Diamond

1. “The past offers us a rich database from which we can learn, in order that we may keep on succeeding.” –Pg. 17

             Learning from the past is a way for one to determine whether their actions are correct or not. It is a lock to check whether the key fits, therefore, meaning that their decision was the right choice. However, how does one know whether they are making the correct choice? It is until we receive the result that indicates whether the choice was correct or not. Therefore, this allows me to think about our generation. We have database to learn from but we do not apply it. We have the education to learn how to preserve objects but we find ways to work around it, which end up depleting our ecosystem even more. I feel like we do not learn from our past and we end up causing more problems than what we began with. In certain situations we do not learn from the past but in certain situations we do. For instance, the Everglades are now preserved and before this was not in our mind. Hence, we can learn about the past in certain situations but we should consider them more often.

http://explanationrequired.blogspot.com/2010/07/lessons-learned-from-lion-king.html

2. “If this reasoning is correct, then our efforts today will determine the state of the world in which the current generation of children and young adults lives out their middle and late years.” –Pg. 22

             This quote has allowed me to think about the actions of our past generation and the actions of our present generation. Our past generations have performed mistakes but so has our present and future generation. We have learned and incorporated different eco-friendly tasks into our everyday lives, such as recycling. However, we continue to increase the greenhouse gases or the use of nonrenewable resources. Also numerous developmental plans continue to take place in wildlife areas. It’s scary to think that we are doing all these changes to help our economy, but little do we know that we are damaging ourselves in the long run. For instance, due to these changes future generations will not see the ecosystems that we have nor will they witness species that are soon to be extinct. It’s sad to know that future generations will not be able to witness this and even our present generations do not know much about the species in Florida. For instance, I know there is a lot more that I should know about Florida and I am guilty to have lived here my whole life. As a native Floridian I feel like I should know more than what I know.

http://blogs.trb.com/news/opinion/chanlowe/blog/environment/

3. “Even signs in hotel rooms now invoke love of the environment to make us feel guilty if we demand fresh towels or let the water run.” Pg. 24.

             This quote caught my attention, because in hotels that I have stayed at do have these signs. When I read them it reminds me of a lesson that my mother taught me. That is, to reuse and take care of objects that I have. Therefore, when I stay at hotels I reuse my towels and I do not ask for more than needed. This also brought a flashback with the book A Land Remembered. The scene where Tobias mentions that he does not take more than needed. I feel like more people should try and preserve, instead of trying to have more than required. Either way, I think this is a good idea so the population can remember that we need to limit the use of our resources. By preserving, it will cost less to restore what was depleted, because the damage is not as severe.

http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/do-you-equate-wealth-with-hard-work/question-1984667/?link=ibaf&q=&esrc=s

Plan B 4.0

1. "Beyond this, the owners of the world’s 910 million automobiles want to maintain their mobility, and most are not particularly concerned about whether their fuel comes from an oil well or a corn field." 

-Pg. 5. 

When reading this sentence I started to think about how much fuel I use and how I obtain my fuel. I will not lie that I also play a part into the consumption of gasoline. I believe it is absurd to think that we are not greedy when it comes to gasoline. As soon as prices rise we complain, but when prices are lowered we are happy not realizing that we consume more than necessary. We essentially drive ourselves into the increase in prices because we consume more than necessary allowing fuel to become scarce. Fuel becoming scarce is the reason why price is increased. From this being said, my family is from Hidalgo, Mexico. In Hidalgo, there are not many cars and many people either travel on foot or take a bus. Therefore, fuel efficiency is performed there. As a Mexican-American, I grew up with automobiles all around me and people constantly talking about fuel pricing. Comparing both of these lives, it brings a realization of how unnecessary it is to have automobiles or one should have fuel efficient cars or take the bus. The life style in Mexico shows that one can survive without a car, especially since this population lives in the middle of no where and the people have to climb mountain ranges. I'm not saying we should climb mountains or that we live in the same way, but we should consider fuel efficient tasks. This includes, walking to a location that is near by or even using a fuel efficient car or taking the bus.

http://verdavivo.wordpress.com/category/transportation/

2. "In Mexico—home to a population of 109 million that is projected to reach 129 million by 2050—the demand for water is outstripping supply." -Pg. 41.

The thought of Mexico's high population is a frighting thought. This means more people need water in order to survive. As a result more aquifers will be demanded. I had the opportunity to see changes in Mexico city and it amazes me of how many homes are built each time. In Mexico City it is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. Having the ability to see how many homes keep filling these mountains to the top is astonishing. This means that the population is increasing faster than expected. Therefore, this increases the demand for food and water. It frightens me, because there will be a point where there is not enough food let alone water. Then what will we do if this happens or is there anything that can be done? Therefore, I think Mexico should try to find ways to maintain their population, as well as other countries.

Taken by: Brianda Martinez

Mexico City, Mexico 2011

Mexico City, Mexico 2013

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2401975/Amazing-aerial-photos-Mexico-City-natural-boundaries-stand-way.html

"Mounting population densities, once generated solely by population growth, are now also fueled by the relentless advance of deserts and may soon be affected by the projected rise in sea level." -Pg 51.

