Survey Results

My survey found here is on Middle Eastern women and how they are treated in the Middle East. Since I couldn't locate Middle Eastern women to interview, my survey consisted of questions to see how the world thought of women.

Interestingly enough, 100% of respondents believe that women in the Middle East are oppressed. When asked why, most answers stated that these women are viewed as "property" and do not have "rights." Most answers to whether or not women in the Middle East can vote or work or have access to education were mixed, with most not sure. Out of 16 respondents thus far, 12 understood that Islam is a religion and the Middle East is a region. 2/16 believe that there is no difference, 1 believes that both are two different regions, and the remaining 1 is not sure what the difference is. An overwhelming amount of respondents were not sure if women's rights movements were held in the Middle East. Also, many believes that the views and treatment of women in the Middle East originated from both religious and societal pressures, with 3 believing it is purely religious, and 1 not sure. Respondents also left mixed feedback on whether or not these women are still oppressed or not once they have migrated to America. Some say it's not oppression they deal with, it's discrimination. Others say yes, but in different ways. A few were not sure. The rest say no they that are free to practice what they like.

Coast Salish Synthesis

The Coast Salish people have been faced with racism and oppression for centuries. Children of the late twentieth century were facing the same issues that their grandparents in the nineteenth century had dealt with. Land claims, treaties, and fishing rights are just a few problems that were arising as American and Canadian people in the Pacific Northwest advanced. However, possibly the most important issue to come was education. America and Canda used education and public schooling as a method of colonialization. Public schools were built in order to integrate Coast Salish children so that their culture and beliefs would be pulled away from that of their fellow natives, and to also be pulled away from their lands. Children who showed any expression or thought of their native culture were punished in order to "modernize" them. Rather than pulling these children away from their culture, however, "the schools created shadowlands personalities in the students, neither fully Indian nor fully white."  These children were being abused and mistreated by both American and Canadian forces. Punishment was conducted if children spoke their native language within the schools. This impedement of the Coast Salish people's freedom was being overlooked. "Both the residential schools and the mainstream public schools constrained and distorted Coast Salish views of land and history. In the 1960s and 1970s, integrated schools could be worse than residential schools for racism and psychological trauma." The children should not have had to deal with this, and the fact that both sides were mistreating this group of people was outraging. In order to fight and resist assmimilation, elders of the tribes would mentor the Coast Salish children in the language and rituals that were otherwise forbidden in the schools. Dancing and other rituals were outlawed by the goverment and were done in secret, away from any kind of government surveilence in order to keep their traditions alive. Sadly and ironically, when the Coast Salish people had had enough of the torment from public and residential schooling, they turned to boarding schools in order to escape the oppressioin and racism and finally be among their own culture.

http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=5fa22f2a-4040-4e03-a43c-01da14223a35%40sessionmgr111&vid=2&hid=101

Food and Sustainability in North Carolina

Barbecue is the food of the south, and North Carolina is no exception. Since pigs were introduced to the state in the 1500s, residents would cook the pork over a fire and season the meat with vinegar, salt, red and black pepper, and oyster juice. This would eventually be known as "North Carolina Barbeque."

However, as time passed and farming decreased in the state, local pig farmers began to lose their farms due to commercial hog producing corporations. In the past ten years, the number of pig farmers in the state has fallen from 23,000 to 8,000, yet the production of pigs has nearly tripled. North Carolina is now nationally ranked second for producing hogs. The mass production of pigs is not only harmful to the hogs that are being confined to small areas and fed food that has been fertilized by their own excrement’s, but also to the people of the towns and counties that contain these large corporations. The waste from the hogs is being kept in pits known as “lagoons.” According to studies done by North Carolina State University, roughly half of the lagoons are leaking enough of the waste to contaminate the groundwater. The waste also contains a high concentration of nitrogen.

Local organizations have arisen in order to regulate the pork producers in the state, such as the Alliance for Responsible Swine Industry, the Halifax Environmental Loss Prevention, and others. Additional help has been contributed through the researchers of North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina, and Duke University. The News and Observer has brought a media perspective to the issue and covered a thorough investigation on the “pork revolution.” While these organizations, universities, and media coverage have all helped, much still needs to be done in order to promote local pig farmers rather than corporate swine.

http://www.northcarolinatravels.com/food/barbecue/index.htm

http://www.umich.edu/~snre492/statter.html

Envrionmental Ethics Artifact - Bears on Ice

The video above is called "Bears on Ice." It is a short animation that shows the effects of global warming in the arctic. The ice is melting as decades pass, and the polar bears are left in the end with a small slab of ice where they must balance themselves one after another. Personally, the circus theme at the end of the video portrays how society sees the issue as a joke, until the very end when that last piece melts and the polar bears and ice caps are gone.

