Blog # 4, Enviro 2000.

Section 10: Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Millennium Assessment 2005
1) Summary 2) In what ways does damage to the ecosystem affect human wellbeing?

1) All living organisms on Earth are completely dependent on their ecosystems and the services they provide to survive. The anthropogenic exploitation of commonly held resources within the last 50 years has caused a dramatic loss of global biodiversity throughout marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Homogenous species cultivation is threatening the biodiversity of plants and animals alike, causing species to become highly susceptible to resistant pathogens, which also increases their risk of developing a disease. Significant changes in governance, economic policies, institutions, social and behavioral practices are essential in order to create proper ecosystem management strategies that benefit the wellbeing of humans, species biodiversity as well as the environment for future generations.

2) As the human population continues to increase so does the demand for food and clean drinking water. Anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, aquaculture and deforestation are contributing to the global loss of biodiversity while increasing the greenhouse gas emissions accumulating in the atmosphere. Global climate change is increasing the frequency of sever droughts that cause soil degradation, compromise crop yields and ultimately leads to hunger and malnutrition. Water contamination is the main cause of child mortality and disease among vulnerable regions including sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Government leaders that have chosen to ignore environmental protection policies are also responsible for exploiting marginalized communities. These international resource wars are a struggle to control food and water, causing stress and suffering on an ecological scale that is affecting every living organism on the Earth.

Section 28: Living Downstream: An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment: Sandra Steingraber 1) Summary 2) What is wrong with the present system of regulating the use, release, and disposal of known and suspected carcinogens?

1) After being diagnosed with bladder cancer in 1983, Sandra Steingraber began collecting scientific documentation about genetic mutations occurring within the human body. Over the next 13 years, Steingraber’s research revealed that 85% of colon cancers were sporadic and lacking genetic inheritance. This knowledge caused Steingraber to shift her focus towards external factors such as carcinogens persisting within the environment. Manufacturing plants are responsible for releasing extremely toxic chemicals into the environment, which are threatening global ecosystem integrity as well as human health. Individuals have the right to know which chemicals are being introduced into their communities and what the long-term consequences will entail. We must regulate alternative, eco-friendly solutions within private sectors through corporate policies that protect the health of our global ecosystem, because the survival of our species depends on it.

2) The present carcinogen regulation system does not actively engage individuals whose health may be at risk due to proximity and or product consumption. Accurate labeling on food and clothing is lacking information about toxic chemicals that are being used during production. Environmental assessment reports are not released to the public, silencing the severity of these persistent organic pollutants contaminating freshwater, topsoil as well as atmospheric gasses without the consent of our communities. An evaluation of all known carcinogens including their sources, chemical reactions (with living organisms and molecules) and the routes of exposure need to be applied by Human Rights Authorities to legally force corporations to find eco-friendly alternatives of production. Corporations that fail to meet these environmental health standards must endure tax-based repercussions enforced by the government to ensure change is underway.

Section 29: Our Stolen Future: Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski, and John Peterson Myers
1) Summary 2) What is an environmental hormone mimic (or disrupter)?

1) In the late 1980’s Colborn began linking the effects of pollution with physiological problems affecting different groups of animals. Isolated studies about unusual sexual behavior, abnormal reproductive development, and neurological impairment were documented throughout the Great Lakes region, Florida, Northern Europe and the West Coast of the United States. Shortly after, a hypothesis was developed suggesting that these wildlife problems were manifestations of abnormal estrogenic activity[i]. Because animals and humans alike share the same evolutionary legacy as well as the same global ecosystem the conclusion seemed inescapable: the hormone disruptors that are threatening the survival of animals are also jeopardizing the human future[ii]. 

2) By the late 1980’s, fifty environmental hormone mimics were identified as synthetic chemical compounds that disrupt normal hormone functions such as the sexual development, fertility and ultimately species survival. Long-term accumulation of persistent chemical disruptors within human body tissues and fats increases susceptibility of the endocrine system. These toxic chemicals that are accumulating within the environment are a major threat to the loss of species diversity of humans and animals alike. 

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[i] Environmental Studies, Classic Edition. Sources: Section 29: Our Stolen Future: Colborn, Dumanoski& Myers (Dutton, 1996) pg. 140

[ii] Environmental Studies, Classic Edition. Sources: Section 29: Our Stolen Future: Colborn, Dumanoski& Myers (Dutton, 1996) pg. 142

Section 31: Environmental Justice for All: Robert D. Bullard 

1) Summary 2) What is “environmental justice”?

