Survey Results

I have reached the required amount of people who are supposed to take my survey, but I don't think I have enough information. I have 20 responses from non-smokers and 1 from a smoker. This hasn't really given me much information on how much and why college students smoke so I decided to create an additional survey on why people choose to or choose not to smoke. So far, I have a few responses which has helped me to see that people really do consider the negative effects of smoking on the body and try to stay away from cigarettes. Someone said that they were "unattractive and bad for you" in addition to people saying that they have been pressured by friends before. I think this second survey will help me get the results I need.

original survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L3SKMFD
additional survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CJ5FZZT

Possible Theories - Sociology

Two possible theories to use for smoke addiction:

Social Learning Theory - People commit criminal or delinquent acts if they believe that it will lead to acceptance by and approval of these important people in their lives. Akers social learning theory places  more of an emphasis on imitation (modeling) as influencing our behavior.

Differential Association Theory - Three things necessary for crime: 1) must learn definitions favorable to delinquency, 2) must learn techniques, 3) must have opportunity. Four weights or modalities: priority in life, duration, frequency, intensity.

Survey Results

Not many people have taken my survey yet, but most of the results were from non smokers. I'm looking to get more survey takers from smokers to get both sides of the story on addiction.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L3SKMFD

"Indigenous Resistance and Racist Schooling on the Borders of Empires: Coast Salish Cultural Survival"

The article "Indigenous Resistance and Racist Schooling on the Borders of Empires: Coast Salish Cultural Survival" by Michael Marker is a portrayal of an Coast Salish community that resisted assimilation and the struggle to maintain their culture. The separation of these indigenous people from their daily lifestyle caused children to be separated from their families and culture as they were forced to go to boarding school. The english settlers who were forcing a new culture upon the community believed that the natives were corrupt due to their religion and lack of education. School districts were divided to give everyone a fair and equal chance, but still resulted in unwanted change. Laws were placed on traditions and native languages, causing struggles with the US and Canadian governments. These governments added to racist sentiments because they continuously tried to eliminate or hide the existing cultures. In efforts to keep daily life the same, Coast Salish communities continue to display traditional thoughts and ceremonies to the youth of the region.

I believe it was unfair and unjust to try and assimilate the people of the Coast Salish community. Every region or type of people have the right to believe and practice their own culture in whatever way they choose to. By forcing the American culture on this community, their rights and lives were violated in a harmful way. It contradicts what the United States stands for and hopes to provide for citizens.

Environmental Ethics Artifact #2

PETA

OMG: McDonald's Does The Right Thing

quixoticpedagogue.org

Sustainable Food In Northern Virginia

"In the region nearest to Washington DC there is a vibrant agricultural heritage, and interests in organic farming and food activism are creating strong demand for locally produced and sourced food."


The need for sustainable energy and food in Northern Virginia is quickly growing. Residents and area leaders and pushing a local food production system that reaches wholesale markets. "What was once the province of upscale chefs who tailored their menus to the local harvest is now the procurement strategy of not only chains such as Whole Foods, Wal-Mart and Chipotle, but even the White House and Congress." The food system is planned to increase the market located around Washington, D.C. that expands in other regions. The greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area provides leadership from the United State Department of Agriculture and helps in encourage the rest of the nation to provide sustainable and organic food products. A great example of the leadership is the White House organic vegetable garden or Michelle Obama's Vegetable Garden. This well broadcasted garden provides an example of at home opportunities and the need for organic foods. 

Northern Virginia Sustainable Food

Kahn And Class Discussion

"Thus, 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. And yet, the present does not arise in a vacuum, but rather out of the concreteness of history itself."

After reading this article, it is seen that Kahn is a large supporter of environmental literacy and preservation. He specializes is animal pedagogy and environmental ethics. This article was a lot easier to read than the last one, but the large amount of numbers and statistics made it confusing at times. Kahn attempts to educate the American public with topics of ecology, the environmental movement, and environmental survival. The quote above was interesting to me because it states that the modern American public is so threatened by the imposing environmental issues in today's society. I think it's very accurate when it says that the public is not conscious or aware of the "imposing extinction". I think it's interesting that Kahn says our current efforts are not enough for survival.

Artifact

McShane, K. (2009), Environmental Ethics: An Overview. Philosophy Compass, 4: 407–420. doi: 10.1111/j.1747-9991.2009.00206.x

This essay provides an overview of the field of environmental ethics. It sketches the major debates in the field from its inception in the 1970s to today, explaining both the central tenets of the schools of thought within the field and the arguments that have been given for and against them. It describes the main trends within the field as a whole and reviews some of the criticisms that have been offered of prevailing views.

