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.

Blog # 3, Enviro 2000.

Section 25: Could Food Shortages Bring Down Civilization? Lester R. Brown

1. Summary 2. According to Lester Brown, demand for food is growing faster than the supply. 

What are the effects of this trend likely to be? How can we prevent the worst effects?    

1) The absence of government control in developing nations is creating failed states that lack personal security, basic education, reliable health care and food security. These globally marginalized communities are highly vulnerable to the negative impacts of global warming, fresh water shortages, and loss of topsoil. As the global population continues to rise, the demand for finite resources will also increase. Long-term sustainability goals need to be achieved in order to protect the ecological integrity of the planet’s finite ecosystems. Eradicating poverty, restoring forests, soils and aquifers are long-term humanitarian goals- politically correct and morally appropriate. The projected cost to save civilization will be less than $200 billion, which is one sixth of current global military spending. Immediate government action must be taken to reduce 80% of global carbon emissions by implementing carbon taxes before 2020 to slow the impacts of (human induced) climate change. By stabilizing the global population at 8 billion individuals by 2040, international leaders will be able to moderate the long-term impact of global resource management.

2) By stabilizing the human population, rationing the global fresh water supply and removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere all nations can achieve sustainable development without compromising finite resources for present and future generations. Elected officials should focus on stabilizing the global population by increasing sexual education programs, access to reproductive health care facilities, family planning services and preventative birth control methods. Leaders of the twenty-first century should also make it a top priority to reduce 80% of carbon emissions by 2020 to prevent irreversible ecological damage caused by global warming. Planting billions of tree’s that naturally perform cellular respiration by removing CO2 from the atmosphere can also offset accumulation of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Transforming our reliance on fossil fuels to solar, wind and hydro power will be the first step towards achieving sustainable resource management. 

Section 37: Women’s Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation: Vandana Shiva 
1. Summary 2. In what sense according to Vandana Shiva, is Third World- women’s work in agriculture “invisible”?

1) By maintaining a balance between survival and sustainable agricultural practices, twenty-first century indigenous women are continuing to perform spiritual rituals that celebrate the renewal of life and the propagation of biodiversity. These highly intelligent women are maintaining their traditional ecological knowledge about seed preparation, germination, and soil maintenance in order to conserve species richness and biodiversity for future generations. The destruction of biodiversity in exchange for industrial monocultures is a capitalist endeavor wrongfully claiming the royalties that belong to indigenous Third World communities. Agricultural biodiversity is threatened by biotechnology, which encourages uniformity of species through genetic cloning, decreasing natural reproductive variation and ultimately weakening the species immune system. To compensate for these enzymatic deficiencies, scientists spray their genetically modified organisms with pesticides that encourage insects to increase resilience and successfully pursue these susceptible monocultures.  Laden with toxic chemicals, these genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are detrimental to human health, environmental integrity and ecological wellbeing. 

2) Deeply rooted agricultural knowledge belonging to Third World indigenous women reflects their spiritual connection to the earth. This ecological understanding of balance and sustainability does not fall into an economically viable “production boundary” rendering these highly efficient indigenous cultures of women to be corporately invisible. The generational wisdom of seed preparation and maintenance is not taken into commercial consideration and therefore completely undermines the very fabric of Third World indigenous agricultural intelligence. Neither credit nor compensation is given to the people who suffer from the long-term consequences of corporate piracy and this needs to change. We must reach out and globally acknowledge these indigenous women as strong, wise mothers of the earth by boycotting corporations that take advantage of marginalized communities. We can start this movement today by practicing sustainable methods of organic agriculture right here, in our own back yards. 

Section 9: Human Domination of Earth’s Ecosystems: Peter M. Vitousek, Harold A. Mooney, and Jerry M. Melillo 
1. Summary 2. Would it help to reduce the human impact on the Earth if we could reduce the human population?

1) Urbanization and land transformation have lead to industrial agriculture, clear cutting and deforestation throughout terrestrial ecosystems. The accumulation of greenhouse gasses within the atmosphere such as methane and nitrous oxide are contributing to global climate change as a result of fossil fuel combustion, fertilizer production and pesticide runoff. Insecticides such as DDT as well as synthetic organic chemicals including chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) are persisting within the stratosphere and causing ozone layer depletion. By inadvertently altering the nitrogen cycle, humans have increased the frequency of photochemical smog and acid rain throughout the atmosphere. Flowing directly into our globally finite fresh water supply are highly toxic metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury released during mining and mobilization of phosphorus. Rapid extinction rates of marine species are an indication that toxic contaminants are persisting throughout coastal ecosystems. Invasive species also challenge the survival rate of native species by out-competing them for shared resources. Humans must take responsibility for our carbon footprints by applying an economic cost to the ecological damage we have induced to ensure that sustainable development will persevere for future generations. 