Synthesis on 350 and CO2

“The Coral Reef Crisis: The Critical Importance of <350ppm CO₂” is an article that focuses on the environmental importance of keeping levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) less than 350 parts per million (ppm). While the article primarily focuses on the coral reefs, it shows the effects that rising CO₂ levels can have on the earth. The article suggests there is a correlation between rising CO₂ and global warming. Climate change has currently caused approximately 19% of the world’s coral reefs to be lost, and it is estimated that another 35% are in danger (Veron, Hoegh-Guldberg, and et al 1428-1429).

Global warming is not the only factor that is destroying the coral reefs, but it the primary one. It is causing huge mass bleaching events across the seas (Veron, Hoegh-Guldberg, and et al 1429). This was first seen in the late 1970s and was linked to high temperatures in the oceans (Veron, Hoegh-Guldberg, and et al 1429). When the bleaching was first recorded in 1978/79, the CO₂ level was at approximately 336ppm (Veron, Hoegh-Guldberg, and et al 1429). Since that time, there have been seven major world-wide bleaching events, the worst being the 1982/83 event that caused two-thirds of all inshore reefs and 14% of offshore reefs of the Great Barrier Reef to have moderate to high levels of bleaching (Veron, Hoegh-Guldberg, and et al 1429).

It can be concluded that, while there are many other factors to coral reef degradation, a rise in CO₂ is the most harmful. CO₂ levels must decrease to 350ppm or less in order to stop mass bleaching occurrences around the globe. Ideally, the levels should decrease below 320ppm due to the fact that the first bleaching recorded was estimated to occur at approximately 320ppm (Veron, Hoegh-Guldberg, and et al 1429). If CO₂ levels continue to rise, not only will the world see a loss in coral reefs and other sea related environments, but all the environments around the world will see damage. 350ppm is an important number for the earth, and only society can get the world there.

                                                                                                                              

Veron, J.E.N, O. Hoegh-Guldberg, et al. "The Coral Reef Crisis: The Critical Importance of <350 ppm CO₂." Marine Pollution Bulletin. 58. (2009): 1428-1436. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. <www.elsevier.com/locate/marpolbul>.

Fracking’s Contribution to Water Contamination

In December 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency sparked great controversy as it declared that hydraulic fracturing could be the root cause of underground water pollution in central Wyoming. Hydraulic fracturing is the process of extracting natural gas or oil from the ground by means of injecting chemicals at high pressure into the fractures of rocks below earth’s surface (“Dictionary.com”). Officials claim that the pollution near Pavillion, Wyoming “had most likely seeped up from gas wells and contained at least 10 compounds known to be used in frack fluids” (Lustgarten, and Kusnetz 3).

At the time, EnCana did not express any concern and accused the EPA of false findings. EnCana is the gas company that owns the wells near Pavillion, and a spokesman for the company stated that, “Nothing EPA presented suggests anything has changed since August of last year – the science remains inconclusive in terms of data, impact, and source” (Lustgarten, and Kusnetz 10). This is ridiculous considering the chemicals found are the same as those used in fracking. Coinciding with the spokesman’s statement, Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.) told a Senate panel that he “found the agency’s report on the Pavillion-area contamination ‘offensive’” (Lustgarten, and Kusnetz 11). Inhofe continued to oppose the EPA by labeling the agency as biased.

Many of the local Pavillion residents complained that their water turned brown after the gas wells had been fracked; this problem startein the mid-1990s and has gotten increasingly worse throughout the years (Lustgarten, and Kusnetz 12). An on-going issue of this magnitude cannot continue and cannot be declared “inconclusive” or “offensive.” The EPA began taking water samples in early 2008. Traces of hydrocarbons and other chemicals that are used in fracking had been found within the resident’s water wells (Lustgarten, and Kusnetz 13). In 2010, the EPA and federal health officials warned residents to avoid consumption of the water and to ventilate homes during baths as the methane in the water could cause explosions (Lustgarten, and Kusnetz 13). Residents could no longer safely bathe without fear of the chemicals in the water. It has been disrupting their lives since the issue began in the 1990s.

Further investigation by the EPA led to findings of high levels of carcinogenic chemicals such as benzene; a well-known chemical that is used in fracking, 2 Butoxyethanol, was also found in the water (Lustgarten, and Kusnetz 14). However, despite the evidence, EnCana continued to deny their involvement in any of the pollution. The company would not reveal the chemicals that had been used to frack the wells. The finding of 2-BE was considered “inconsistent in detection,” according to Doug Hock, the EnCana spokesman (Lustgarten, and Kusnetz 23). Despite all the findings, hopefully Hock and the Senator will realize the harm they are doing not only to the land, but to the innocent residents of Pavillion.

