The Earth Charter

Equality for all sentient beings. Photo from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/523191681683098058/

Principle one of the Earth Charter says to, "Respect Earth and life in all its diversity. Recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings" (Earth Charter, para.7). This parallels what Shiva mentioned in Tomorrows Biodiversity, "All life forms have intrinsic worth and right to evolve freely on their own term" (40). This holds true in my opinion. Humans have taken the liberty to assume dominance over all other life forms. Clearly, we have proven that we cannot handle that responsibility. It is time that we go back to sharing this planet. We do not get to 'own' an animal and dictate what it wants to do. Animals should be allowed to live as nature intended with out human disruption. 

A wild hog. Photo from http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2014/03/18/preventing-invasive-plants-and-animals/

In Principle two of the Earth Charter, it says, "Control and eradicate non-native or genetically modified organisms harmful to native species and the environment, and prevent introduction of such harmful organisms" (Earth Charter, para.12). We have had many discussion in class about the harmful effects of non-native plants and animals. In particular I remember the discussion on the FGCU trail and at CREW. At FGCU the hogs used to be a bad problem in the trails to they had developed traps. Also, we found an invasive orchid species that we had to pull and kill. At CREW there was an area of land that non native species of plants were becoming so destructive that it had the potential to ruin the animal ecosystem as well. Watching Food Inc. we learned about GMOs and how common they have become. The worry is that we do not know how destructive they will be years down the line. 

Protests for the Immokalee Coalition of Workers. Photo from http://remezcla.com/culture/may-day-five-latino-comrades/

Principle Three states, "ensure that all trade supports sustainable resource use, environmental protection, and progressive labor standards" (Earth Charter, para.16). Our last field trip involved driving out to Immokalee. There we met two workers part of the Immokalee Coalition of Workers and drove around their neighborhood. The standards these people have to live and work in are unacceptable. They are working hard in order to raise the standards somewhat. Even still more should be done. It is the least we can do to support only stores that support the penny increase in tomatoes. Hopefully, soon enough their labor standards will be better.

Zoo realities. Image from http://sfsubeca502animalsusedinentertainment.blogspot.com/2012/12/why-should-we-keep-zoos.html

Principle Four lists, "treat all living beings with respect and consideration" (Earth Charter, para. 21). This brought me back to the first reading for this class. Orr writes in Love it or Lose it: The Coming Biophilia Revolutio, "We need animals, not locked up in zoos, but free on their own terms. We need them for what they can tell us about ourselves and about the world" (207). Animals deserve dignity, not being locked away and gawked at. The treatment of these animals in deplorable and unacceptable. The fact of the matter is that even in the 'best' zoos and animal agriculture facilities they are still being exploited. Even in organic and so-called 'free-range' farms the animals are being systematically tortured and murdered. They live no life as how they are supposed to. It is time we listen to the Earth Charter and start respecting the animals. Honestly, there is a very easy solution to ending a lot of the environmental problems in today's society. However, it is a solution that most are not willing to accept. We can continue to live in ignorance or we can turn the car around and start making a difference. You don't even need to get rid of your car...

Plan B 4.0

Melting ice caps. Photo from http://www.precipitatejournal.com/arctic-snow-cap-is-melting/

 "The question is not what we need to do, because that seems rather clear to those who are analyzing the global situation. The challenge is how to do it in the time available. Unfortunately we don't know how much time remains. Nature is the timekeeper but we cannot see the clock" (Brown, xiii, 2009).

This quote immediately stuck out to me.  It definitely rang true for me. The fact of the matter is, we don't know how much longer life has on this Earth, or even how much longer the Earth has. We only have one place to live, as of yet, and we are doing everything in our power to destroy it. People consume all our resources as if they are indispensable. Chemical waster dumped into our waters, plastic water bottles thrown onto the ground as if it were natural, and people continuously filling up their gas guzzlers.  I believe most people understand that there is a problem, besides those few that chose to be ignorant to the matter, but few actually care enough to do anything about it. The truth is, we have to tackle the issue of global warming and pollution as if our planet will end tomorrow if we don't. I for one would like to bring my future children into a better world and a more secure home. I want them to be able to live on this world without having to fear of their world ending. Also, if the earth continues to survive will we all need gas masks in order for life to be sustained?

A plate of vegan food. Photo by J.Lane

How a vegan meal saves. Photo by https://www.pinterest.com/pin/185984659581678228/

"With additional water no longer available in many countries, growing urban thirst can be satisfied only by taking irrigation water from farmers" (Brown, 7, 2009).

