Earth Charter Reflection

I. RESPECT AND CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY OF LIFE

The insight and thoughtfulness that went into the creation of the first part, and all other parts, of the Earth Charter Reflection was immediately evident. The first line alone, "Recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings" is a perfectly written narrative of how humanity should live on a planet with other living beings. We should not view ourselves as the only life forms that matter; other life forms only as valuable as they are valuable to us. I also greatly admire the idea behind living in just and democratic societies whose aims are to provide human rights and fundamental freedoms to all as well as the ability for all to reach their individual potential. 

Photo provided by Pasu Au Yeung on Flickr Oct. 18, 2014

II. ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY

The insight and thoughtfulness continues to the second part of the charter with lines such as, "Adopt at all levels sustainable development plans and regulations that make environmental conservation and rehabilitation integral to all development initiatives". Sustainable living should be our top priority moving forward by managing "the use of renewable resources such as water, soil, forest products, and marine life in ways that do not exceed rates of regeneration and that protect the health of ecosystems". If our planet is going to heal and maintain health and prosperity humanity must change its behavior and live a more sustainable existence. The line that states we must, "Promote the development, adoption, and equitable transfer of environmentally sound technologies" is genius and extremely appropriate for the times in which we live. All nations, regardless financial abilities, must have the proper equipment to live with sustainability in mind. A sound argument for not fully embracing environmental conservation and sustainability is that it only applies to the technologically advances nations that can fund such projects. The nations that can afford sustainability and environmental protection must help other nation financially to work towards the same environmental goals.  

 III. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE

The third part to the charter focuses more heavily on human progress and global equality. Human progress and equality has largely only been granted for those in middle to upper class tax brackets living in developed nations; the Earth Charter demands human progress and equality for everyone across the board. "Recognize the ignored, protect the vulnerable, serve those who suffer, and enable them to develop their capacities and to pursue their aspirations," are just actions all should strive towards to ensure global health and peace. If we are to work towards a better world it must include all peoples, not just those who can afford it.

Photo provided by Dan H. on Flickr Jan. 31, 2011

IV. DEMOCRACY, NONVIOLENCE, AND PEACE

Being a potential teacher of history and civics this section resonated most with me. To improve the planet, both sociologically and physically, we must begin by forming a foundation. A foundation that emphasizes democratic values such as free information, active, civil societies, creative arts, and equality. Only after establishing global democracy in a peaceful and  accepted manner can we turn our attention to reversing and maintaining a physically healthy planet.

 

Climate Change

Slow Burn: I thought this concept, applied to how human beings regard environmental catastrophe, was brilliant. We, as a people, only view environmental catastrophe, or any threat to mankind for that matter, as an emergency only if it threatens us in the now, in the immediate present. If the catastrophe is something that will impact us down the road, great, then we can put the end of man on the back burner. This is evident with environmental catastrophe, potential terrorist and domestic attacks, and disease. The glaciers are melting but because we are not directly exposed to the consequences too severely why not let it slow burn into compete environmental devastation instead of acting steadfast now. Terrorist attacks will continue until we remove ourselves from reliance on foreign oil, Middle East conflicts, and complete Israeli support. But who cares? At least until another 9/11 occurs. Disease is not controlled with preventive measures, at it should be, but rather as treatment once the disease is contracted. We, as human beings, prefer our fight or flight response to disaster, let it happen and when it does then we act, as opposed to a more rational approach, do something to remedy the situation before it becomes a disaster.

Photo provided by E. Erickson on Flickr June 19th, 2013

Small creature looking at old Friend: I loved the story of a nature photographer traveling the world looking for one of the most smallest, elusive creatures in the world. The story was full of amusing anecdotes and insight as well as an interesting epiphany. I particularly found the photographer's epiphany fascinating although I may have interpreted it a little different. The photographer mentioned as he finally found the elusive creature and looked at it, as it looked at him, for the first time he saw the story of primitive man living with primitive creature replaying in his mind. I believe rather that the creature was looking at modern man, completely separate from his natural, more primitive self. I like to think this small creature was looking at the photographer not as man at all but rather as a symbol of betrayal.  200,000 years ago man was a part of nature, living with nature as all other animals do today. Now man has turned into something completely different. Something against nature that has lost its way. The small creature knew what man has become and feared him like never before. Man has become stronger than nature able to destroy it effortlessly unlike any animal ever known. The small, elusive animal soon scattered after seeing new man, terrified of what has become of a once natural species and what the future holds after such an unnatural transformation.