The Climate Movement Takes On Fracking: Interview With Bill McKibben

This article focuses on the new emphasis on hydraulic fracking by environmental groups like 350.org.  Bill McKibben is "part of a push to scale back the oil and gas industry's efforts to expand shale drilling", in this case, the state of Ohio. Fracking has led to water and oil pollution, large water consumption needs, and tremors to the injection of the fracking wastewater into the earth. Ohio Governor Kasich passed a law allowing tracking in state parks in 2011. The USFS then removed 3,000 acres from a federal oil and gas lease sale. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) allowed for 27 new wells in February and 19 new wells in January, adding more drilling and fracking to the state of Ohio. In addition, brine-injection wells are asked to stop drilling to see if they are the reason for 12 earthquakes in a non-siesmically active area. The new bill as of March 2012, known as the Senate Bill 315, would "raise the state's brine disposal fees from five to ten cents on in-state waste and from twenty cents to $1 on out-of-state waste". The govenor of Ohio has also proposed a new 2012 budget to expand prices on the oil and gas industry and cut taxes. It is clear that Ohio governor is attemption to expand fracking with little regulations on state residents. Bill McKibben has now promoted "Don't Frack Ohio" in attempt to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 394ppm to 350ppm.


The Climate Movement Takes On Fracking: Interview With Bill McKibben

EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination

The article, EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination, is about the new realization that water pollution was linked to hydraulic fracturing. The EPA came to this conclusion while drilling in Wyoming, attempting to determine if this poses a risk to drinking water and water resources. The contaminating substance is likely to be leaking from gas wells that are used in fracking and with frack fluids. This leads to the direct mixture of fracking fluids with ground water. This determined contamination may help to improve natural gas resources and the safety of the fracking process in the future. Whether or not there is a high risk, researchers hope that the indication of factors may enforce more strict rules and eliminate threats to drinking water. 

It was surprising to read that the head spokesperson of EnCana was denying this issues and called it offensive to the company. Though many reports of foul water have been issued, Hock would not identify the cause or that it had any relation to the company. The EPA investigated and will continue to review the fracking process undergone by this company. 

Visual Rhetoric

Visual rhetoric is a visual image that expresses cultural meaning rather than just aesthetic consideration. This image is part of the WWF's campaign to improve biodiversity protection and sustainable development. The image is of two rhino's in the wild, both is spray paint graffiti on the sides of their bodies. This is a connection to the growing vandalism and spread of human destruction into the wilderness. The image shows how there is no boundary between human effects and the wild animals that are slowly becoming affected. The vandalism is supposed to evoke a feeling of sorrow and guilt in the human population towards wild animals, such as these rhinos. This image is easy to connect to and can be understood by all ages, especially the young adults who are mostly effecting/affected.

Turtle Island #3

"By Frazier Creek Falls"
The theme of this poem is the beauty of nature. It describes to landscape and uses strong imagery to show the complex beauty. Snyder states that we don't need manmade items such as clothes or tools because mankind needs to appreciate and enjoy the wonders of nature. The human race is so small compared to the earth and needs to realize their importance compared to the world as a whole. 

"Without"
The theme of this poem is the energy of nature. It explains the gracefulness and elegance of the power. The  complexity is seen through the silence, but with undeniable power. Snyder states that the power is seen by whatever it passes and there is no end to what it will face. The power moves with ease and grace, showing no pain or difference in strength. 

"No Matter, Never Mind"
The poem's theme is nature's "family". In the first two stanzas, the father is void meaning that he is everything that is not seen. The mother waves, meaning that it is nature and the environment. Lastly, the child is matter, meaning it is everything that comes from the earth. When matter and the environment mix, it creates life and energy. The result of this family is the mind, which is the mentality of the human race. 

Second Reading of Turtle Island

"Steak"
This poem was really unique in the way it discussed the meat industry and cattle raising. It highlighted the differences and transition between the way the cattle live and were raised to the way they are prepared and served in restaurants. It is a very dramatic and somber description of the way cattle are raised for only the benefit of humans and their consumption. These animals' whole lives are for human's gain and in no way humane.

"For the Children"
This poem was really interesting because last time, I read the poem 'For the Poets'. This poem discussed the generation of children and the growth it has created. Snyder discusses how this generation is not as successful as expected and may not last. In order to survive, the newest generation needs to learn how to survive and live with the land, instead of on it.