1) The environmental justice movement first began during the 1980’s when protesters began demonstrating opposition towards the disposal of PCB (poly-chlorinated biphenyls) in Warren Country, North Carolina. Consciously dumping highly volatile PCB toxins into First Nations and African American communities became known as an act of environmental racism. During the 1990’s, several grassroots organizations, government officials, researchers, academics, students and policy analysts started actively protesting environmental discrimination on a human rights level. Continuing to raise global awareness about toxicity in vulnerable communities will challenge companies like Shell and Monsanto to reassess their “business as usual” behavior in light of this homicide against humanity.

2) Environmental justice is the human right that protects the health and safety of all individuals. This includes access to, and protection of, an ecologically safe environment regardless of race, sex, or cultural beliefs. Individuals who have become physically subjected to toxic chemical abuse or illness due to geographical proximity to an industrial manufacturing plant should be provided with the opportunity to relocate at the company’s expense. All individuals should be given the correct information about health risks and environmental concerns associated with manufacturing companies in their communities as well as a vote about weather or not these facilities should be allowed to operate in these locations in the first place. 

Section 17: Impacts of Biodiversity Loss on Ocean Ecosystem Services: Boris Worm et al.
1) Summary 2) Why do collapsed fisheries recover better in high-density ecosystems?

1) Loss of marine biodiversity threatens the stability of ecosystems as well as the ability for living organisms to successfully adapt to external influences such as climate. Anthropogenic activities including fishing, habitat destruction, pollution, resource exploitation and climate change are contributing to the loss of individual species, small populations, and entire functional groups within regional marine ecosystems. Increased occurrences of harmful algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and declining water quality are caused by the loss of wetlands and seagrass beds that naturally provide filtering services. Long-term economic and ecological goals need to be set that provide species with enough time to recover after a harvest, while ensuring that marine ecosystems are protected from pollution, habitat destruction, resource exploitation as well as climate change.

2) Species that are closely related by taxa play complimentary and functional roles within marine ecosystems that support the productivity of fisheries by allowing targeted species to recover. This richness of species allows fishers to switch prey more easily without negatively impacting the biodiversity of marine ecosystems while successfully achieving their total catch amount for the year. Increased economic productivity and ecological stability encourages a diverse range of marine species to reproduce and fulfill a larger variety of ecological functions. 

Activity: Alex Steffen: The Route to a Sustainable Future 1) Summary& Reflection

1) In order to change the impact of our ecological footprint, humans need to concentrate on energy sharing systems and Eco-friendly alternatives to waste management and resource consumption. Bright green cities are an example of utopian grassroots models that reflect community sensibility, ecological wellbeing and high economic productivity. Leap Frogging towards contemporary technologies allows for different community based solutions that do not focus on capitalistic models. Global collaboration will become the foundation for crafting these new political infrastructures. Upwards of 200 million people are predicted to find themselves in refugee situations due to climate change and government instability by 2020. Concentrating on global collaboration projects such as green energy; grassroots solutions; and barefoot solar engineers will ripple out into smaller communities and cause positive off-grid change that just might save the planet. 

Blog Reflections
1) Reflect on your interactions with the economy. How do you currently or plan to in the future, contribute to a more environmentally sustainable economy? Are there local, sustainable businesses you support? Have you considered your financial investments and their ethics?

Local, organic, fair-trade eco-friendly food products are a top priority for my partner and I who recently chose to pursue a vegetarian diet as of 2011. Mondragon, Organic Planet, Tall Grass Prairie Bakery, The Human Bean, Boon Burger, Vita Health, Organza, Thrive, The Neighborhood Cafe and The Nook are among the top 10 local, organic, fair-trade eco-friendly restaurants that my circle of friends and I financially support. Wild Planet, Urban Waves, The Hempyrean, Fenton’s (local wine shop), Soul Survivors (tattoo& piercing shop) and Music Traders are our favorite local entertainment shops that we support in Winnipeg. I am extremely passionate about supporting the local eco-friendly economy in Winnipeg and these venues are worthy of recognition for their outstanding commitment to influencing positive change within the Winnipeg community. 

2) What are your primary concerns about oceans? What if anything, do you plan to do about it?

As a vegetarian my main concern about our global oceans is the loss of species biodiversity caused by an increased introduction of endocrine disrupters such as estrogen. I recently made the conscious decision to have a semi-permanent inter-uterine system (IUS) inserted into my uterus. This internal hormone regulator releases low doses of levonorgestrel instead of estrogen. I have intentionally reduced my estrogen output into our water systems by using this alternative birth control system. I also use biodegradable soap, shampoo, conditioner, detergent, and cleaning supplies that have no negative ecological impacts on marine and freshwater ecosystems based on their natural-organic biological content.