Photo provided by Jack B. on Flickr May 19, 2012

A Land Remembered

Tobias MacIvey is the book's, A Land Remembered, first generation main character who led his family, wife Emma and son Zech, from the woods of Georgia to the swamps of Florida. Tobias MacIvey was the embodiment of  hard work, integrity, and honesty and it was these qualities that helped guide his family from struggling off the land to thriving from it. He gave everything he had whether hunting for food, herding cattle, gaining and maintaining business partners, or planting orange groves. He raised a family who had nothing to a strong, unbreakable family who could have had anything. All they wanted though, was each other.

Photo provided by Daniel Orth on Flickr May 7th, 2006

 Tobias MacIvey deeply respected the land and new his families existence relied on it. He needed food to feed his family, livestock to sell, fruit to harvest, land to live off. Tobias viewed nature as something for all, that provides for all, as long as you're willing to work for it. He did not believe in ownership or taking more than you need. Tobias was a humble and respectful man towards man and nature. If only we all acted as Tobias MacIvey did, towards man and nature, we would all be better off.

Photo provided by Alex Prolmos on Flickr Nov. 22nd, 2010

 Tobias experienced a strong sense of place everywhere the cattle roamed. He felt a strong sense of place at the coral, among his orange groves, and even a the Indian Seminole site. Any time Tobias was outdoors he felt he was in his element; among others who were living off the land Tobias was there in total awareness with oneself. A place more important than any other was, perhaps, Punta Rassa. A place where Tobias traded his hard work for Spanish gold coins; where he and his family were given financial stability and an end to the stresses and insecurities of early 20th century life.

Photo provided by d b on Flickr May 31, 2013

I think I most relate to Tobias MacIvey, at least I like to think I do. I value my own strong work ethic, my integrity and honesty, and my love and devotion to my family. I love to think about a time when untamed land was not owned by anyone, that people could work what they could from it and take what they needed. He was honest in his business dealings and made a great living off treating others with respect, never thinking about cheating anyone. To add to everything Tobias, and myself, have a place in our hearts for those who are disenfranchised, for those who are treated unfairly and in need of a little help.

Photo provided by Ashley Van Haeften Feb. 20th, 2015

Plan B 4.0 - Preface and Chapter 1

"In recognizing the enormity of the challenge facing us: First we need to decide what needs to be done. Then we do it. And then we ask if it is possible." I love this quote by Paul Hawken in a commencement speech in 2009 (Brown 2009, p.XIV). It is exactly the method needed to be implemented to fight back against those responsible for climate change and the catastrophic damages that need to cease and reverse. Far too often we are trying to develop the perfect plan that we know will work in stopping and reversing climate change which wastes so much precious time and only leads to more disagreements and no action. We need to understand what needs to be done, do anything and everything that could help heal our planet, and then see which one actually works. We need to throw as many ideas as possible on to a wall and see which one sticks, instead of meticulously, cautiously, and sheepishly trying to find that golden answer to a question that may a involve a more trial and error approach. We have already wasted far too much time thinking about how we can save the environment instead of acting on it. Things need to be done now and the time of thinking, guessing, and second guessing needs to stop. We need action.

Photo provided by Florida Memory on Flickr April, 4th 1985

 "If we cannot get the brakes on population growth, we may not be able to eradicate hunger" (Brown 2009, p.4). Although I agree with this statement it does not go into enough detail in where the populations are growing: third world countries. For the part, all other countries are experiencing stagnant population growth or an actual decline. It is in countries where resources are scare and poverty prevalent where populations are increasing. To eradicate hunger there must be international programs set into place that educates cultures not accustomed to sex education and safe sex so that populations can begin to decline there but also set up fair food programs that benefit the people of these third world countries, not business interests and the International Monetary Fund. If fair and ethical non-profit international organization had the power and resources to make change in the hunger problem facing far too many people there would be vast changes within a year. Unfortunately, there are also too many people who have far too much power in deciding the fate of the poor and those effected by poverty. If we cannot pump the brakes on corrupt politics and greedy business interests, we may not be able to eradicate hunger.

