HotReadsSummer Has Begun!

What is your favorite summer reading setup? But alas, #HotReadsSummer has begun! The sweet iced tea (my summer sub in for hot cocoa) can be served and the beach chair set out for catching Vitamin D and taking in knowledge at the same time. While I do not enjoy battling tiger mosquitos, there is just something refreshing about sitting outside and reading a book in peace (with repellant and sun…

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[marytaposts-blog]

Reading Reflection #10

Prompt: “Using evidence from as many of the week's readings as you can (or from previous classes), explain what is the role of a modern zoo or conservation center that cares for endangered or threatened species?”

        Endangered species are common nowadays. Thankfully humankind has stepped up to the plate and taken their lives into our hands. Behind the views of animals in zoos, there’s a more meaningful reason behind them. Zoos play an important part in conservation as they help contain endangered animals in a safe environment. However, the battle between keeping animals that attract tourists might overrule the animals that need to be in a well-kept captivity instead.

           An article written by D. A. Conde called, “An Emerging Role of Zoos to Conserve Biodiversity”, talks about the importance that zoos can do for the survival of wild endangered species. “Captive breeding may be the only short- term practical conservation option for species confined to dwindling habitats”, though it’s only short-term it can have long lasting results to breeding in captivity and releasing them back into the wild (Conde). It seems like a long shot for taking animals in that children and adults don’t find thrilling or even aware that these species are endangered but it’s better to introduce them to it now than never being able to introduce them at all.

           In the same article, there are bar graphs comparing the vulnerability of how threatened each different type of species are being closed to extinction and endangered. Comparing all four charts between mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, mammals and reptiles seem to be the most at risk of becoming half close to critically endangered and even extinct. So, zoos are trying to become conservation centers where they can breed and keep endangered species in their care until they’re all ready to be reintroduced into the wild. But it’s something that not many zoos can continue their focus in.

           Elizabeth Kolbert’s article from National Geographic Magazine called, “Building the Ark”, she explains that zoos need to get over the concept of distracting crowds for animals that they can easily see in the wild and on television versus the species that can actually “wow” them with their sudden new introduction. “Robert Lacy, a conservation biologist at the Chicago Zoological Society, says that zoos are going to have to make ‘some really difficult prioritization decisions. Do you save a small number of big furry things, because that’s what will draw the public? Or do you focus on a whole lot more little creatures that it’s harder to get the public interested in, but you might be able to save a whole lot more of for the same amount of money?’”, Lacy says a lot for the way we should be changing the purpose of zoos (Kolbert).

           You would think that artificially breeding endangered species would fix it like we’ve done for many other species and even for cows, but the actual fact is that not all species reproduce the same way. And because of this, we have to figure out how these endangered species, like reptiles and amphibians reproduce and if their sperm can be frozen and used for the future when they figure it out. However, there’s complicated problems in artificial breeding for certain species like cheetahs, as explained in “Why Frozen Sperm Can’t Save Earth’s Imperiled Species-Yet” by Chelsea Leu. It’s true that male cheetahs are very picky in who to mate with in the wild and they are not keen in mating while being held captive. Most of their sperm is motile and female cheetah don’t also respond to hormones which makes it hard for insemination. But if they can figure it out, “Scientists can keep populations from becoming too inbred by pairing up genetically favorable couples. And a single sample can have a longer shelf life—and better staying power—than a single stud” (Leu).

           Though zoos are trying to go against conventional means of what they should be upholding for the public, it’s a hard battle to win but the results will be worthwhile. This might be one of the solutions that can solve majority of critically endangered species. If we can fund and change the concept of zoos, we can also educate the public on new species that they haven’t heard about. Children can also gain insight on focusing on less populated animals that vastly roams the wild already.

