Social or environmental degradation

          The article that I decided to read involved social and environmental degradation to the country of India. From an economic perspective I am aware that the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are in strong competition to secure many global business opportunities locally with investors. With China becoming the world’s second largest economy this year I believe they are no longer an emerging country but should be considered a developed country. I am also aware of China’s population and control rule of one child per household. In reading this article I was dumbfounded to learn that estimations anticipate India to overtake China in the year 2050 as the most populous civilization. Currently India has eighteen percent of the world’s population which places a heave burden on all of it natural resources. For India, their available water supply and sanitation issues create majority of their environmental issues. Most cities dump untreated sewage and partially cremated bodies directly into the Ganges River, which is located upstream used as a main source for usable water. The water there after flows downstream and is used for activities including drinking, bathing and washing. That sounds like a bad situation all together. There will be last effects and emerging diseases as outcome from these activities. Approximately, half a billion people live along the Ganges River which greatly increases the percentage of negative events. Many countries need to be held responsible for blindly turning their eyes away from significant issues. In bidding for opportunities countries need to be given a weighted placement based on humanitarian issues addressed. In any scenario, where accumulation of success and wealth at the direct expense of the local population is present should be discouraged.

Echo Park

This week’s field trip was at ECHO Park, an agricultural farm in Fort Myers. Aided through a scheduled tour my group made its way through the farm following the guide. The farm blended in extremely well with the natural environment. The tour guide informed the group that the main purpose of ECHO Park is to problem solves agricultural issues. While the tour only covers one fifth of the overall farm land it never the less was a great experience. Immediately upon entering the farm there are exotic plants and fruit greeting the tourists. The tour guide wastes no time explaining that all the vegetation on the farm each serves a unique purpose in demonstrating invaluable means of sustaining agricultural issues not just local but on a global outlook. The farm produces seeds from the plants and distributes them to areas in the world were specific plant could offer better production compared to local plants with similar functions. The objective is to provide improved production at low cost. The greatest contribution these function make to buyer is that the sale is made with the intent that no need for a secondary purchase will be necessary. Unlike most products out in the world today, ECHO attempts to provide the means of self sustaining plants that will not require multiple purchase but instead have a high rate of self producing which greatly helps toward eliminating lack of foods and hunger issues. The plants as indicated provide superior sources of nutrients compared to available products in retail store. A complexity remains in lack awareness of these available products as most of the sales are generated on a word to mouth basis from tourists whom visited ECHO. Surprisingly, many of the plants that were introduced had the ability to produce at a high quantity while requiring little use of natural resources. These plants could be introduced to areas with high droughts and provide local people with a sustained source of provided foods. Additionally many of these plants are edible and contain about 5 times the nutrients common house hold products provide.

ECHO Park also demonstrates that the natural habitat does not have to take a back seat to societal needs. On the farm small examples are given how opportunity can be maximized by intergrading the use of it environment with common areas in society. The farm also illustrates that animals manure greatly enhances growth and health for many of the vegetation projects on the farm. Awareness of ECHO’s activities and success needs to be presented on a grander platform. I feel that many of today’s issues concerning foods and sustaining plant life in areas with harsh condition can be effectively addressed using the methods implanted at the farm. Hunger dominates many areas of the world and with the key right under our noses there should be no reason why solutions to these issues cannot be presented. Empowered with the key to the problem we can live up to our duties and responsibilities and provide the means to feed many of our hungry children by implementing this method to provide foods at an infinite amount.

Volunteering with FGCU’s Fruit Farming

Today I had the opportunity to volunteer my time in attempt to support non technological improvements of fruit farming. The day started early at 7:00 AM and many hands were available with common interest. I found it very interesting in that farming requires a lot of common sense combined with specific techniques. As a group we had to physically move soil from one location to another in order to create a terrain which was more adapt to allow for water retention and distribution. We specifically focused on creating gradual slopes along the top of banks locations for many plant. The overall experience was very gratifying and extremely demanding. Having been in colloquium for this semester, I have actively attempted to adjust my life to accommodate the environments needs. Today was no different except that I got to contribute hands-on to the well being of the local lands. At the end of the day I was extremely exhausted yet I knew that my energy was contributed to the highest importance. It has been a while since I have helped farm but it was refreshing to be reminded about the physical investment needed on our part to preserve our natural riches. Today, I was reminded that rebuilding the world starting with our local environment in no way will be of east means.

Reflect on my improved ecological footprint

        It has been a couple of weeks since I took the ecological foot print test. I have tried to change of couple of my behaviors in attempting to consume fewer resources. I must admit that it is pretty difficult. From taking shorter showers and using less air conditioning to using less electrical appliances in the house. The behavior has been a norm of mine for quite some time. Every time I am reminded of the suggested result of 6.5 planets need to sustain this behavior of a lifestyle I created. It seems as though ever phase of my life is involved with over consumption in some shape or form. I love food but it seems that my eating behavior can take a large reduction in consuming food. Not only would I retain a larger portion of my income in the long run but essentially I would be leaving more resources available for other much needier than myself. Another effort I have been making is less usage of my personal transportation in order to help conserve bio energy and create a reduced bio foot print as well. I guess adding this  increased awareness and  additional responsibilities should have been part of my behavior and lifestyle long ago. I do hope other become aware also so that we can all enjoy from each other contribution in the near future.