2) The global population of human beings is 7 billion and climbing while the earth’s finite resources such as fresh water and oil are steadily declining. Competition for limited resources is an international issue displaced by corporate endeavors that casually exploit developing nations. This megalomaniac behavior is an inexcusable crime. Finding a balance between resource management and growing populations will be a difficult challenge for humans. Educating women and men about preventative birth control methods such as vasectomies, intrauterine devices and abortions should be an international priority for individuals that find themselves in questionable living situations. A global decline in population will not completely alleviate the anthropogenic stress put onto the earth due to persisting chemicals, long-term consequences of ozone layer depletion, droughts, soil erosion, water contamination and intense storms but it’s survival is our only option, we cannot give up!

Activity: Ted Talk Video: Cary Fowler

One seed at a time, protecting the future of food. Summary.

Crop diversity is a genetic resource that stands between human survival and catastrophic starvation on a global scale. Biodiversity is the foundation of evolution and it is currently crumbling into global species extinction. Apple diversity for example, has decreased by 90% within the last 100 years due to industrial agriculture, pesticide use and genetic modification. Individual taste preferences have selectively chosen for apples that are more satisfying than those with less appealing qualities. In the grand scale of evolution, maintaining biodiversity is essential for building strong immune systems with resilience to pests and environmental variation. Global warming is a new trend that will affect agriculture consistency as early as 2030 by increasing the temperature of cold growing seasons. In Southern Africa for example, individuals will likely experience a 30% reduction of maize production due to climbing temperatures, ultimately causing food shortages throughout vulnerable communities. Owned by the Norwegian government, the Svalbard Seed bank is in place to ensure that conservation of biological diversity is maintained in a remote location, independent of mechanical refrigeration. Currently 425,000 samples of unique crop varieties are housed within this storage facility and are expected to exceed 1 million varieties of seeds in the near future. Crop diversity is a conservative approach to combating climate change that requires global consent and economic support. 

Blog Reflections

1) Consider your food system: what do you like about it? What you dislike about it (consider taste, nutrition, cost, equality and environmental issues)?

1) Three years ago my partner and I decided to adopt a strict vegetarian diet. Currently we are living in Osborne village where we have access to Safeway, Vita Health and Organza. With competitive prices, Vita Health offers an excellent organic produce selection often in support of local farm cooperatives. In order to maintain healthy protein requirements we eat free- run, organic grass fed eggs. Another excellent meat alternative can be found in hemp hearts and hemp protein containing high concentrations of Omgea-6 and Omega-3, iron, and fiber. The conscious transition away from junk food and cheap GMO alternatives has been an upward battle but the rewards are in the form of a strong immune system and cognitive awareness. It has become artistic mission to raise awareness about how these corporate giants how conceal the truth to preserve their profits at the cost of human health, environmental integrity and biological diversity. By eliminating toxic chemicals from my diet and expressing this message in my art I hope to change the perspectives of people around me via the ripple effect. 

2) What role, if any, should zoos play in conservation/ education? Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos? 

If so, what size/ type of animal or zoo? Do you enjoy visiting zoos?

2) Raising awareness by through public education about current extinction issues and species conservation should be the goal for sustainable zoo management.  Realistically, humans have built imprisoning environments that deny social interaction between different species and limit natural environmental variation. Isolating animals to monitor their behaviors also compromises their immune systems and naturally leads to species extinction. I do not condone the capture of wild animals for educational or entertainment purposes because the limited space allocated to these animals causes extremely stressful experiences and perpetuates an imbalance within the global ecosystem. I fully supportive of animal sanctuaries that promote protection, rehabilitation and conservation of endangered or threatened species to preserve global biological diversity. 
 

3) What am I doing to promote sustainability and happiness in my life?

What would I like to do? I pledge to: 

3) I have adopted a vegetarian diet to boycott the industrial meat market. I use biodegradable cleaners around my home to limit the input of toxic chemicals in my drinking water. I have moved into Osborne village to be closer to my place of work, school and friends. I walk, ride my bike or take the bus to all of my desired destinations. For the last 3 years I have rode my bike to the Winnipeg Folk Festival at Birds Hill Park to help reduce carbon emissions. I work at the Hempyrean at the Forks market where I get to speak with people from the community on a daily basis about environmentally friendly fibers such as Hemp and Bamboo. I am raising public awareness about sustainability and healthy living at work, in my everyday life and through my video installation work. I pledge to complete my education degree by 2016 and begin teaching high school students about sustainable lifestyle choices through science and art. I will be the change I wish to see in the world and I will lead by example.  

Toxic Prophecy: MEME interview (Prosper Street Productions) 2013

Support a ban on shipping crude oil by rail through Churchill, 2013

Toxic Prophecy 2D Series, 2013.