Article Relating to Richard Kahn's "Towards Ecopedagogy"

http://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/22/us/critics-rise-up-against-environmental-education.html?src=pm

Richard Kahn's "Towards Ecopedagogy"

Said by Richard Kahn, “…our moment is new – never before have the collected mass beings of the planet Earth been so thoroughly threatened with extinction as they are now and never before have so many of us raised this problem consciously and desperately together in the hopes of transforming society towards a better, more peaceable kingdom as a result.”  This statement speaks volumes for our future.  If our society does not step up and work towards making our world a better place to live, there will be a slim chance for future generations. 

            One way citizens can help make our world a better place to live, is to enhance environmental literacy.  According to the article, “95% of all American adults support having environmental education programs in schools, 85% of all American adults believe that governmental agencies should support environmental education programs, and 80% believe that corporations should train their employees in how to solve environmental problems.”  Due to these large percentages, I think it is vital for education on the environment to be a required part of the education system in schools and training systems for jobs.  “Federal and state legislatures have mandated that environmental education be included as part of the public education system’s curricular concerns with passage of legislation such as the National Environmental Education Act of 1990.”  This is very necessary because the individuals whom are educated on environmental issues are self-aware of the role they play in environmental destruction and they are more socially active in ways that can help to create a more ecological and sustainable world. 

            Another way to make our world a better place is to focus more on Ecology.  According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “Ecology is the scientific study of interactions of organisms with one another and with the physical and chemical environment.”  Ecology also includes the study of environmental problems such as pollution.  Ecology is very important and our whole society needs to work together towards the conservation and preservation of nature.  Citizens need to be aware that human interaction with nature is a key component of keeping our society from extinction.

            In order for social and ecological change, environmental education needs to remain a primary institution.  Change, for the better, deserves to be fought for.  Our citizens need to all step up and make a difference in society before it is too late.  This cannot occur unless individuals are aware of how important environmental literacy is and how important it is to work together towards the conservation and preservation of nature.

           

Water Forum & Google Alerts

After reading Water Adapting to a New Normal, I realized how neglected the topic of “water” really was in today’s society.  I learned a lot about how humans are affected by the limited water supply, and what we can do in attempt to help fix our water supply issue.

Not only are humans affected by today’s water, but so is marine life.  I follow “Pollution” on Google Alerts, and the article Government Acts Against Marine Pollution caught my eye.  Currently, there are measures being implemented to address the problem of pollution that is threatening our fish habitat.  The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is working with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to try to prevent and eliminate marine pollution.  According to United Nations Environment Programme’s coordinator for the Global Program of Action, “…up to 90 percent of sewage in developing countries is discharged untreated into rivers, lakes and oceans, posing one of the most serious threats to water resources.”  This problem needs to be taken very seriously by the government and businesses.  It is not fair for our marine life to be harmed by our careless actions. 

The Colorado River & Pollution

Many people take enjoyable things for granted, such as white water rafting.  In order for individuals to continue enjoying white water rafting in the Colorado River, higher action needs to be taken.  Many individuals do not realize how serious the water pollution problems in the Colorado River are becoming.  The pollution problems are due to radioactive material, toxic chemicals, and human waste.  These sources of pollution enter the Colorado River through contaminated groundwater.  Not only does the pollution problems affect white water rafting, it also affects the 25 million people who drink its water as well as the surrounding wildlife and parks. 

VIDEO:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwHbJ50SNFo

McKibben

Thee Bill McKibben

A writer and activist

Wanted to change minds

Focus on future

Act before it is too late

Stop climate change now

Sustainability

I have never used Google Alerts before so it is very new to me.  I didn’t know that it even existed.  Over the past few days, I have been getting alerts on the topics of Air Pollution and Air Quality from the most popular resources on the internet.  Google Alerts makes research and current information on a topic easy to find, especially since I receive the alerts via email.  Another new thing to me was the idea of following an account on Twitter that is all about environmental issues.  I didn’t know that there were these types of Twitter accounts, and I think that it is a pretty interesting way to stay updated with environmental issues.

Sustainability is used to make sure that we continue to have the resources and materials to protect our health and environment.  Air pollution is the sustainability issue that I brought up in my last blog post.  There are many concerns about the environment due to rapid population growth, economic growth, and consumption of our natural resources.  If the air pollution issue isn’t taken care of, then our environment may eventually die out.  Sustainability is important because it is crucial that this does not happen.  The EPA is trying to make sustainability the next level of environmental protection.  They plan on doing this by using the advances in science and technology to protect the environment as well as human health.

Environmental Issue

The Environmental Protection Agency needs to do a better job at enforcing their regulations on greenhouse gases and other environmental issues.  The EPA’s regulations could be very beneficial if they were more greatly enforced.

EPA needs to continue to promote even cleaner technology as well as promote voluntary programs to reduce vehicle, engine, and equipment activity.  The EPA can promote alternative forms of transportation such as buses, trains, bicycles, and carpooling.

Vehicles and engines need to be better designed to improve transit options.  The programs to reduce mobile source pollution need to also address the fuels used by vehicles, engines, and equipment as well as the people who operate them.

If our reliance on mobile sources continues to grow without any further action, the mobile source pollution will eventually start to increase again.  The EPA needs to limit or restrict the use of mobile sources since they are the largest contributor to air toxics. These air toxics are pollutants that are suspected to cause cancer or other serious health and environmental effects. The global climate keeps changing due to greenhouse gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere.  If the air continues to be polluted and if the climate keeps changing, our environment may eventually die out.

The EPA, combined with the manufacturers of vehicles, engines, and fuel, along with state and local governments, transportation planners, and citizens, need to all work together.  We need to make sure that we are improving our air quality and ensuring a future for our planet.

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