[marytaposts-blog]

Reading Reflection #9

Prompt: “Write about 2 strategies to promote environmental justice; citing 2 of the articles we read for today”

        Environmental justice is always one of the best ways to get different communities to join through one common interest or goal. Once we realize that something affects the majority that is when people are willing to come together for the better of their future. In the past couple decades; many communities around the United States have gone through injustice social and economical change. As a result, the only way to have their own individual voices to be heard, they had to come together to be one giant booming voice to the public. There are many ways to achieve the cooperation of large communities and some solutions serve a bigger impact than others do.

           One common way of reaching environmental justice is through classic protesting. What protesting promotes is the public awareness not only to who they’re trying to protest against, but to individuals around them. Obviously not many people want to be the first to start a rebellion act in fear of consequences, so once they see one or two or a couple people doing it first, then they will feel confident and comfortable enough to join in and it becomes a domino effect. In a case described in “Real People-Real Stories: Seeking Environmental Justice”, about the injustice landfill created in Afton, North Carolina, as a site to dump thousands of gallons of PCB into the soil caused a mass uproar. Not only did they pick a county that served an area that was predominately African Americans, but they created this landfill with such haste and easiness.

           In order for the public to be aware on what was happening to this small county of North Carolina, many took it upon themselves to protest for their health and nature’s health. There’s a picture included in this paper captioned “protestors lie on the road to block dump trucks from delivering PCB-contaminated soil in 1982”. From such a heavy and serious environmental injustice being done, it brought so many people in this particular community together to risk their lives and exercise their rights to make sure they could stop this from happening. Though the landfill and contamination happened in the end, the constant rebuttal of getting the government to clean and clear it through decades of years shows the stepping stone protesting did to get to the ended results.

           Another really good solution explained by Leyla Kokem in “Environmental Justice For All”, talks about the dangerous environmental health issues that revolve mainly in California. In an effort to get people in the community aware of what is actually going around them, a man named Manuel Pastor ran “tour buses” that showed the downside of Los Angeles. This included exposing the “toxics” that the city has created due to freeways, traffic, and refineries converge. It was a huge effort to “literally see, smell, and feel the effects” to those who were less aware of what residents were doing to their environment (Kokem). This primarily is a really good way to promote environmental injustice because you’re not only giving them verbal information, but targeting their six senses which makes it much more effective and powerful for them to feel the need and want to change for the better.

           Environmental justice is very important to ensure a promising future for many generations. It’s a difficult way to promote in certain areas of communities especially for those who choose not to be environmentally aware. In order to appeal to the majority, we have to consider what’s the best way to strike everyone’s interest to reach a greater and faster change. Yes, some attempts have been successful to prevent dangerous issues to the environment, but does that mean it’ll stop it from trying to reoccur again to a different community, especially one that is less aware and others? Many promotions are a hit and miss to big parts of communities, but to come together as one to create a loud voice is the only way to see change.

[marytaposts-blog]

Reading Reflection #8

Prompt: “Using as many of the readings from this class, as well as the last class, describe what types of problems the National Parks system in the US face today”

One of the sole purposes of the creation of National Parks are for us to serve the action to protect it from unnatural deterioration. However, over the decades and many generations later, the ideas of National Parks have changed. Though it’s still there to be protected and saved, these parks are now facing new struggles. They face various problems mainly due to humans, again; voluntarily and involuntarily. Through selected readings done in class, there’s evidence that National Parks face heavy problems in this day in age.

           You see it on the television all the time about preventing forest fires but still no one bats an eye. Though no one voluntarily goes to national parks and randomly sets them on fire, it’s the fact that they are more prone to man-made forest fires. Explained in Audrey Horning’s article, “When Past is Present : Archaeology of the Displaced in Shenandoah National Park”, Horning talks about the three man-made fires set off in Shenandoah National Park which resulted in thousands of acres  of land ruined. Essentially land vital to the whole park’s survival, which did not recover back normally.