When I read the word farmer, in this context, I fear they are referring to crop farmers. In all honesty, it should be referring to animal agriculture farmers.  During the recent and still present news of the drought in California I have heard all sorts of 'solutions' to preserve the water still left. These range from shorter showers, restricted sprinkler usage, and the funniest of stopping almond production. The easiest, and most obvious, answer to the problem was ignored by news sources and the average public. Animal agriculture is the number 1 user of water and causes the most pollution! It is so easy to skip meat and dairy from your diet. I understand not everyone is able to cut it off cold turkey but we should be embracing a less 'meat-filled' diet at least. The impact a meat diet has on the environment is too great to ignore. If people do not care about the animals they are killing they should at least care about the future of their children's home.

Gas Prices in the U.S. Photo by http://newsroom.aaa.com/2013/02/aaa-monthly-gas-price-report-february-2013-trends-and-march-outlook/

"The average U.S. gas tax of $0.46 per gallon, scarcely one tenth that in Europe, helps explain why the United States uses more gasoline than the next 20 countries combined" (Brown, 245, 2009).

I am conflicted on this section and quote of Plan B 4.0. Though I agree that gasoline usage is way too high in the United States, I am not sure if raising the taxes on gas will work the same way as it did for cigarettes.  Cigarettes are considered a luxury and extra to the American people. Gasoline, however, is still very much necessary in most of the country. The way modern America was designed you need a car to get to most places. Simply raising the price of gas will prevent even more people from making it to a decent job to make money. Less people will be able to afford reliable transportation. Public transportation would first need to be changed in order to allow for it to be more reliable. Job locations need to be changed, and city structure would need  to be changed.

Carson Silent Spring

Rachel Carson, author of 'Silent Spring'. Photo by http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2006/12/rachel-carson-environmental-advocate/

 "I do contend that we put poisonous and biologically potent chemicals indiscriminately into the hands of persons largely or wholly ignorant to their potentials for harm" (Carson, 159).

This statement is very important. Not only are these chemicals and insecticides extremely dangerous they are being used by people that may not truly understand the dangers and potential for harm. Even still, there is many chemicals being used that we do not know the full potential impact they will have. The truly sad thing is the people who do not their potentials for harm but still continue to advocate for them in order to make money. As for many things, money has become the true motivators. People do not want to see bugs, even those harmless, so they pay for insecticide to be sprayed on them. The ironic thing is that bugs on fresh produce is a good sign. It means that it is a healthy plant. Simply relocate the bug and wash off the veggie and it is good to go. The tastiest vegetables and fruits come from your own garden.

Mallard eggs effected by DDT. Photo by http://www.scienceclarified.com/Co-Di/DDT-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane.html

"There is still very little awareness of the nature of the threat" (Carson, 160).

I have to disagree with this statement. This may have been in true when Carson wrote this book in 1962 but today I think many know the dangers of what they are doing to the environment. At least the people creating these things know enough as to the negative effects on the environment and our health. Again, money speaks and people become selfish. We know car exhaust from gasoline is harmful to the environment and yet it is still being pushed and is the main source of car fuel. There is research being done to create more efficient fuel sources but I cannot see them becoming the norm until gasoline will no longer make them companies enough money. Today there is a lot of awareness of the threat it is just ignored.

Insecticides. Photo from http://homeduuka.com/image/insecticide.jpg

"It is not my contention that chemical insecticides must never be used" (Carson, 150). 

I do not understand this quote. For all of Carson's thoughts on the issues and the harmful effects of insecticides I would imagine her to be completely against insecticides. I understand there is sometimes when insecticides would be necessary. For instance, in your home when they are detrimental to your health. However, for most insects there are natural insecticides that can be used to remove the pests. Personally, I will use chemical products when as infestation occurs or for parasites like fleas, internal worms, and ticks. Other than that we should be willing to share our land with those there first. I would think Carson would feel similarly.

Douglas Everglades

Sun Setting over the Everglades. Photo from http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/click/2009/06/the-everglades-one-of-the-unique-regions-of-the-earth.html

"When the original saw grass thrust up its spears into the sun, the fierce sun, lord and power and first cause over the Everglades as of all the green world, then the Everglades began" (Douglas, 109).

This quote by Douglas immediately stuck with me. The sun is powerful; the sun holds the power of all life. Without the sun there would be no life. Plain and simple we need plants to survive and the plants would not be a thing without the energy harvested from the sun. The sun is an amazing star. It is the perfect distance from the earth to sustain life. It would not make sense for Douglas to talk about what makes up the Everglades without mentioning the powerful sun. Formerly it was believed that the sun revolved around the earth. That thinking perfectly summarizes the relationship humans have with nature, 'we are what is important and we will take everything as ours', a selfishness that still has not disappeared. Personally, I have a deep appreciation for the sun and the life it has given to earth.