Relating sustainability to myself

Sustainability as a word blankets and bridges the intent of many words into an intent or objective. In relating sustainability as a concept of me, it can serve as a means of expressing a long term view of a continuous function. Sustainability in an ecological perspective always holds the long term as a constant view. The concept correlates in the fact that throughout my live I am continuously remaining active. Any decision I make can be measured against that sustainability, as in the consideration of how long those options will remain available. Like in ecology, any choice that alters at the slightest notion from its original purpose is not considered sustainable. The theory in sustainability is a constant presence while remaining unaltered. Unlike nature, many different part of my lifestyle get altered each day. These chances force me to subconsciously redirect path to arrive at the initial objective or goals. The purpose in my life remains sustainable but the path I take never is. The measure of sustainability in common with ecology is the main purpose. In sustaining my goals I have to interact with diverse components in life in order to adjust my life to remain on course on my intent.  Support is also a function utilized by me as I merge into societal hierarchy in order to contribute to life and its purpose. Sustainability expresses the order that must be maintained to provide balance and structure to a health and cohesive earth.

Maranzas Pass Preserve

I visited the Matanzas Pass Preserve. Upon entering the site, there was a sign which indicated that various portions of the area had been created and altered by storm and wave activity. Also mentioned was that since the 1940’s there has been human development resulting in the alteration in the natural landscape. At this point I took way along the designated path through the preserve. While walking along the path, I stopped to grasp the atmosphere of the preserve as a cool gently breeze passed through. It may have been due to my timing of afternoon, but there was little sound going around. It was very quiet as the only sound was that of the wind flowing through the trees. I really enjoyed the combination of the cover of shade and being blanketed by the subtle warm breeze. There were very few mosquitoes out, which made for a pleasant experience also. Strolling through the path, I observed the landscape and vegetation. Through the lower elevated areas the path was created by a low level man made bridge. As I entered the higher elevations the walkway merged with the natural ground. After speaking with some personnel maintaining the area, they stated that it was designed that way due to the level of water during the rainy season which would occupy the lower elevated areas. The vegetation was distinctively different in the lower areas compared to the higher elevated areas. In the lower areas the vegetation had its roots exposed more as water was available in abundance. The vegetation in the higher areas had their roots dug deep into the ground in order to have better access to the water supply and foods. I was also informed that the natural vegetation compared to exotic plants also handled turbulent climate changes much better since they were better adapted to withstand those conditions. Throughout my walk there was evidence of the human impact on the area, as there was pollution in the water and vegetation. Along with mangrove trees, Matanzas Pass Preserve also has the last maritime oak hammock community existent on Estero Island. Hammocks are elevated areas surrounded by wetlands or different vegetation. Most of the vegetations help cleanse water, as many of the vegetation play an important role of absorbing polluted water in order to purify it. There were not many birds out as it was very hot but I was able to see many crows and one other bird which I was not able to identify. Through the preserve there were dirt hills used as manmade barriers in order to help contain natural fire. In total the preserve consists of 60 acres which was originally inhabited by native Indians. The city of Fort Myers Beach is said to have purchased this land with the intent of preserving the region and there after turned over the title of land to Lee County with the agreement of maintaining its purpose. The preserve consists of 3 different types of mangroves which are named red mangrove, white mangrove and black mangrove. The mangroves are also responsible to majority to the leave litter visible in the preserve. Overall the experience was very calming, especially near the water where the visual was absolutely beautiful. It was very peaceful there. It is worth preserving.

ecological footprint

In taking the ecological footprint quiz, the result suggested that 6.5 planets would be needed to sustain my lifestyle if everyone on the planet had a typical lifestyle. That is a very concerning and scary thought due to the fact there is only planet available for us humans to live on. This planet is blessed with so many precious resources compared to the bareness of all other planets within our solar system. I honestly did not think my consumption required the suggested equivalence of 6.5 planets worth of resources. The scarier thought is also superior usage of fellow citizens. Being empowered with the knowledge of my impact I plan to adjust my lifestyle to reap less benefit from resource usage. It is a behavior of many years and do understand that it will require dramatic measures to alter the course of the planet in a whole. I do plan to focus on my personal impact as well as that based in the influence of family members and friends. Industries also need to take an active stand on imposing better practices and utilizing resources as more reasonable and sustainable levels. Corporations will need to let go of the notion that shareholder profit is the lone driver of their purpose. At this rate the structure of any life will come crumbling down if no action is taken. The only thing remain on this earth will be the initial inhabitants from the beginning of this earth’s history, bacteria.

Walk-About

As mentioned in my profile, I am originally from Suriname, South America. It is a hidden mystery and populated with only 350,000. Suriname is also part of the Amazon rain forest. I remember so many tropical trees and fruit all over the place. Complementary to all that vegetation were mosquitoes the size of dragons, well felt that at least. The trees seemed so lively at times as almost speaking or cheering me on. Often in my youth, I made it a point to spend time resting and starring at the motion branches of trees were taking by the wind. It also seemed as though the motion of the trees help magnify this gentle cool breeze in the strong gusty wind. Today as I reside in Cape Coral, occasionally I take a stroll around the local area. I remain dumb founded at how bare Cape Coral is. Florida considered the most tropical state of all the states is not living up to its name. When I take my walk, instead of being gently greeted by the wind, I feel as though I am in a furnace turning crusty and charcoaled. Instead of being protected by the soft shade to trees, I am feeling like an ant under a magnifying glass getting roasted. I am all for development of housing and population. I do feel like way to many trees and vegetation was all too willfully removed from these beautiful tropical areas at the cost of producing an extra penny. Cape Coral looks more like the Sahara desert then a lush tropical place. All over Florida does this type of landscape exists. Overall Florida does resemble its state tree the palm tree. This tree has a handful of branches and even fewer leaves. I am confident more fellow residents would be inspired to walk if the horizon did not look so bleak.