Aging and the Outdoors

Entry #14

4-1-12

 

        As we grow older we typically spend less time outside then we did as children. I feel this happens for a number of reasons. For instance, when we age we tend to lose our sense of wonderment. I feel that is one of the greatest causalities of aging. When we were younger woods and lakes held unlimited possibilities for fun. However, this enchantment typically doesn’t last. We often prefer the mall to a tree-house and a pool over a pond. Also, with the increases in technology, the allure of gaming consoles like XBOX and Playstation has grown increasingly stronger. Furthermore, with the invention of the Nintendo Wii many people are simulating former outdoor activates like tennis and golf in the comfort of their living rooms. Another milestone that has an impact on the amount of time one spends in nature is obtaining a driver’s license. Before one had the freedom of the open road at their fingertips, they were likely confined to the neighborhood to entertain themselves. That’s when games like tag, hide and seek, and touch football, were at their apex. Another factor which likely limits the time one spends outside is when they begin working. Maintaining a part-time or full-time job drastically cuts down the amount of leisure time one has at their disposal. With the demands of work it is understandable that many people choose a sedentary form of recreation to help them unwind. Lastly, I think puberty is also a contributing factor. Exploring the possibilities of love with another person is way more exciting than exploring your neighbor’s woods. In conclusion, I feel aging, gaming consoles, puberty, the ability to drive, and works stressors, are all factors which decrease the time one spends outdoors as they age.

Youth and the Outdoors

Entry #13

4-1-12

      I have chosen to reflect on some of the outdoor activates which were a large part of my entertainment throughout my childhood. I am the youngest of three brothers, so we always had a friend to play with. Growing up in San Carlos Park in the late 80’s and 90’s provided us with ample places to enjoy the outdoors. Furthermore, we own 5 acres of wooded land. We would often engage in long battles of “Manhunt”. We called it that because it sounds way cooler than hide and seek. Manhunt is always played in the woods, never indoors. You could find a great hiding spot in the dense palmettos, cover yourself with leaves and pine needles, or even climb a big cypress or paper tree if you were brave enough. Also, we would just spend time exploring the seemingly endless expanse of trees. Looking back it is funny to think that my brother Garrick and I found a place we named “Fern Mountain.” We must have been really young because I have no idea what small lump of soil we declared a mountain. We also enjoyed setting empty cans and bottles on tree branches and sharpening our aim with BB guns. My brothers also engaged in catching snakes and lizards for fun, but I was too scared to participate. Another staple of my childhood was wiffle ball. You can’t start a game of backyard wiffle ball without first clearly defining which tree is designated as a foul pole and which tree defines a home run. Although it is somewhat morbid, I feel these are the fond memories I will reflect back to when I am at the end of my life like Solomon did from A Land Remembered. They were simple times filled with the laughter and love of my family

Heifer

Entry  #12

4-1-12

http://www.heifer.org/ourwork/success/africa/malawi-a-brighter-future-for-two-boys-in-malawi

     Heifer is a great organization which my family and I donate to. The cornerstone of the organization is to promote sustainability and to share the aid you have received with others. I wholeheartedly support those goals. Heifer teaches impoverished people about how they must think long-term as opposed to living for the day. In the past farmers have used the land irresponsibly because they were unaware of how their actions would impact them. As a result they would eventually cause their own hardships. Heifer is educating their clients about principles including: plant and animal production practices, enhance environmental quality and natural resources, and to make the most of on-farm and renewable resources. Once the clients are equipped with this knowledge they can begin to make poverty a thing of the past. As I mentioned earlier, Heifer clients are also required to share their knowledge and tangible goods with those who are in need. This attitude of peer mentoring and compassion can have a revolutionary change in impoverished areas. I would like to share a Heifer success story. A grandfather who lived in Malawi had two malnourished grandchildren who depended on him. He only was able to save $14 a year from his potato farming. Once they received a cow it began providing the children with life-giving milk. Also, the grandfather was able to make $100 a month selling milk! Furthermore, the manure the cow provided made his potato farm produce twice the yield. Once he had enough money, he purchased a new cow and gave his away to a family that was struggling so they can erase poverty in their lives.  Heifer is teaching principles of sustainability and compassion while saving lives, I commend and thank them.