When I read this sentence, I thought about an article that I had read in a science magazine. It informed one about the increase in water levels and how the top cities in the United States would be below water. I remember the cities mentioned were Miami, Los Angeles, and New York. As I read through the article it mentioned that due to great effects of the climate it would change our ecosystems dramatically regardless of our clean up now. Therefore, this quote allowed me to think about how we need to act now to contain some damages. If we control population densities or at least change certain ways of life we would be able to contain some of the damages for our future generations. If we keep doing what we are doing, our next generations are the ones who will be in trouble. However, the thought of the most beautiful places in the world will be under water because we have fueled these catastrophes is a guilty feeling. Knowing that I played a role into this allows me to be motivated to change certain things that I do. 

http://www.jlconline.com/climate-change/miami-ponders-its-future-on-the-edge-of-a-higher-sea_o.aspx

A Land Remembered

Rather than selecting quotes from this story, choose a character from the book. Briefly describe who the character is and their role in the novel. How does the character relate to their environment and the natural world? What is the character’s sense of place and legacy? How do you relate to this character? What is your sense of place and how does this relate to the character? What is your legacy and how does it relate to the character? Compare and contrast.

The character that I choose is Zech, he is the Son of Emma and Tobias. His role in the story is to help his father with their cattle company and to assist his mom when needed. I feel like Zech is the closest one to nature. The way he treats his dogs, Nip and Tuck, and his horse Ishmael, is remarkable. He treats them as his family and they all become one according to different events of the story. Zech’s sense of place is in the swamp and handling all of animals. His legacy is to teach others that if you bring the natural world into your family there will be great outcomes. For instance, when Zech and Ishmael raced against Thunder it felt like Zech and Ishmael became one. The way the horse ran and the way Zech controlled his speed through caring and motivational words. It felt like Ishmael knew when Zech wanted him to go faster or slower. Due to this, they won the race and won property. I feel like I relate to this character through his love of the natural world. The way he treats the natural world is the same way I would. For instance, the way he protects his animal friends is the way I would if I was in his place. When my grandmother had her farm I would always protect and nurture the animals, because I felt like they were a part of my family. I feel like my sense of place is to teach others to appreciate the little things in life, including nature. As a child, I always loved to be out and take the initiative to teach others about natural life. Therefore, I feel like I can relate to Zech in various ways. His personality and his caring is the same as I. My legacy has always been to teach others that there is more to life than materialistic objects. For instance, as a child my Grandmother taught me to love the small things and to endure the natural world. Therefore, even though Zech learned that for himself we still share the same characteristic. The difference between him and I is that as a child he always appreciated everything around him. I learned this concept as a child but I had someone else teach me this. Overall, Zech is a great character and will remain to be regardless of his actions.

http://richardlpowers.vpweb.com/A-Land-Rem-Series-Orignials.html

Grunwald

1. "Gore would only pledge to seek "a balance solution" that would help the economy without harming the environment." -Pg. 83.

    From this quote one can see how Gore was for and against the environment. This shows how hard it was for him to choose a side, especially since he sent a research team to see how we would benefit. The good outcome was that the project of the airport was postponed, but he still did not stand up for the Everglades. There could have been changes towards saving the Everglades if he did stand up. This brings a thought about the species that are endangered. For instance, would the numbers of the Florida Panthers be higher if the Everglades would have been saved. It's a thought that shall remain unsolved. The only thing that one can do is try to conserve the species that still remain so they do not undergo extinction. Therefore, senators should be more informed with regards to the environment. This way they can make decisions with regards to an endangered community.



http://www.floridapanther.com/articles/FLORIDA%20PANTHER.htm


2. "Nobody has provided a compelling case that this is going to work", he blurted. "So far, it doesn't totally pass the smell test, if you want the honest truth." -Pg. 89.

    This quote was a slap to the face when I read it. The sense of not saving something because it does not show an advantage at the moment is ridiculous. The Everglades is an advantage to our ecosystem and should be saved. The advantage is the shelter for animals that we have evacuated due to our shelters. The other point is that he says "it doesn't totally pass the smell test", however, he does not think that cars do not pass the smell test with their release of CO. Yet,thanks to the many trees that habitat there our air is clean. Therefore, his comment should be reconsidered, because if it wasn't for this habitat we would be breathing polluted air.



http://www.123rf.com/photo_2448729_airplants-growing-on-cypress-trees-in-everglades-national-park-florida.html

3. "In 1983, restoring the natural health and function of this precious system seemed to be a distant dream," he said. "After seventeen years of bipartisan progress, we now stand on the brink of this dream becoming a reality." -Pg. 92.

    A dream becoming a reality is always memorable, especially when one has been fighting for it for so long. Their dream of restoring this system has followed through and is still going on today. As a student, I took a trip to the Everglades and I remember the staff mentioning that some areas were affected due to land building. They explained how species were affected and how urbanization has damaged  our ecosystem. The food chain was explained and how other communities are affected, which later on affected our ecosystem. Therefore, it's a great thing to know that Senator Graham passed on this program. This helps by getting the word out and motivating others to make a difference to save the Everglades.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU0_tGHlR7g