           Another issue was the desire of the government to sell land and build things around national parks. This of course would mean disruption towards wildlife creatures and the more likely chance of more unwanted human contact around the park. In the Bill of Rights in Action, it talks about the struggle of national park lands between wanting to sell it for resources or to save and protect especially Yellowstone National Park. Many fought saying, “the federal public land involved was useless for home- steading, farming, ranching, mining, lumbering, or other economic purposes” and eventually they won with the continued argument of “Yellowstone’s high altitude, harsh climate, and poor soil made it ‘worthless lands’ except for their scenery and natural wonders (BORIA).

           The biggest struggles National Parks face are tourists. Yes, we should be able to visit and admire nature and sceneries around the world or within our grasp, but what we always forget once we get there is respect. Trash and litter is always the number one problem for National Parks. Horning also discusses the insanely odd litter left by humans at parks, which even includes children toys. In an older reading by David Brower, “Should we also flood the Sistine Chapel so tourists can get nearer the Ceiling?” he explicitly announces the problem that tourists create wherever they go. Due to high demands, to visit certain areas of nature, land has been ripped away to make highways and freeways when it should be the habitats of plants and bugs. He talks about the Grand Canyon to be provided with powerboats to get tourists viewing closer to the wall itself, which in turn can replace the water there to mud due to silting.

           We still have a lot to improve in protecting the wildlife. However, we have come a long way from a century ago where awareness was nowhere at its peak. Now we have all this awareness in public groups and organizations and even movies that revolve around protecting nature.

[marytaposts-blog]

Reading Reflection #7

Prompt: “Using at least two of our readings for today, discuss each author’s thoughts on wilderness and describe how these views on wilderness are either similar to or different from at least one of our past readings”

Ideas on wilderness over the past few decades have either stayed the same or changed minimally or drastically. Compared to the views and writings of John Muir or Ralph Emerson, later day writings of Roderick Nash and George Sessions and Bill Devall show differences and comparisons. Though there are some slight differences, ultimately the goals are the same. Approaching the idea of saving the wilderness in different ways always comes from the same objective. In the end, preserving and saving the wild should be in everyone’s best interest.

           According to John Muir, saving the wild means total absence of human influence. Which also means no advances of technology or improvement in its structure to cause it to deteriorate. Though most people would agree with this mindset, “Deep Ecology”, by George Sessions and Bill Devall would suggest a different mindset. They venture more into the spiritual connection between humans and nature. Focusing primarily on humans themselves to be considered a part of nature to be saved. They also talk about having the public be aware of crucial our actions towards nature can be in different ways.

           Going more in depth to human and nature spirituality, we have to see every action towards nature will be final and can never be erased or put back the way it was prior. We have to think of everything as a whole and not as separate or individuals. So, to want to save nature and its inhabitants, that includes humankind kind and all living and nonliving things on Earth. They quote, “deep ecology goes beyond a limited piecemeal shallow approach to environment problems and attempts to articulate a comprehensive religious and philosophical worldview…”. In this sense, they discard universal ideas that has been formed by politics or news and helps us view it in a more pragmatic way.

           Very much similar to Muir however, Roderick Nash continues on with the value that nature plays in society. In his writing of, “Wilderness Advocacy”, he goes more in depth about the scientific value and what we do to mother nature ultimately affects us as well. We must not take away the beauty of certain areas of nature for future generations to not be able to witness and interact with visually. He adds on about civilization and wilderness not being able to cooperate with each other most of the time. We must save the wild with proposed laws and policies or it will cease to exist in our own lifetime.

           Though both authors have different ideas to how to approach the savior of nature, their intentions and goals are the same. Both fundamentals are strong pointed and can definitely get to the public easier than old ways. Reading old readings might be harder to grasp as years have gone by and improvements have been made.

[marytaposts-blog]

Reading Reflection #6

Prompt: “In what ways do you think the Environmental and Wildlife protections afforded in our readings for today have a positive effect on conservation?”