"Tomorrow's Song"
This poem talks about the future of our world and our environment. It discusses what the humans have done to the earth and how all the other living creatures have no input into how the world turns out. Snyder speaks about the actions we should take to prevent further harm and how to use the resources of the environment. If we do not change our ways, the human race will not survive on the earth.

Class Discussion

The discussion in class consisted mostly of themes of the poems in Turtle Island. We talked about his styles of writing and topics of each poems. He separates the poems into four sections based on the themes of the pieces. Also, Snyder writes his poems in unique styles, like ending them with strange, complicated phrases. I think he does this to add dramatic effect or leave a lasting impression on the reader.
We also talked about the lifestyles and opinions of people in bioregions. In order to change the problems in specific bioregions (overpopulation, pollution, overconsumption, etc), the people and living organisms in each region must change. Whether this be a simple option like more use of public transportation or drastic measures like a completely new life, in a new location. We discussed what effects our lifestyle, like backgrounds and religion. Dr. Taylor asked us to go beyond our current way of life to explore other options and see the world in a different way.

Turtle Island

"Mother Earth: Her Whales"

The theme of this poem is differences between countries. Snyder analyzes countries like Japan, China, Brazil, and the United States and states that they have ruined the natural resources and wildlife of each country. He uses examples like plants (Brazil), whales (Japan), tigers (China), and otters (the United States) to show what animals and natural wildlife is being destroyed due to governments and powerful people. "Standing Tree People! Flying Bird People! Swimming Sea People! Four-legged, Two-legged, people!" (page 48, lines 49-52). He states that all living creatures are all the same and are all people. Snyder tries to emphasize the point that all the useless taking from the Earth needs to be put to an end and that changes need to be made all over the world.

"The Dazzle"

The theme of this poem is the complexity of mother nature. With the use of syntax, Snyder explains the process of a seed growing underground to become a flower. This process is expected and normal, but is complex because it occurs underground where no one can see it or explain it. The "dazzle" is the growing design of the roots of the plants in the soil. 

"As For Poets"

The theme of this poem is the beauty of poetry. Snyder explains the complexity of poetry and the feelings it can create in an individual. Each type of poet he describes is different and shows a more unique side to poetry. Snyder included this poem to show the feelings he hopes to express through his poetry and to show how much poetry has impacted his life. 

Summary of the McKibben podcast and bioregional quiz

The book written by McKibben portrays a world called E-A-A-R-T-H, a new and changed planet from what the population was born into.  This earth contains the same daily activities and necessities for life, just in new ways that have been developed due to the expansion of humans. The population has taken all of the resources of the planet and pushed the Earth to known limits. The planet will soon run out of space and capacity for life. McKibben states that the United States is used to a sense of large and expansive progress, but because of the deteriorating world, the population must cut back on usage and emissions. Many factors are affected by this change including space to live, the economy, and the food system.

The world is also expanding in ways other than the environment. In the modern age, the Internet allows people to be connected across the world. This view allows the population to not dwell on local life, but to see the world as a whole. The Internet also allows people to work and make a change in places all around the world.

The bioregional quiz showed students that many people do not know the environment around them as well as hoped. The environment is always changing and cannot be helped with people do not know what is effected and affecting the world. By taking this quiz, students realized how little is known about topics such as drinking water, plants, summer storms, and stars. These topics are slowly changing on Earth but are necessary to know if the population is trying to help prevent further damage. 

E-A-A-R-T-H notes

After reading both parts of the podcast, I thought many things McKibben said were very interesting. First, it was interesting to read that "our world is not the world we were born into". Obviously, we still live on the same planet, but so many things have changed. The same basic functions of our world are there, just adapted and changed to meet the Earth. And some of these changes are not exactly good. These changes are because of the damage we have placed on our planet, and even though we try to undo or delay these problem, we have to understand that we have permanently damaged the Earth and will have to deal with it for as long as we live.

We also lack the space and funds to help prevent these problems. The population tries to lower fossil fuel use, carbon dioxide emissions, etc. but the fact of the matter is that our economy is in debt and there are other pressing issues. I thought it was really interesting when McKibben stated " we're already starting to run into limits". These limits are both financially and environmentally.

McKibben also said that as Americans, we are used to and like 'bigness'. We are so used to living large, that when we are faced with these issues, we don't take them seriously and put in enough effort. As he said, we are afraid of our lives "getting too small" or "too local."