Blog 4: Activity and In class Questions

Activity:
Ted Talk by Sylvia Earle, My Wish: Protect our Oceans
Some major take away points from her talk in my opinion were that, people will only care if they know, so we need to tell them; the ocean only has .8 of 1% of it protected, as well we have only explored a fraction of the ocean.  The lack of protection for the ocean and its inhabitants has put them in danger if action is not taken to restore what is being destroyed, and regulate the effects societies has. 


In class Questions:

What are your primary concerns about the oceans?

My concerns with the ocean are the health of small animals such as plankton, as well as the biomagnification of toxins in a food chain.  If animals such as plankton are found to contain toxins, the whole food chain is then at risk, as the toxins are going to move up the food chain. 

What if anything do you plan to do about it?

I personally avoid buying plastic beverage.  Plastics in the water releasing and storing toxins and as garbage has become such a large issue, by personally reducing my use of plastic I am helping to combat the introduction of plastic to water. 

Blog 4: Impact of Biodiversity loss on Ocean Ecosystem Services

Summary:
If the decline of biodiversity continues they way it currently is, by the mid 21st century it is predicted that all currently fished taxa will be collapsed.  This is problematic as the biodiversity found in oceans is crucial to its continued survival.  Biodiversity is a major buffer for species, the diversity allows a greater chance at survival from natural and human caused environmental factors, as well it supports the longevity of other species, as it is believed that species within a taxa are interrelated.  problems associated with the research that has been done is a lack of evidence that the relationships seen are causal, meaning the one action is truly causing another, instead of simply being correlated, as in they occur at the same time but are not the true cause.  The original paper said that in order for biodiversity to increase, society must make the economy directly related to biodiversity. 
Critical Thinking:
2. Why do collapsed fisheries recover better in high-diversity ecosystems?
They are able to better recover as the pressure on the species can be shared with other species within the same taxonomic group. 

Blog 4: Environmental Justice for all

Summary:
The topic of environmental justice was discussed in depth, focusing on the injustice on black communities.  These injustices included racial bias deciding where dumps should be placed, or chemical wastes dumped.  The enormous health effects on these communities sparked the creation of many environmental justice organizations and legislations as well as class action law suits with positive outcomes.

Critical Thinking:
3. How do people with money keep polluting industries out
of their neighborhoods? 
Those who have more money also have more influence on government normally, as they pay more in taxes and are often more prominent members of society with much more say then citizens with low income. 

Blog 4: our stolen future

Summary:
Endocrine systems and humans and animals are extraordinarily similar, therefore have given much insight into the potential future for humans under the effects of persistent organic pollutants. The research show transgenerational effects of chemicals in animals, which humans are likely to face as well.  These studies have been greatly criticized as many people believe them to either under or over play the effects due to the administered dosage levels in the experiments. Although a conference of specialists came to the conclusion that humans were indeed going to be effected by endocrine disrupters from p.o.p.'s

Critical Thinking:
2. What is an environmental hormone mimic (or disruptor)?
A hormone disrupter is a compound which is shaped the same or very similar to the hormone. Due to the similarity in shape, the disrupter blocks the actual hormone from doing its job. 

Blog 4: Living downstream: an Ecologist looks at Cancer and the Environment

Summary:
Many cancers considered genetic may actually have a stronger association with where a person lives and what carcinogens they have been exposed to in different stages of their life.  Cancers such as bladder cancer which have had much research done on them and are well understood are still not having the root issue dealt with in the majority of cases.  Even more alarming, the carcinogens that are understood individually and known to commonly interact with people have had little to no research of their synergistic effects completed.  the current focus of looking to heredity for the chance of getting cancer is ineffective and is focusing on the only area we can not currently change.

Critical Thinking:
2. What is wrong with the present system of regulating the use, release, and disposal of known and suspected carcinogens
The present system has many issue, one being an unequal burden of the risk and chance of being effected by a carcinogen.  As well the governments ability to turn a blind eye and often chose the action that is the least expensive, even if it is suspected to be harmful. 

Blog Number 4: Ecosystems and Human Well-being

Summary:
All humans have an intrinsic need of the Earth, but the damages caused such as, the degradation of resources and resource management systems, the strain on the worlds systems has dramatically increased in all aspects within the last 50 years, such as the conversion of over 90% of grass lands to agricultural use, or the depletion of fish stocks.
Another worry is that the damages being done although most are seemingly economically and nutritionally beneficial, they are leading to more drastic shifts in related systems, as well as the consequences of the damages being shifted to those who have less say, mainly those in poverty, as well as future generations. 
The next finding presented states the degradation of resources, will continue to increase exponentially if we continue the same practices.  In continuing these practices, society is setting it self up to never reach the environmental goals they are presented with.  Three scenarios for the future are discussed. 
The fourth finding brings to light the need to work towards reversing much of the damage done, while continuing to ensure food and water needs are met globally.  This is supported by the for mentioned future scenarios, but is flawed as the movements needed to create this change are not occurring. 
The major problem lies in the lack of knowledge both with decision makers and society, therefor a lack of action from both parties

Critical Thinking:
1) Why is it difficult to manage ecosystems sustainably?
The difficulty in managing ecosystems is mainly caused by humans constantly demanding more from the land as population increases, and a consumer society grows.  There is a struggle between trying to preserve the land on which humans rely on, while still consuming as much as we all wish to. 

Blog Number 3: Women's Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation

Summary:
The author believes women pay a much larger role in society, especially agriculture, than goes recognized.  Some of the reasons she believes this are that women's work is done in the "in-between" stages such as working with seeds after harvest to replant the next year, quality control of seeds before they are planted, as well as other jobs which are not normally considered.  Another issue is  large corporations claiming property rights of seeds, preventing women from recuperating them after they are grown, the inability to take responsibility for the seeds, which women were largely in charge of reduces the amount of power women have within the environment. 

Critical Thinking:
1. What is an “ecofeminist”?
Ecological feminists are able to recognize the connection between women and nature's roles in todays society which often dominates both.