Journal in Three Stages
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Journal in Three Stages
Week 1 Questions
Where In Your Own Life Do You Experience the “Split Between What We Think and What We Do” That Michael Pollan Refers To
One of the examples where I experience a split between what I think and what I do is using my car to move to various places neglecting the basic fact of the harm, which may be caused by the carbon emissions, which may negatively affect the environment (Mancuso et al., 2015). In my mind, I have adequate information on the negative effects of carbon emissions and the need to conserve energy which I ignore most of the times and do the opposite (Mancuso et al., 2015).
Michael Pollan writes, “If You Bother, You Will Set an Example for Other People.” Whose Example Has Inspired You?
One example, which has inspired me, is the invention of electric cars by BMW, which is aimed at conserving the environment through reduced carbon emissions (Werlen, 2015). The vehicles are hybrid vehicles meaning that they use the ordinary petrol/diesel engine as well as an electric motor to operate. Due to the increase in the usage of vehicles to move from one place to another, this invention will play a large role in preventing climate change if it is adopted across the world (Werlen, 2015).
What Was The Most Striking Reading, Viewing, Podcast, Or Conversation You Have Had In Week 1? Explain Why. Talk About ‘A Call to Sustainability’
One of the most striking readings on the call to sustainability is that regardless of the alarming dangers facing the world, humans are still ignorant and continue to carry out their normal activities, which are a threat to the environment (Pope, 2016). There are future predictions of a scarcity in energy and negative effects due to climate change. This however does not scare individuals to start looking for other options since energy is very important in most of the operations in different countries (Pope, 2016). The world oil production has remained constant regardless the increase in oil consumption across the world. Industries depend on energy to produce foods and other products all across the world, which makes it a major concern to all countries across the world to start looking for alternatives to oil (Pope, 2016).
What Behavior Would You Like To Change That Would Contribute Toward Sustainability? Share What It Might Take To Change That Behavior and How That Behavior Change Would Be a Step toward Sustainability
Changes to individual behaviors may have a big impact toward sustainability. Some countries and agencies have implemented certain strategies to encourage positive behavior change to help in preserving the environment and in creating a sustainable future (Werlen, 2015). One of the behaviors that I would like to change that would contribute toward sustainability are negative habits which are attributed to social norms which are powerful in impacting individuals to behave in certain ways (Werlen, 2015). Some of the negative habits include wastage of resources in complete disregard of the future generation, which is not fair as it leads to depletion of important resources negatively affecting the environment. A change in social norms will help in mentoring individuals in the society to adopt positive behaviors, which is important in creating responsible individuals (Werlen, 2015).
Week 2 Questions
Could You Use The Factors Toward Behavior Change That You Learned About This Week To Change The Behavior You Most Want To Change? Explain Why or Why Not
There are different factors that influence individuals towards behavior change which include social norms, attitudes, and culture (Brown & Earth Policy Institute, 2009). These factors may be used to change negative habits, which are harmful and may lead to the creation of an unsustainable environment. Social norms play a vital role in shaping an individual’s behavior and attitudes as they impact individuals from a young age (Brown ; Earth Policy Institute, 2009). This includes social groups, associations, and norms in the society, which determine the value and functionality of a society. Culture also affects human behavior by instilling certain positive beliefs to individuals as they grow up. These factors may be used to impact behavior change in the society. This may also influence how an individual looks at a situation and the benefits of engaging in certain processes (Brown ; Earth Policy Institute, 2009).
After Learning About The State Of Our Earth In The First Two Weeks Of Class, What Most Concerns You And Why?
What concerns me about the state of our earth is the depletion of important resources, which are aimed at sustaining the earth, which if depleted, may negatively impact human life (Brown ; Earth Policy Institute, 2009). Most of the earth’s resources are meant to sustain human life and require protection and maintenance by individuals (Brown & Earth Policy Institute, 2009). It is disturbing how the same individuals are inconsiderate regarding the resources by not utilizing the current resources efficiently regardless of the alarming warnings and signs of the dangers of their activities. Increased pollution is increasingly becoming a health concern, which is also attributed to human activities (Brown & Earth Policy Institute, 2009).
What Do You Think Is The Role Of Individuals And Society In Changing The State We Are In?
Individuals have an important role in changing the state we are in by changing the physical environment, which cover the earth’s surface (Werlen, 2015). The state that we are in has been attributed to human activities on the earth’s surface, which has resulted in negative effects currently experienced. Individuals and the society can help in creating a sustainable environment by developing alternatives to certain products and activities, which pose a danger to the earth (Werlen, 2015). This can be achieved if individuals acted responsibly in their activities, which include food production, energy production, and other human operations. Proper waste management and conservation strategies can also be implemented to protect the environment from any harm from the negative effects of these activities (Werlen, 2015).
Week 3 Questions
What Was The Most Striking Reading, Viewing, Podcast, Or Conversation You Have Had In Week 3? Explain Why
The most striking reading was the proposal by Pope Francis for religion to collaborate with science in trying to find a solution to climate change (Faiola, Boorstein, & Mooney, 2015). Religion and science have had different views in relation to certain aspects of the earth. For Pope Francis to invite scientists to religion to address the climate change is striking. This is not the role of the Pope where he is tasked with heading the Catholic Church (Faiola, Boorstein, & Mooney, 2015). For Pope to be seen planting a tree due to his concern for the climate change is quite surprising. This should send a signal to all individuals across the world on the big picture. If the world were responsible enough on creating a sustainable environment, the Pope would not be involved in the process. This indicates a failure on majority of individuals in their roles in conserving the environment (Faiola, Boorstein, & Mooney, 2015).
Given What Bob Inglis Told Us about Why He Was “Against Climate Change,” Can You Hypothesize Why Understanding Biogeochemical Cycles And Learning How To Listen And Converse Are Very Important Aspects Of Sustainability?
Understanding biogeochemical cycles and learning how to listen and converse are very important aspects of sustainability due to the impact this has in influencing the human behavior (Mancuso et al., 2015). Biogeochemical cycles involve the process of chemical fluxes in different regions of the earth, which have been affected by human activities. Alterations to these cycles have led to a negative outcome contributing to climate change. Understanding biogeochemical cycles will help individuals to reduce their activities, which result in these negative effects and prepare for any changes in the environment (Mancuso et al., 2015). Learning how to listen and converse is also a very important aspect of sustainability as this helps individuals in understanding different perspectives form other individuals. This also provides an environment to come up with solutions to conserve the environment, which are favorable to all individuals (Mancuso et al., 2015).
References
Brown, L. R. & Earth Policy Institute. (2009). Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to save civilization. New York: W.W. Norton.
Faiola, A., Boorstein, M., & Mooney, C. (2015, June 18). Release of encyclical reveals pope’s deep dive into climate science. The Washington post, democracy dies in darkness. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/how-pope-franciss-not-yet-official-document-on-climate-change-is-already-stirring-controversy/2015/06/17/ef4d46be-14fe-11e5-9518-f9e0a8959f32_story.html?noredirect=on;utm_term=.4057cb58639a
Mancuso, S., Viola, A., Pollan, M., ; Benham, J. (2015). Brilliant green: The surprising history and science of plant intelligence. Washington: Island Press.
Pope, L. (2016). Sustainability a call to action part 1: Individual scale. S.l.: Square root press Llc.
Werlen, B. (2015). Global sustainability: Cultural perspectives and challenges for transdisciplinary integrated research. Cham: Springer.