Florida Summer Storm. Photo from: http://www.weathersnapshot.com/top-10-weather-photographs-10182014/

"Below all that glistening water will be rising, shining like beaten pewter, and the light will lift as if itself relieved of all that weight of the rain. It will change from pewter to silver to pure brightness everywhere" (Douglas, 115). 

 Having been born and raised in Florida, I am all too familiar with the Florida summer storms. In a short period of time you will see the weather change from sunny, to cloudy, to raining, to storming, then just like that it will be sunny again. The only change will be the floor will now be wet and the air even more humid than before. I have seen all the colors the sky can become and Douglas' description fits well. Though the weather can be ugly the quickness in the changes of the sky can be beautiful. In fact, I have a vivid memory of walking into my yard during the eye of a hurricane. The extreme quietness and stillness after such a disruption was breathtaking. Hurricanes scare me but I would love to experience the eye one more time.

Custard Apples. Photo from: https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/12982

"Southwest it was all custard apple, a subtropic, rough-barked, inconspicuous tree, with small pointed leaves and soft fruits. It grew fiercely, crowded on roots that became gnarled trunks or trunks twisted and arched into bracing roots in the drag of the water. The spilth and decay of the custard apple, the guano of crowds of birds that fed on them, whitening the leaves, built up in the watery sunlessness below them an area of rich black peat, denser than muck, two or three miles wide and six feet deep" (Douglas, 135).

Before reading A Land to Remember I had never heard of a custard apple tree. Reading "The Nature of the Everglades" by Douglas was my second time hearing of them. His description allowed me to visualize what they looked like. Now, I hope to try them one day, if edible. However, the reason this quote stuck out to me was because it described a relationship between the plant and the animals. The bird depends on the custard apple and the custard apple trees depend on the soil, sun, and water. Not only that but the bird guano will further fertilize the soil creating more custard apple trees. These animals have a mutualistic relationship. In fact, many of the organisms and animals have learned to share the resources. It is humans that just take. 

A Land Remembered- Zech MacIvey

A Land Remembered Novel. Photo by: http://patricksmithonline.com/alr.html

             

          Each of the characters in A Land Remembered offers a unique perspective on their relationship with the environment. Zech MacIvey is the only character that has the viewpoint of being a son, father, and husband.At the beginning of the novel he is a young child eager to impress his father. We follow Zech until his death during his last journey. He had a lot of love in his heart and became deeply attached to both people and his animals. Although he was not Indian himself, he had a strong bond with the Indian people he met.

Zech at the Christmas Frolic. Photo from: http://patricksmithonline.com/alr.html

           Zech has a strong relationship with the natural world. He grew up on horses and died on a horse. He loved living in the hammock and wanted no part of the destruction of the wild. Unlike his father, he knew land had to be bought. He bought the land though to protect it. He even told his son, Toby, "...he purchased the custard-apple forest so no one could ever put an axe to it..." (Smith, 1984). When he visited Palm Beach he was disgusted by the commercialism. Also, he was just as saddened by the death of his dogs and horses as he was for his father, mother, and wife. He respected the nature and his surroundings and chose to share instead of take. 

Palm Beach Island circa 2013. Photo by J. Lane

          Zech's sense of place is with his family. There was not one specific place where he felt his sense of place. As long as he was traveling with his family, in an uncivilized place, he was comfortable and happy. In fact, when his beloved animals and child died he wanted them buried. It did not matter to him if they were in the family grave site so long as they were one with earth again. Zech left a lot behind. He had bought lots of land under the MacIvey name. The idea behind him buying the land was to protect it from those wanting to destroy the land. Within his sons he left a relationship with mother nature. Through their respect with the land he can continue his legacy.

Nip and Tuck. Photo from http://patricksmithonline.com/Powers/

 

              I had a tough time fully relating to any of the characters in this novel. However, I probably relate the most to Zech. When the deaths of Nip and Tuck were described I grieved with him. I sat in my bed crying as if they were my own dogs. I understood his hurt and pain. My first real experience with death was the death of my family dog. Though he was not my first family member to die, it was the first time I was old enough to understand death. Like Zech, I was devastated and mad at life. Also, I find myself mad at humanity for some of the things we have created. Unfortunately, humans are very selfish and do not see their destruction until it is too late.