         Environmental and Wildlife protection have been extremely beneficial to all sorts of wildlife. Habits for all sorts of creatures are essential for their survival so one of the best actions we can do as humans is to protect them. It’s not very fair if we let endangered or any kind of species to go instinct because we are ultimately stealing them away from future generations to view and study them. The world is full of different creatures that make up the entire universe and though many have gone through extinction through the means of natural selection and natural disasters, do not mean we should turn a blind eye to the many species struggling to live presently. We, as the superior race should feel the entire responsibility to ensure every species’ survival and create safe zone areas.

           As an industrial growing world, we are more focused on our own specie’s survival that we don’t realize the drastic and harmful effects we are doing to nature. Intruding and expanding into territories that are a sanctuary to certain multiple creatures affect their lives heavily. If we are cutting trees or fracking and drilling in grounds that are homes to many species, we are cutting their survival rates in half. This is why the Wilderness Act was passed in 1964, where it served as “an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain…which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions…” (USDOI, p.5). As explained, the purpose of this Act was to ensure the protection and creation of safe havens in specific areas.

           As creatures can’t defend and voice their opinions, the devastation in their habits and decline in their population is an obvious cry for help. The National Wildlife Refuge System is a system dedicated solely to wildlife conservation. Influenced by Theodore Roosevelt, he was the first to create a refuge unit in Florida that served the purpose to protect birds from hunting. This created an expansion of other refuges around the United States that protect the well being of many endangered species. This system has “incredible historic and enduring value”, where it benefited conservation such as helping America’s ducks and geese recover from the Dust Bowl (The National Wildlife Refuge). This has served as a home for hundreds of different species that provides not only habitats, but protection and sanctuary where they can increase their threatening declined population.

           Environmentally wise, donations from visitors all around the world who take interest in these refuges, have been able to be used to support people and jobs who make this possible without solely relying on government funding. When Congress passed the Endangered Species Act of 1973, it implemented protection towards a list made up of endangered native animals and plants. This makes endangered native animals and plants to be protected as well as the other Acts and systems. Particularly, this also prevents people from take these listed native species from their habit without permission and knowledge. As decades went by since the passing, it has been improved and has added in sections to satisfy all protection needs as well as monitoring.

           Protection for all endangered and threatened animals is very crucial though many believe that we have bigger problems to worry about. But again, if we don’t come in and take a stance for these animals, who will? We have see devastating effects and consequences due by human kind where it is only logically that we are the ones who have to fix and prevent further destruction. Having environmental and wildlife protection, gives not only attention and awareness to the public, but also serves as a stepping stone for further improvements and ideas that can help even more.

[marytaposts-blog]

Reading Reflection #4

Prompt: “The early twentieth century marked a departure from the conservation policies of Roosevelt to a period of growth in the US that had markedly negative consequences on the environment.  How did the everyday things that American’s used contribute to these consequences and were these risks known or unknown to the consumers? Use the readings for today: Steinberg, Ch.13, Rachel Carson, Silent Spring, Ch. 1. Pesticides, and David Brower, “Should we also flood the Sistine Chapel so tourists can get near the ceiling?” as evidence in your essay” 

         For a while in history, people in society realized the importance of preserving and conserving the natural world. But as a growing industrial country, it didn’t take long until we came back to our old ruthless habits. The balance between consumers and producers still has yet come to stability. As consumers, we are always in the field of weighing our wants over our needs. As a result, to obtain what we want has always came with consequences to both our health and the environment around us. Whether we are aware or unaware of our green-house foot prints on Earth, we all play a role in the deterioration of the environment.

           To begin with, Professor of History and Law, Ted Steinberg’s book Down to Earth, points directly about the effects automobiles have since it’s creation in one of the chapters in his book. Compared to walking around or being transported by horses or via train, the invention of automobiles has seemed to be the most beneficial thing given to society. However, with such a great thing to own, it did come with consequences that drastically changed human and nature’s health. To power cars, you need fuel and back then the introduction of ethyl and lead-based gasoline was the next deadly thing to surface on Earth. As a result of the heavy usage of cars and lead/ethyl, it had radical health effects. Lead was eventually deposited into the soil, which ended up into households. In effect, “Infants crawling on the floor then picked it up on their fingers and ingested it, interfering with the development of their nervous systems and contributing to hyperactivity and hearing loss…” (pg.210). Though people were aware of the health concerns posed on the usage of lead-based gasoline, they were convinced to look the other way by those who produced and introduced it to the public in the first place.