Photo provided by World Bank Photo on Flickr April 13th 2015

"The Chinese firm ZTE International has secured rights to 2.8 million hectares (6.9 million acres) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on which to produce palm oil, which can be used either for cooking or to produce biodiesel fuel—indicating that the competition between food and fuel is also showing up in land acquisitions" (Brown 2009, p.11). Although I find this land acquisition disgusting, I do not know any other options for countries whom have incredibly large populations, the money to expand and buy resources, but are too late into the game to have large oil contracts like Europe and the U.S. in the Middle East. What is China suppose to do? Africa has been cruelly exploited since the Age of Discovery, when countries in Europe amassed unimaginable wealth and resources form brutalizing Africa. Now China is doing it and all of a sudden they are the problem. Not the UN for never stepping up to help Africa become a more stable region nor international organizations to help aid Africa or media news outlets to get the message out about how much help Africa truly needs. Its a shame, but without aid and support countries with like China will do what they think is necessary to help their nation survive atleast, thrive at most.

Photo provided by Dept. of Communities and local Government on Dec. 1st 2010

Brown, L. R., Brown, L. R., & Earth Policy Institute. (2009). Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to save   civilization. New York: W.W. Norton.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas' "The Everglades: River of Grass"

   When I read the line, "Only one force can conqueror it (the Everglades) completely and that is fire" (Douglas 1988, p. 13), my heart sank. A great sadness flooded over me as I knew how wrong and naive this statement was. The mid to late 1940s must have been a time of great hope and respect for untouched nature and its awes-inspiring force. But now those feelings towards nature are gone as even a child knows the destruction man will bring to land ripe for the slaughter. Fire will destroy a land to the very soil, but eventually that land will grow back. When man destroys land and builds atop it's devastation nothing will grow back but perhaps weeds through the cracks of the pavement.

Photo provided by The U.S. National Archives on Flickr circa 1975

   My spirits were lifted after reading about the Caloosahatchee river. I must see this river daily and have always felt as if this river is just as much apart of Lee County as any courthouse, strip mall, sports team, or summer home. I have known the Caloosahatchee for over 30 years and cannot count on my hands and feet the number of times I have swam in its warm water, created life long memories with my friends driving a small boat through the waves or jumping from boat docks into the brackish water.

Photo provided by Florida Memory on Flickr circa 1955

   I was then brought to a place of hopelessness and insecurity when hurricanes were mentioned. Not much on Earth can bring man to feel small and inconsequential other than natural disasters. Man can conquer and destroy more than fire, but nothing can bring solitary man to his knees faster than the violent forces of nature. Hurricanes were once a way of life for people who lived in Florida during the summer months. Weeks could not go by without at least one hurricane watch in the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricanes would either dissipate and never make land, downgrade to a smaller storm, or hit Florida with heavy wind, rain, and lightning often cutting power, flooding the streets, and cause massive structural damage. Regardless of the outcome each summer there would be the same feeling of hopelessness and insecurity from when the next hurricane may hit.

Photo provided by Kakela on Flickr April 17th, 2005

Douglas, M. S. (1988). The Everglades: River of grass. Sarasota, FL: Pineapple Press.

Rachel Carson's: "A Fable For Tomorrow" and "The Obligation To Endure"

   In Rachel Carson's article, "A Fable for Tomorrow", the author imagines "...a town in the heart of America where all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings." It is the very picture of natural perfection. All species of life blossomed in an orchestra of peace and beauty that was only made possible by human awareness of ethical environmentalism. People traveled from miles away just to absorb and participate in the ecological paradise that was as pure as when man first settled the region. I too dream of places like this. Clean, crisp fall evenings gripping to the last vestiges of a soft, setting sun shining through the red and orange autumn leaves. But they are only dreams, for most of us, who are surrounded by pavement, machinery, and a blinding sun only to be interrupted by marginally less-blinding light pollution. Rachel Carson's dream, much like mine, is beautiful but, for the most part unattainable, in this life time anyway. Maybe we could go back to before the land was settled to enjoy the harmonious and stunning landscapes or, more realistically, just wait until we pollute our selves to death and the Earth starts with a clean slate, minus ourselves.

