Outside in the Environment

This semester I had took an English composition class themed around the environment. In class we looked into the issues that affect the environment and the different views that people hold towards it. Many of the essays were written in response to a variety of pieces dealing with the environment. Authors ranging from Rachel Carson and John Muir to Edward Abbey and N. Scott Momaday were discussed in depth and reflected on through the following essays.

As a result of taking this class my view towards the environment has drastically changed. This course has made me more aware of the issues that threaten the environment. Reading the essays have given me a new perspective as well as shown me how others, even from different time periods, view the environment. I have and probably always will enjoy the environment but now I have a better appreciation and awareness of the issues that threaten it.

I hope that this blog will bring awareness to people about the environment. Also , I hope it will contribute to the larger environmental conversation in a positive way. I hope that the conversation moves toward educating the people so change occurs for the better. I have learned through this semester that the environment and people are often intertwined and what is bad for the environment is probably bad for humans as well and vice versa. We need to realize that everything has a consequence and after a while the consequences build up. We can enjoy our environment today but if we continue on the path that we are currently on then in the future we may not be so lucky. I hope you enjoy this blog and think about some of the issues brought up in the essays. Nature is something to enjoy and we want it to be around so we can do so.

Video Credits:
Patagonia Video: Keith Malloy
Beyond Gravity
First Descent
Epic 300 Rock CLimbing

On Top of the World

Mountains are beautiful statutes that stand tall in nature. They provide not only a picturesque view but also a great place to enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. One of the many mountain ranges in America is the Appalachian Mountain Range. This range stretches from the northern parts of Maine to Georgia. In New Hampshire, there is a smaller range within the AMR, called the White Mountains. The White Mountains re home to the presidential mountains as well as a few notches. The most beautiful of the notches is Carter Notch. At first glance the mountains that create Carter Notch appear small in size, however atop the mountain looking into the notch below has a whole different perspective.

Nature is all around with a plenty for an observer to see. Near the base, the trees are thick and full and numerous. Conifers and deciduous trees mix together to create a dense blanket that cloaks the mountain. There are rocks everywhere, varying in size from huge boulders to pebbles. All the rocks appear different due to the fact that they are made up of a combination of many different types of smaller rock. The boulders protrude from the face of the mountain. They are not smooth by any means, leaving perfect handholds to use for climbing. The smaller rocks are often found hidden under a brilliant green moss or Mountain moss. This soft carpet grows all over the rocks that reside in the shade. There is a river that flows from summit to base. This river is also home to many rocks. The water is very clear and crisp. A white foam forms when the crystal water tumbles over the disruptive rocks that line its bottom. The forest floor is smothered with years of pine needles and old forgotten leaves. Old brittle branches scatter on this brown and green floor. As the summit approaches, the trees change. These trees are mostly pines, but not the large pines of the base. These are smaller in every way. They are shorter, thinner, and very few and far between. Due to the higher altitude and wind factors, it is a wonder how these amazing trees survive. The summit itself appears bare and isolated, not a very welcoming site. However, looking out over the series of notches and mountains in the distance is a very different feel. These notches are like valleys but very different at the same time. From the top of a mountain it is very easy to see the difference. A valley is the space in between two mountains, where one mountain ends and the next starts in grow. A notch is a lot smaller, but still located between two mountains. A notch is a very narrow sliver of space that is a t a lower altitude that the mountains that surround it. Almost like an alleyway between two towering apartment buildings.

The feeling of being in nature is one that cannot be replicated. The trees are there, the animals are there, the rocks and sky and wind are all there but one can feel alone if they are unaware of their environment. When the trees are thick and full, it is safe and comfortable, surrounded by friendly giants protecting from the harshness of the elements. The shade provided feels cool and appears to dim the area allowing the visitor to really experience the area without relying on their optical nerves. However, the nose will pick up a slight scent, part sweet and part unrecognizable but yet definitely present. Someone uneducated in nature might sense an eerie silence, but nature is always talking. The wind starts the song with a light but strong melody complimented by the harmony of the bubbling river. The notches and valleys provide the base line for this composition. The Mountain's song is echoed back. This symphony filters into the uncivilized cities, with their obnoxious and deafening tune, to help teach the stubborn student the way. The air is crisp, clean, and sweet. With the first breath, the lungs relax and take a vacation from their round the clock filtering job. Free from man’s pollution, this air is light. It plays through the trees and along the ridgelines of the natural skyscrapers. Only when in nature’s city can one feel the hustle and bustle of the creatures, hear the song composed by the mountains, and taste of air that was not tampered with by man.