 

"Hydraulic Fracturing." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, LLC., 2012. Web. 28 Sep 2012. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hydraulic fracturing>.

Lustgarten, Abrahm, and Nicholas Kusnetz. "EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination." Scientific American. 09 Dec 2011: n. page. Web. 28 Sep. 2012. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fracking-linked-water-contamination-federal-agency>.

 

A Response to Richard Kahn: Environmental Education

Reading Richard Kahn's article, Towards Ecopedagogy: Weaving a Broad-based Pedagogy of Liberation for Animals, Nature, and the Oppressed People of the Earth, the ignorance society has about environmental issues is brought into perspective. "45 million Americans believe that the ocean is a fresh source of water” (Kahn 6). It is ridiculous how many people can even believe that. The Nation needs environmental education to learn how to prevent further damage to the earth.

One method would be to integrate mandatory, general environmental education courses into schools, the simplest starting in elementary and growing progressively more informative into high school. Once students enter colleges and universities, required environmental classes should teach students how to care for and aid the environment based off of the student’s intended major. For example, if a student’s intended major was automotive engineering, the environmental class would teach to student how an automotive engineer would properly dispose of chemicals, fluids and parts, and to use the knowledge of their major to create environmentally-friendly vehicles.

If students graduate high school and directly enter the workforce, on-the-job training must include a section on the environment that pertains to the work. Each job, no matter what it happens to be, must include some sort of environmental education requirement upon hire. If a student in high school has been hired part-time at McDonalds, then the manager in charge of the restaurant must see to it that the new employee learns how to properly dispose of trash, recycling, and how to keep the building sanitary without causing environmental harm. Every employee must also pass the environmental course before being allowed to work.

By keeping people properly educated on the environment, not only would prevent further issues from occurring and aid the damage that has already been done, but it would decrease ignorance and allow for people to spread the word of environmental protection. This would allow for society to grow in a way that is much friendlier to the earth than it currently is.

Environmental Visual Rhetoric

Image can be found here.

          The image above is an example of environmental visual rhetoric. Obviously the level of inappropriateness is extreme, but the image clearly shows the harm that humans are doing to the earth. The figures of a man and a woman can be seen. The man (civilization) can be seen sexually assaulting the female figure (nature). Civilization and industrialization have violently stripped Earth of her natural resources, much like a vulgar act of indecency. Much of this reminds me of "Front Lines," a poem by Snyder that is featured in his book Turtle Island. The poem, much like the image, powerfully illustrates environmental damage by suggesting a sexual assault on Earth.

          Technology aids in creating impacting images that can be widely distributed throughout the world in order to provide others with information so that they may venture out and reverse the damaging effects we have done.

Turtle Island: Part 3

Affluence

The poem says, "now burn the tangles dowsing, pokey heaps with diesel oil. paying the price somebody didn't pay." I believe the theme in this poem deals with forest fires and how a lot of them are due to humans not properly disposing the debris.

The Dazzle

This poem's theme seems to be spring. Snyder is speaking of the flowers; how they spread and grow, and how wonderful it is. "the dazzle, the seduction of design" states that the process flowers go through to grow and reproduce is magical almost.

Dusty Braces

"O you ancestors" seems to imply that this poem is more of a letter to Snyder's past relatives. He names all the occupations they had and looks down on them for being what they were because they "killd off the cougar and grizzly" with their "nine bows." Snyder ends the poem by saying, "-your sea roving, tree hearted son." The theme of the poem seems to be the difference between Snyder and his ancestors.

Turtle Island Poems: Part Two

The Real Work

     This poem's main theme seems to be the ocean and how it is the "real work." I believe Snyder is saying that the ocean is the only thing that should be changing the earth, not humans. People are always attempting to change nature, creating man-made "lakes" and "rivers," but it's not the job of the humans. The only work to be done is the "real work" by nature itself, like the ocean.

It Pleases

     In this poem, the main theme is the White House and how the government does nothing. "The world does what it pleases" suggests that, despite the government being the power and law of the land, they truly have no power and people will do what they want, despite the law.

For The Children

     The main theme of this poem is how the earth is soon ending. "The steep climb of everything, going up, as we all go down" states that although we're growing as a society, our world is going down - the environment is dying.


     "The Real Work" and "For The Children" both tie into the "nature" theme that Turtle Island seems to carry out, but "It Pleases" talks about government and society itself.

Turtle Island Poems

Gary Snyder’s Turtle Island has a collection of poems that focus on the earth and how society has become wasteful. Anasazi, Without, The Dead by the Side of the Road, and The Bath all share the same basic themes of simplicity and nature.

