Earth Charter

"The resilience of the community of life and the well-being of humanity depend upon preserving a healthy biosphere with all its ecological systems, a rich variety of plants and animals, fertile soils, pure waters, and clean air." -The Earth Charter

The beauty of Earth is hidden behind the veils of disaster that wrap from ecosystem to ecosystem. Each ecosystem fighting it's own battle against human destruction and natural disasters that are different from their evolution of life. Even with these disasters, the ecosystems have an unexplainable beauty that only the species living in that ecosystem know how to maintain. The fertility of soils and biodiversity of species has evolved into the grandest collage that cannot be compared to anything else like it. We should preserve this biodiversity in order to maintain a stable ecosystem. Nothing like it can be created, therefore, we should take care of what we have before it slips from our hands. 

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/sep/28/price-biodiversity-species-worth-cop10

"The benefits of development are not shared equitably and the gap between rich and poor is widening. Injustice, poverty, ignorance, and violent conflict are widespread and the cause of great suffering." -The Earth Charter

To know that this is the truth is quite depressing. Not for the reason that there is a large number of rich and poor, but to know that there is a line in between both of these classes. In other words, why should there be classes. Equality can lead us to a farther journey simply because it gives the perspective of humanity to others. Instead of trying to have the best of the best, we should be satisfied with simple things in life. There is no reason to characterize individuals because at the end of the day we are all here to perform the same task in our ecosystem. Therefore, we should stop the suffering by ending the categorization of individuals.

http://www.polyp.org.uk/wealth-poverty_cartoons/cartoons_about_wealth_and_poverty.html

"Recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings."

Everything in this world has value regardless of what actions they perform on this planet. This is something that everyone should take under consideration because the avoidance of this has led to the problems that we face today. To know that everything plays a role in this world helps but complicates things when we are trying to research certain topics. To know that something as simple as a rock, can perform a variety of tasks is eye opening. For example, a rock can be the shelter for tiny insects and can be used for our advantage of crushing or cutting things. Various scientists have witnessed how everything has a role in this biosphere. They have learned to understand this because of the effects that have now been shown in our future from the changes that were performed in the past. We should learn from projects that have failed and learn that it is important to conserve and preserve as much as we can. 

http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-and-be-a-tree-hugger/

Ted Talk- Stewart Brand: The Dawn of De-Extinction

The proposal of bringing back extinct species is a good proposal but should be reviewed very carefully. I will not lie it is thrilling to know that there is a possibility of bring back extinct species but I do have many concerns with it. I do not think that we should try and bring extinct species back to this biosphere, because it will threaten the act of conserving and preserving current species that are endangered. Individuals would not take action into trying to save the ecosystems and all of our efforts into persuading people to preserve the environment will wash down the drain. Stewart answered the question that was asked, he said, "when these species come back, then they might replace the species that are there." When he said this, I thought well we are doing the same thing already so why should it matter to bring back the species. It is not okay to bring back species because that will cause yet another shift for these animals. It is important to protect the species now and leave nature do it's own job instead of us trying to be nature and do it's job. Yes, we are responsible for some of these extinctions that have occurred but we need to learn from it and not do the same thing. 

http://www.funniestmemes.com/funny-memes-the-true-reason-the-dinosaurs-became-extinct/

Orr

"Third, it was necessary to quiet whatever remaining sympathy we had for nature in favor of "hard" data that could be weighed, measured, counted, and counted to make a profit." -Pg. 189

This quote reminded so much about a previous discussion that we had about the richness of products. As individuals we tend to look for the cheapest products that can perform the same task as an expensive product. Or the other aspect is that as an individual we want to be unique and try to show off our expensive and luxurious products. I am not saying that all are like this but sometimes we do get caught up in the type of products that we buy. Again it all comes down to the price that other professionals place on the object. It is either that they want to profit from this or they believe that they have extent knowledge on the object. Sometimes one may get carried away with the technology that we have today and we believe we know what we should know about objects. However, there has been instances where we find out that useless things play an important role in useful things. It is insane to think about where we have come to and how profit overcomes the natural substance and it's role in the biosphere.