African Land Deals

Entry #11

3-26-12

     I was shocked and saddened to learn about the exploitative land deals which are taking place in some of the World’s poorest countries. In Africa foreign investors are being sold massive plots of land for cheap, or in exchange for promises of infrastructure, job opportunities, and other industrial necessities. Tragically, the African government is making these exploitative deals without getting the input of their fellow countrymen. What is worse is that the greedy governments are oftentimes selling land right out from under the rightful owners. In most of these cultures land deeds don’t exists because everything has historically be done through word of mouth. Furthermore, research has shown that the promises by foreign investors to end poverty and create jobs happens on a minute scale, if at all. These poor nations are in severe need of help. They receive billions of dollars in aid and yet a third of the population is malnourished. It would be in the best interest of Africa and those who provide monetary support to see Africa reach its full potential. In my opinion, the finical support needs to be tied to the country making strides to becoming self-sustaining. Currently we often hear stories about how the corrupt government keeps the food and money and gives it to only a select few. Inadvertently, we are supporting the oppression of the people we are trying to help. I think countries who receive aid should have to show proof of fledgling gardens, or the support would be scaled back or cut. While drastic, I think it would be an efficient motivator. If Africa is given the chance to reach its potential it will not only help that nation, but the world. 

Lee County Waste to Energy

Entry #10

3-23-12

The trip to the Lee County Waste to Energy facility was really an eye-opener. I’ve lived in Lee County most of my life and I had no idea such a cutting-edge facility was built in 1994. It made me feel proud to see the many progressive things our county was doing to lesson our collective footprint on the planet. For example, Lee County has had the highest amount of recycling (35- 42%) then any other County in Florida for over 12 years. Also, the integrated resource recovery system used at the facility is a wonder of modern technology. By burning garbage the facility can generate fire, which in turn creates steam. The steam is then harnessed to make electricity. In essence they are turning trash into gold. For every ton of garbage burned they create the same amount of energy as a $105 barrel of oil. Similarly, the facility generates a profit by selling the excess electricity it generates to the Seminole Indian Electric company for $1.5 million dollars a month. Also, the facility collects and sells about $200,000 worth of steel a month. By utilizing these methods the plant has paid for itself several times over. In addition to making fiscal sense, this type of recovery uses 90% less space then the average landfill. In my opinion this is the most valuable aspect of the facility. Hopefully the success and practicality of the Lee County Waste to Energy system will become the standard for solid waste collection.

Climate Change

Entry #9
3-20-12

      Climate change (formerly known as global warming) is a hotly debated issue. Historically, those who are more right-leaning in their political beliefs tend to believe that it is a naturally occurring phenomenon. However, those with more liberal beliefs typically feel it is occurring because of a direct correlation of man’s impact on the Earth. Since the ideologies are divided by party lines, it is often hard for Congress to come to agreements about policies which impact Mother Nature. I won’t pull up articles citing numerous facts that show a correlation of human’s impact on the planet because there is a wealth of information and misinformation which can point the finger at either side. However, just using some common sense tells me that human’s play a large role in climate change. For example, more people are on Earth than ever before. After measuring my ecological footprint and seeing how devastating my impact is, no scientist could convince me that we don’t attribute to climate change. In my honest opinion, I think the reason why there is such staunch resistance to exploring alternative sources of energy and a more Planet-friendly lifestyle is that Big Business is terrified to see even the briefest shrinking of their huge profit margins. This type of thinking is very short-sighted. If Big Business wants to continue its love affair with money, it should do everything it can to ensure that the Earth will survive. What good is it to make money now if our irresponsible life style leads us to extinction? For the sake of the Earth and my fellow man I hope everyone can begin to see the importance of a more sustainable existence. 

Who Killed The Electric Car?

Entry #8
3-18-12

Who Killed The Electric Car was an eye-opening film. I had no idea that the car company’s had made such an efficient electric car years ago. In all honesty the film made me furious at the greed which runs rampant in today’s society. In my opinion there is NO reason EVERYONE shouldn’t be driving electric cars today. These are facts which should end anybody’s argument against the electric car: they are quieter, cleaner, and cheaper to run than gas-powered cars. However, big business has a vested interest in keeping the electric car off the market. They want top dollar for oil, if electric cars were readily available they would no longer enjoy humongous profit margins at the hands of hard-working people. With a struggling economy, unemployment soaring, and an ever-shrinking supply of oil, big businesses should be ashamed of there lack of enthusiasm in exploring alternative energy sources. Sadly, we live in a society where the value of money far exceeds the intrinsic value of the Earth and one’s fellow man. In fear of sounding like I am trying to suck up, I fully intend to buy a newer more efficient car when I have the funds to do so. The money I save in gas will in essence make the car pay for itself. I hope in years to come we see more electric cars on the road and less close- mindedness to the research and implantation of alternative energy.