Being surrounded with nature is a great feeling. The eyes take in sights familiar only from photographs. The ears hear sounds that most miss when their ears are blown out with the loud noise of the cities. Everything is natural and free. Being atop a mountain big or small with bring a sense of understanding to anyone. The view, the sounds, the feelings in general will rush over and envelope for those moments when one is standing, on top of the world.

Environmental Letter to the President Elect

Dear President-Elect-Obama-

I am writing to inform you about an environmental issue that is threatening our nation. The United States of America is a great nation. Its people are intelligent and hardworking, however, they are also extremely wasteful. This nation produces about 1,609 pounds of garbage a year per person making the US the top garbage producing country in the world. To put that another way, 5 percent of the world’s population produces 40 percent of the world’s garbage (Solarflair). That is an outrageous percentage that has to be changed. I think with the change in leadership of this country can come a change in disregard for the environment. There are many reasons the people of America do not recycle. Some are unaware of the problem while some are aware but recycling places are inaccessible. These problems have very real solutions. As president, it would be unfortunate if you chose to ignore this issue.

Many people are just purely uneducated and unaware when it comes to waste verse recycling. As president, you have the power to bring the spotlight on this issue. Running public service announcement and starting a nation wide recycling movement would defiantly bring it to the forefront. Bring the statistics to the average American would influence the amount of recycling that takes place. Letting people know that if each person recycled one tenth of their newspapers then America would save on average 25 million trees (Solarflair). It would be even better if people were able to access the news through other outlets than even more trees would be saved. Newspapers are just one example of how something so small can affect the environment so much. If we applied this to paper, plastic, metals, and other recyclable materials, our environment would not be deteriorating at such a fast pace. Educating and making people aware of the situation would greatly improve at least the probability of recycling, if not actually recycling.

Many people understand the effects of not recycling however, places to recycle are not very accessible. Helping states to get better recycling programs is a very real solution to this problem. Having a reward system to states that implement these recycling programs up to a certain set standard may make recycling a higher priority. When the government makes recycling a higher priority would help to encourage more people to think the next time they drink a bottle of water. When a recycling bin is right next to the garbage can, it is just as easy to throw the bottle in the recycling bin, as it is to throw it in the regular garbage. The decision is much easier to make when no extra effort is involved. Also in this time of economic recession many more people would recycle if they knew that it would save them some money. To have garbage incinerated or taken away to landfills cost on average more than to recycle it. If recycling were made easier, more people would participate.

President-elect-Obama, I know that you have very strong environmental policies that you plan to put into action once you are sworn into office. I am asking you to look into recycling. This issue could help to solve some of the bigger issues that are affecting our environment. Educating people and making recycling more accessible are just some suggestions that might help to get recycling into the mainstream public of America. I look forward to what you are going to be able to accomplish when you are president. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Liann Correia



Works Cited
"Environment." Barack Obama: US Senator for Illinois. 17 Nov. 2008 .
"Recycling Facts." A Recycling Revolution-Solarflair. 17 Nov. 2008 .

Humans Exploiting Animals Due to the Difference Between Instincts and Intelligence

People and animals interact on many different levels on a daily basis. People respond to these animal interactions in different ways. Some people think that the way animals react are based on one of two things, either instincts or intelligence. Animals have both instincts and intelligence with each species determining the ratio. Instincts are based on natural tendencies to react a certain way in a specific situation, while intelligence is based on knowledge learned. Instincts also represent the very primal being, the caveman, where the goal is to survive. Intelligence often represents the ability to understand, use logic, or even feel emotions. Humans put these ideas on animals to justify certain actions. Humans are more likely to exploit animals that depend on instincts than animals that depend on intelligence.