http://sppiblog.org/tag/coral-reefs

"Proper use requires gratitude, humility, charity, and skill." -Pg. 192

The proper use of the environment requires all of these characteristics because they all have something in common, patience. The reason this is mentioned is because one must be patient because some species may take longer than others to reach it's full potential. The processes of nature are to be left alone because through their years of evolution the species know what it has to do in order to survive through a rough climate. The environment is humble because it does not take more than what it needs. Species only take what they need in order to survive for the season and then they go on and find something else. They have the skill to know what actions they need to take in order to survive from all types of disasters. Like the environmentalist from the Naples Preserve mentioned that when there is a fire and a tortoise needs to get across then it will follow the fire all the way down until there is a break in the fire and then passes through. Its amazing how they have developed the ability of knowing little things like this. A species knows what's best for themselves, therefore, individuals should not try to manipulate this  because they want to "help" the species out. Instead we should be grateful and thank them for the things they do, because without them we wouldn't be where we are today.

http://kids.discovery.com/tell-me/animals/mammals/big-bears

"Jay Gould (1991), "We cannot win this battle to save species and environments without forging an emotional bond between ourselves and nature as well--for we will not fight to save what we do not love"(p.14). -Pg. 197

Reading this quote allowed me to understand exactly what I have been trying to figure out this whole time. It is the bond that allows one to care for others that will allow one to protect what they love. A connection that is unexplainable and that allows one to feel the escape of all negativity, in other words, their sense of place. It is that connection that proves to the person that they would do anything to protect it. It is just like in the book A Land Remembered, how Zech cried when his parents property was remodeled. This event allowed Zech to open his eyes of what Toby felt when he found out that Zech had tore down the custard apple forest. It's events like these that allow us to realize what we truly love. We fight for what we love and there is no stopping us. We should consider this and learn to love nature because without it we won't be able to survive.

http://www.bewallpaper.com/free-nature-love-desktop/

Field Trip Reflection

The field trip that made the biggest impression on me was the CREW field trip. The field trip expanded my sense of place and confirmed it because it reminded me so much of Mexico. Certain areas that were green and full of life and some areas were dry and brown. These different areas reminded of my favorite parts of Mexico, which is my hometown Zimapan, Hidalgo and my uncle's hometown, Guadalcazar, San Luis Potosi. As I stepped on the property, I felt this rush through my body in which I felt safe, relaxed, and happy. A feeling in which I was in a completely different world, away from all technological devices, media, and negativity. As we walked through the trail, I was fascinated to learn about the environment such as the prairies, swamps, and cypress domes. Observing my surrounds I saw all the small characteristics that are not usually seen in the city. Looking at all of the snake holes, or the way each plant species adapted and showed its natural beauty that can be seen as soon as one takes a step back from that fast life that most individuals now live. The experience led to an understanding that life's beauty is simple and can be the most exotic. The simple life is seen as the environment itself as it can sustain itself without the assistance of humans. Meaning that it does not need the new technologies and modifications of environmental genetics for it to live. This impacted me in various ways for both the present and future. In regards with my present, this allowed me to confirm that my sense of place is being near the environment. It soothes me and comforts me by being surrounded by nature and all the living species around me. It has helped me open my eyes that we should preserve our environment because without it then we will make our life harder. For example, cellular respiration and photosynthesis work hand in hand. Without one, the other will not be able to function. Well if we are without the environment then we would not be able to survive or we would struggle to survive. This allowed me to act now to change certain ways of my life in order to save and preserve the environment. In regards with my future, it allows me be more open and teach the future generations the same things that I have been taught. Another addition is that whenever I feel stressed or living the "on the go" life I can go to these areas and take a step back and enjoy nature as it soothes and comforts me. There is no need of staying at five star hotels or a resort in order to feel relaxed. On the contrary with a simple run on a nature trail or watching the sunset on a vast land full of wildlife and the natural surrounds tops all of these luxury resorts. It just amazes because before this field trip I was trying to be someone I am not. Someone that was interested in brands, fine dinning, and having luxury items. When I stepped on these grounds, it was brought to my attention that I am not that type of girl. All of these luxury items have no meaning and they come and go. Unlike the simple natural things that can be cherished for years to come. The simplicity of life makes things less complicated and allowed me to fulfill the emptiness that I have been carrying for the last year. This brings a thought to mind that Goodall had mentioned in regards with the chimps. She has said that they had to thank the chimps because of them they were able to make the life changes in the villages. Well in my case, I would like to thank my mother's struggle, because without that I would have not transferred universities and I would have not taken University Colloquium. Without this class, I would not have found my sense of place and I would not have had the opportunity of me taking a step back and appreciating the simple life that I once lived.

Mexico Trip on January 23, 2014. Zimapan, Hidalgo. Taken by Jennifer Trejo. 

Mexico trip on January 23, 2014. Zimapan, Hidalgo. Taken by Brianda Martinez.

CREW Field Trip on February 26, 2014. Taken by Brianda Martinez

Guadalcazar, San Luis Potosi. 

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=368972&page=23