           One of the faces that were pro lead-based gasoline was chemist Thomas Midgley, who instead of listed the different alternatives actually pushed for the good of lead-based gasoline mainly for profit. To be an American, is to be a consumer of the good and bad. Whether it’s what we feed into for others, and ourselves will always lead back to indefinite outcomes that cannot be taken back. The drastic changes nature faced in the invention of automobiles, freeways and highways, and increased suburban areas, didn’t stop there. What was now introduced to the human public was fertilizer and pesticides to keep the prized appearance of American family homes alive. Just like the unhealthy obsession America has with greed and the market, served their approval for outstanding appearance as next in line. Now these chemicals also harmfully affected nature’s soil, which “…contaminated ground water supplies and may play a role in causing cancer, birth effects, and ‘Blue Baby Syndrome’, where an infant’s blood is deprived of oxygen” (pg. 223). But do you think the public cared for these effects?

           Tying in with one of the chapters in conservationist Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring, she intensively describes the neglect society has created towards DDT (harmful chemical found in pesticides and aerosols). It’s not new news about the way majority of society likes to ignore that the way they live life is causing harm to the environment. We’re all caught up in of tending to our own personal and societal needs that we aren’t taking care of the environment to secure a promising future for generations. Carson describes, “…the physical form and the habitats of the earth’s vegetation and its animal life have been molded by the environment...” which is heavily affected by what we put into the soil beneath ourselves (Carson). We spray fertilizer and pesticides in hope we are growing healthy and rejuvenated grass and plants while killing pesky bugs and insects in the progress. But in reality, we are depositing chemicals that are slowly killing the soil underneath which will later emit back into the atmosphere and into society.

           Deciding what we deem pesky bugs and killing them off with pesticide is only harming us as it does them. Ultimately, we are killing the diversity of bugs and insects and causing their genes to mutate which as a result, “…in a triumphant vindication of Darwin’s principle of the survival of the fittest, have evolved super races immune to the particular insecticide used, hence a deadlier one has always to be developed—and then a deadlier one than that…” and it goes on and on like a labyrinth. Usually what we emit into the atmosphere and thinking it’s beneficial, usually isn’t when we’re trapped in capitalism and money triumphs over health.

           If you think being a consumer is the only thing leading Earth to it’s inevitable demise, it’s also possible that our ways of appreciating nature is also under extreme questioning. For example, David Bower, a prominent environmentalist, describes an interesting way to inform society of how tourism affects the environment. In his writing of, “Should we also flood the Sistine Chapel so Tourists can get nearer the Ceiling?” he lists various complications and consequences of being too hasty with the beauty of nature. He brings up several examples of Congress allowing trees to be bulldozed for aesthetic needs for those who travel along roadside. It’s true that everyone should have the opportunity to visit beautiful wonders that are within their grasps but at what cost? Building parking lots over ripped away soil and trees to see one of the hottest spots that attract tourists all over the world also leads to pollution, litter, and disturbance of nature’s creatures. Metaphorically, his title of this writing is an idiom to the deterioration of natural creations for human entertainment and amusement.

           Taking what we can from these writings, we should no longer be blind to our actions. The way consumers prioritize their societal life before their natural life is resulting in corrosion. We are aware of what consequences are arising from our actions but because it isn’t happening in a quick manner, we are easy to dismiss it. Deciding to let our actions and problems to be solved and handled future society will only make it questionable if there will be a future for future generations or not. Delaying to solve our environmental problems will only impede for its faster finish.