Photo provided by Budbrain on Flickr January 5th, 2013

 

 

   In Rachel Carson's article, "The Obligation to Endure", the author paints a very grim outlook on the devastation man has caused to nature by stating, "...pollution is for the most part irrecoverable." I would disagree with this, for the most part. Sure, some harm to the planet brought on by pollution is permanent. However, this does not imply, like the article states, that we should throw in the towel and accept our fate. We can save the planet from environmental catastrophe. We will have to change completely: our mindset, consumption habits, and waste practices, but it can be done. We do not have to simply endure our inevitable demise. Technologies are being developed that can remove pollutants from the soil and water. Better grazing techniques are being used right now to halt and prevent soil erosion along with new and safe supplements to give to cattle to eliminate the release of methane gas. Work is being done at rates never seen before to reverse the harm man has done to the planet. Things can change; and slowly they are.

Photo provided by Image Catalog on Flickr Sept. 21st, 2014

   In Rachel Carson's article, "The Obligation to Endure", the author references, "...the possibility of the extinction of mankind by nuclear war." This is an interesting alarm that has not been raised for sometime now. Granted the article is a bit dated, but I believe the point can be made that, along with the idea that nuclear winter is a real possibility, perhaps mankind is not destined to environmental annihilation. Maybe, mankind can make adjustments, like they have concerning nuclear weapons and their once dire forebodings. Maybe mankind will adapt and persist through creative innovation and collective growth, maybe mankind will not, but to see how far we have come gives me hope. Maybe our obligation to endure will become our responsibility to thrive.

Photo provided by Christophe on Flickr June 5th, 2006

Aldo Leopoldś ¨The Land Ethic¨

   ¨A land ethic changes the role of the Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to plain member and citizen of it (Leopold, 1966 p. 866).¨ I adamantly agree with this statement. To change the downward trajectory of the worldś environment we need to change the mentality of the worldś citizens. We cannot believe the resources of this planet are ours for the taking regardless of the catastrophic effects it has on our environment. Personal greed must not come before the welfare of the planet but rather a respect for the land and a respect for our responsibilities as an environmentally conscious community. Our loyalties and affections must change from fossil fuels, needless waste, factory farming, deforestation, and cheap material products to clean renewable resources, recycling waste, organic farming, conservation, and well crafted, durable products. Its not going to be easy but that does not mean it cannot be done.

Photo provided by Internet Archive Books Images oh Flickr circa 1883

   ¨land-use ethics are still governed wholly by economic self-interest (Leopold, 1966 p. 869).¨ I would agree with this to a point only if it would be agreeable that corporate entities have ethics, particularly to the environment. Gain wealth forgetting all but self is a dominant mantra in the business community. This mantra does not invoke sentiments of ethics- land or human as there are no ethics in business only self-interest. For economic interests to take a back seat to the right of a healthy environment regulations would have to be enforced. The mentality of business, by definition, does not include the welfare of others that could be detrimental to business. There is nothing ethical about that.

Photo provided by Fulvio Barnacchia on Flickr June 5th, 2008

 

¨Perhaps the most serious obstacle impeding the evolution of a land ethic is the fact that our educational and economic system is headed away from, rather than toward, an intense consciousness of land (Leopold, 1966 p. 873)." I believe this is not so true today but it may have been true in 1949, when it was first written. I do not know how the environment was looked upon at this time collectively or how environmentally conscious educators or business people were at this time. It would be interesting to know the exact difference between the mentality of the many then and the mentality of the many today, I will, however, state it will be from the education and scientific community present and future that will improve the health of the environment. That will change our loyalties and affections and change humanity into a land ethical people.

YouTube clip provided by Arizona Game and Fish May 24th, 2012

Leopold, A., Schwartz, C. W., & Leopold, A. (1966). A Sand County almanac: With Other Essays on Conservation from Round River. New York: Oxford University Press.