When animals react to their environments in a way that was not learned, they reacted out of instinct. Instinct comes from a scientific background. These instinctual behaviors are often linked to genes that are hereditary or passed down from the parents to the child. The genes that control instincts change to allow the animal to survive in its environment and compete with other species. Instincts are not about thinking, but rather about a programmed response to protect the animals’ survival. Rachel Carson wrote about instincts in her essay “Tides." In one section, Carson writes about the Grunion and how it adapted to the tidal rhythm. “It has so adapted its spawning habits to the tidal cycle that the very existence of the race depends on the precision of this adjustment. “ (Carson, 344) The Grunion uses its instincts to lay its eggs on the beach and continue its race. Another species that relies heavily on instincts for spawning is Salmon. Salmon are hatched from eggs in rivers. They travel downstream to the sea and wait until they are sexually mature to travel upstream where they were hatched to lay and fertilize eggs. This is a very instinctual behavior. The reproductive cycle depends on the salmon making the trip upstream to lay its eggs using their sort of homing device to lead them back to their birthplace. This is their reaction to their environment that is not learned and therefore an instinct.

When animals react to their environment in a way that was learned, they reacted using intelligence. Intelligence varies greatly from species to species. Intelligence in animals may not be based on logic like it is with humans, however it is based on observation, imitation, and repetition. Adult animals pass down these intelligent behaviors to the young to not just survive, but also to live better. These behaviors come from more advanced thinking than just instinct. Unlike Rachel Carson, Alexander Petrunkevitch wrote about the intelligence of the Digger Wasp in his essay “ The Spider and the Wasp." Petrunkevitch states, “ The wasp acts like an intelligent animal. This is not to say that instinct plays no part or that she reasons as man does. But her actions are to the point; they are not automatic and can be modified to fit the situation.” (Petrunkevitch, 362) Another species that uses their intellect instead of their instincts are bears, specifically the Grizzly Bears found in North America. These intelligent creatures have learned to take advantage of a certain time of year. Bears are a hibernating species, which means that they must store up fat deposits in order to survive the winter. In order to do this bears have learned to hunt for salmon during the salmon runs. Many of these bears live near rivers in which salmon lay their eggs. When the salmon make their way upstream, the bears hunt. The salmon are numerous and weakened by their struggle to fight the current allow the bears to gather and eat extraordinary numbers. These bears even distinguish the difference between the fat in the fish and the meat. The bears only eat the fat because the meat burns too many calories when it is digested. The bear cubs learn this behavior from their parents through observation and practice. This behavior is the result of the bears reacting to their environment, the salmon run, and using their intelligence to take advantage.

Humans react to animal instincts very differently than to animal intelligence. Humans are known for using animals in a variety of ways, however an animal with intelligences tends to be treated better. Dogs can be trained to guide blind people through life. Those dogs are treated like people, better than pets and are rewarded for their intelligence. However, animals like chickens are exploited for their eggs. Farmers cram houses full of chickens and treat them less than desirable all the while taking their eggs to sell. Chickens are not the most intelligent animals in the world, however no one ever said that they were brainless and had no feeling. Humans allow dogs, cats, birds, and such to live in the house; yet, cows and pigs and chickens must live outside. Dogs and cats give humans companionship while one could say that cows and pigs give humans something much more useful, food. People tend to justify the eating of animals by saying that the animal is unintelligent and cannot feel or know what is happening. However, using this theory than if there were a higher trophic level in our food chain, it would be just fine to eat unintelligent humans for they could not feel or know what was happening to them. I am positive that they would not agree to this statement. Humans find it completely acceptable to eat salmon by the boatload, but bears on the other hand, not so much. Bears show qualities that humans can associate with while salmon do not. Bears show intelligence while salmon show natural instincts. Connecting to bears as well as accepting their intelligence makes humans much more leery to exploit these creatures. In fact, Grizzly Bears are on the endangered species list in order to protect them. Humans react to animal intelligence by associating with them and therefore are much more likely to not exploit them. However, animal instincts do not evoke the same reaction. Humans tend to view these animals as natural resource but on earth for humans to take advantage of.


Works Cited

Carson, Rachel. The Sea Around Us. New York, NY: Oxford UP, 1951.
Petrunkevitch, Alexander. "The Spider and the Wasp." Scientific American Aug. 1952.

Picture Credits:

Salmon Run

Bears Fishing

Bear and Salmon