“Anasazi” (page 3) brings the reader into nature itself. Snyder takes a dive into a field of corn and beans, bringing the reader in with “eyes full of pollen.” By calling the fields “Gods” he is showing his respect for the food. The place he is describing is a simple area where he can sniff the scents of the animals, taste the ground, and hear the streams in the canyons.

Snyder intends on keeping this simplistic nature alive, and the poem “Without” (page 6) explains the power of nature. Humans are losing touch with the power of nature within themselves. Nature is silent in their hearts. The end of nature will come with this, and the only option is not to save Earth but to heal it. “Singing” the proof, truly feeling nature, is the way to reconnect humans to the “power within.”

            The following poem, “The Dead by the Side of the Road” (page 7), focuses on road kill. It shows that humans are wasteful creatures that need to learn to properly make use of everything. Most people would leave a deceased animal lying on the road; rather, respect for the being should be taken and it should be used for something useful. Snyder explains that when he found a Ringtail he case-skinned it and turned it into a pouch. The souls of these poor creatures should be prayed for, according to Snyder, because as humans we are at fault for their death.

            Lastly, “The Bath” (page 12), illuminates the simplicity that humans should enjoy. Snyder and his family bathe each other and appreciate each other’s bodies. The tools the family uses for the bath are simple: a kerosene lantern, an iron stove, a wooden bucket, fire, and water. What is necessary is only used rather than fancy tools. The family is simple and in touch with nature. After the bath, Snyder’s family rests, gaze at the stars, and share joy in each other’s company and laughter on “Great Earth.” Snyder’s theme is apparent in each of the poems, and it is easy to see that any human can take a step back.

McKibben Podcast and Bioregional Quiz

Taking the bioregional quiz opened eyes that many people do not understand the surrounding world. Many people in a community could not describe the soil, name the types of trees, or explain where garbage is taken. It is apparent that little is noticed about the environment, and McKibben expresses that in the podcast done with Scientific American. Stated in the podcast and McKibben’s book Eaarth, the earth in which people reside and were born on is not the same as the current one. This new earth cannot support the economy and growth that people have taken, and this makes a lot of sense. The podcast ties a lot to what Nash states in “Island Civilization.” Population growth has caused a lot of harm to the earth, and both Nash and McKibben have concluded that building is not the solution. McKibben actually states that people have developed a complexity for a “bigger world,” and because of that, people opt for building new structures to “fix” the issues that arise. However, humankind needs to take a step back and actually “hunker down” in order to assist with those issues. According to McKibben, purchasing food at a local farm is a great step toward making change in the environment. One of the questions asked in the bioregional quiz inquires if people know where food is grown, and many people cannot answer that question. If the world moves toward local farms, like McKibben states, it would bring people closer to the environment.

Pollution in America

Recycling is one of the many details people do not often consider throughout their day. With busy schedules that cause people to be on the constant move, tossing a bottle into a trash receptacle seems like the easiest thing to do. However, people do not realize that such an act can have detrimental effects on the earth. Roderick Nash’s proposal of an “island civilization” illuminates the stature of the pollution dilemma in the world today.

Pollution can come in a variety of forms – land, air, water are the top three – and each can have harmful effects on people and the environment around us. Landfills contain a concoction of toxins, chemicals, bacteria, and other wastes that can brutally spoil the living conditions of the land surrounding them. “Every year one American produces over 3,285 pounds of hazardous waste” (Green Student U). With approximately 313 million people in America, the total waste for the United States alone would estimate 1,028,205 pounds. That is a staggering amount of pollution. Landfills in the United States can also impact the air and water nearby; gases taint the air while chemicals seep into the ground and sully the water (Information for Action). Not only are the living conditions not acceptable for humans and animals, but for flowers, trees, and grass, too. Plants cannot flourish with chemicals destroying them and wastes blocking their paths to the surface. One of the sad facts about landfills is that over 80% of the items can be recycled (Green Student U). However, as stated earlier, many people are seemingly “too busy” to recycle and therefore contribute to the problem at hand.

In order to reduce the pollution in America and, essentially, the world itself, the fundamental change would be to ensure that there is an increase in recycling. People would have to: invest in items that can be reused rather then used then thrown away; carpool, walk, or bike for transportation; cut down on smoking; and avoid washing chemicals down pipes and drains. These simple solutions, and many others, can significantly decrease pollution on Earth and would keep “island civilization” out of the future.

"Encyclopedia." Green Student U. Green Student U. Web. 22 Aug 2012. <http://www.greenstudentu.com/encyclopedia/pollution>.

"Land Pollution." Information for Action. Information for Action. Web. 22 Aug 2012. <http://www.informaction.org/index.php?menu=menua.txt&main=landpol_gen.txt>.