The Eco Owl

As the semester ends, I have looked back at some of my blog posts, flipped through the books, and come to the following conclusion: Environmental Science is depressing. There's no way around it. Our world just gives and gives while all we do is take and take. Our society is spiraling down a hole that we may never be able to recover from. Its a bleak future ahead...if we do not take action. The goal of this subject is not to make our future seem hopeless. The goal of this subject is to enlighten minds - to make everyone aware of what is happening in their world so that they can change it before it is too late. And there are so many things to change it seems impossible to know where to begin! But, as this class dwindles down I have found that the issues that have resounded with me the most so far are the following:

Depletion of Non-Renewable Resources

And yes, I am talking specifically about oil. In my life, oil has always been a problem. Growing up, I would always here "What? Oil prices skyrocketing again? I remember, back in my day, it was 25 cents a gallon!" Or, you know, something like that.

(If you like, you can view a Crude Oil Price Report Here):

And then comes war. At first, it was for retaliation (or "patriotism"), but then somewhere along the lines it became known that we were killing all these people for...what? OIL? Is oil really this important? Is there really no other alternative to bloodshed?

Why is this such a big deal? Why do we have to depend on this? We use oil in almost every process, and we are running out. People are in a frenzy because all of those scientists that forewarned them of this were actually right. All of it will be gone one day because we took more than the earth could give. And now we're paying for it. But there are plenty of other options! People just need to open their eyes. If you were given the chance, wouldn't you rather pay for another opportunity than die for a pipe dream?

Here are just a couple links to some articles that further stress the dependence we have on oil, and the importance of alternative fuels. Sure, each set comes with its challenges, but at this point ANYTHING is better than the oil we have now.

MSNBC: "Aren't There Alternatives to Oil?"
Oil Crisis: The Coming Global Oil Crisis

One of the COOLEST things I remember seeing this semester was algae oil. This is a biodiesel made from algae! How awesome is that? If you are interested, I am sure this website Oilgae, can inform you better than I ever could!

So, after you visit that site you'll be pretty jazzed and excited (I hope), so now that you are in good spirits, let us move on to the next depressing topic:

Global Climate Change


Ah, yes. The big GCC. Can you believe that many people still think it is a myth? I don't know about you, but I live in Southern California, and one of the many reasons why I hate this place is because it is H.O.T. So, when I first heard about Global Climate Change (in elementary/middle school), I could see how it could be true. When I moved to Riverside, I fully understood. Our weather is getting pretty weird, if you ask me. SUPER hot one day, raining the next day? And then rain and sun at the same time? I thought that was a Hawaii thing, not a Sunny CA thing. But what do I know, right?

Don't believe me? These sites ought to prove the myth wrong, then:
EDF.ORG: The Environmental Defense Fund
NY TIMES: Global Warming
EPA.GOV: Environmental Protection Agency
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: Fast Facts on Global Warming

Ending thoughts:

Waste Management


This was our latest topic in class, and one that I had to debate on. So what's my view on it? Well, I believe recycling IS GOOD ONLY IF IT IS DONE PROPERLY. Otherwise, its kind of a waste. You have to educate yourself on it, and a lot of people are not willing to take that extra step. Now, what do I think about the entire waste management process? Well, it needs a shit load of work. We waste SO MUCH. Its really quite revolting, but no one really sees it. Its not like there's a wall of all the shit we use up in a heap in the middle of New York City. Its hidden, and because of that, people do not understand - do not care to understand - and just continue on in their daily lives. Its a SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM.


Another thing people should be afraid of is...

Environmental Hazards & Human Health


This was the issue that hit me the hardest. I already have an ailing father on a strict diet, who goes three times a week to essentially get his blood cleaned out and "recycled." Every time he leaves to go I would think, "Well, they will clean out all the bad things and bring him back to me," but then I find out about all these hazards...

DDTs
BPAs
PCBs

AND SO MUCH MORE! There are toxins EVERYWHERE! It is so impossible to escape them. They are on plastic bags, baby toys, phones, televisions, EVERYTHING! How is my dad supposed to escape these? How is he supposed to get better when he is exposed to these things DAILY? How is ANYONE supposed to be better? We cannot be expected to live long, disease free lives. We are loosing our strength and our resistance sooner rather than later. It is causing diseases not within our own bodies, but our children and our children's children! And what is the government doing to help? Nothing. Which brings me to my main point.

What Can WE Do About It?


We can build an army of advocates for better, healthier, more sustainable lives. We can ELECT someone into government who is actually, truly, and deeply concerned about these types of matters. Sure, politicians are all sleazy so it may be difficult to find someone, but that does not mean that person does not exist. It just means we have to look harder, educate more, and inspire as much as we can! We need points to come across, eyes to open and minds to work! But I'm not going to lie. Its going to take some time. That's why its important to start with the individual.

What Can YOU/ME Do About It?


This is where the individual comes in. This is where you can help by doing simple things like:

Spreading the Word. TELL people about the things you learn! Do not keep it to yourself. Educating does not end with you. If you hear about something that is harming you or your environment, let others know so change can come.



Reduce. Reduce your need to purchase, purchase, purchase. Do not get carried away. Just buy what you need, and do that wisely. Think ahead.

Recycle. Look into how to recycle properly, and implement the practice. In your home, at your work, at your school, everywhere you go. Recycling helps.

Create. Scarves, hats, socks... these things can all be made. You don't need to go out and buy a whole lot of them. Create them. Make them yourself. And, on top of that, be creative. Reuse things in different ways - use your imagination. There's always something you can make out of "trash."


Stay Away From Plastic! I know its everywhere at the store, but if you don't try your best to avoid it, it ends up everywhere in our oceans - killing relentlessly. Do your part, and save a sea turtle while you are at it. Have reusable bags or, if you have to, use paper bags.

Make Your Own Food! Stop going to fast food places. It makes you lose your connection to the food you are eaten. It depreciates it. Make your own food, and you will appreciate it more. The taste, the smell, everything! And grow your own food while you are at it. Start small. Buy herbs you can grow in your kitchen, then tomatoes, cucumbers, whatever your heart desires!

Lessen Your Meat Consumption. Yes, I know they say being a vegetarian is the ideal goal, but  not everyone can do it. It was extremely difficult for myself to accomplish, and it took viewing something completely devastating for me to change, so trust me when I say I know its difficult. And I am NOT the kind of person to push this on others. I'm just saying, eat less meat. And, if you could, grow your own chickens! Or pigs. But pigs are not as healthy. (Super cute, though).

Unplug. I promise you that if you are not already conscientious of this, there is at least one thing in your room or in your house that is plugged in but not even being used. So go unplug it. It really does help. And why do you need it plugged in anyway? Its not doing anything.

Think! Be aware of what you are purchasing, where it comes from, and what goes into it. Know what you do and what you give to your environment - the positive and the negative. Appreciate all the work that goes into the things you have, and value it. Life is not disposable. Why should anything else be?

GIVE TO YOUR COMMUNITY! This is one of the most important things. You can educate and strengthen your community. This change is not going to take place on just an individual level. Its is going to be a communal level and one day, global level.

There Is A Lot More to Do


...but I can't sit here and dictate it all to you. The most interesting aspect about this subject is that it applies to YOU. Its all about what we can do as a people, and what you can do as an individual. So be active, be responsible. Know what you are doing and how you can make a difference.

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