Welcome to Class and the Environment First Year Seminar, Fall 2010. This is the first course of this nature at Middlebury. I’m teaching it because I’m interested in investigating how issues pertaining to capitalism, the environment and class intersect. I have no agenda, other than inquiry; that is, my only goal is to collaborate with you in developing the relevant questions that get at this complex intersection.
It is true, however, that if you’re an African American, it’s more likely that you’ll live next to a sanitation dump, a power station and have to deal with problems of poor air and water; it is more likely that you’ll also suffer from health problems — asthma, for instance. Therefore it is not surprising or even illogical to surmise that placing poor and helpless people that may lack wealth and therefore political power next to environmentally dangerous is systematic. For instance, one of the largest and most compelling wind turbine projects is proposed for the ocean off the coast of Cape Cod. This project has met resistance in courts, lead by the Kennedys and the Duponts. The primary argument the Kennedys and the Duponts have put forth is that the turbines will ruin the natural beauty of the view. There is something, then, to how we develop our infrastructure and class.
The course could have been longer, of course; however, I tried to select material that is theoretical and contemporary. It’s a difficult subject because it’s evolving faster than we can think about it. Nevertheless, I’ve tried to provide you with enough materials to ensure you get a wide sense of the ideas and tensions that exist when we speak about class and the environment.
Given the nature of the material, its ongoing change, I’ve made the call to have you write one piece, that you will revise weekly, but that gives you ample creative room to tell your story and simultaneously engage the materials in the course.
This section of the course, the Blog, is just that, a blog. This page is open to each of you. What I expect, as part of my assessment of you, is that you use this space to place ideas, materials, anything at all you consider or run into after class; it is a place to continue talking about ideas we’ve raised in class, and it’s a place for you to give us resources you find in materials that haven’t been included in the course. For instance, in A Glimpse of the Future, columnist Bob Herbert, of the New York Times, tells us that, “President Obama made an appearance in Florida last week that should have gotten more attention. At a time when many Americans are apprehensive about the state of the economy and uncertain about the nation’s long-term prospects, Mr. Obama delivered an upbeat speech that offered a glimpse of a broader overall vision and a practical way forward on the crucial issues of energy and jobs.” Unfortunately, this positive vision received little to no coverage; there was no excitement, leaving Herbert — and his readers — wondering where the American public may be in terms of new development along green lines.
Notice that I provide a resource, a quote, properly cited on the web or for web use, and a statement. I’ll end it with a question: what, indeed, do you think is going on with the American public? Apathy? The issues to complex? Is the public overwhelmed by wars, the economy and simply survival to consider such future-looking and complex ideas?
This is the use of this section. Hopefully, then, others in the class would discuss this one idea and see where it takes us.
Please feel free to add your “welcome”!
Hi,
I’m Jack Byrne, the Director of the Sustainability Integration Office at Middlebury. Just checked out this blog after an email from Professor Vila. He is part of a project we are doing with Middlebury faculty members interested in the topic of sustainability and how to weave it into their courses and teaching. So far, 25 Midd faculty have participated. I am really excited to see what you are doing with this course already and look forward to learning more as it progresses.
If I can be of any help to you all, please let me know. I’m especially interested in how we use the big idea of sustainability to more effectively address social inequity/injustice and poverty while restoring/protecting the ecologies of our planet and places. Not an easy thing but something we have to get better at doing.
Jack
Hi!!!! 😀 My name is McKenzie and along with Haley, I will be a peer writing tutor for your class. As Hector mentioned earlier, I am from Vail, Colorado, another ski town in the mountains close to where Higgs lives. I am a junior majoring in Sociology and Psychology. After reading all of your posts I am enthusiastic to see where your different perspectives and backgrounds take the class in comparison to when I took the class last Jterm! I am looking forward to meeting you all and hope you are enjoying your first week at Midd!
Hi guys! Sorry I’m late getting on here but it looks like you’ve all been keeping busy! My name is Haley and I am lucky enough to be one of your peer writing tutors this fall. I’m from a tiny town in Nova Scotia called Antigonish, and I’m currently a junior majoring in Biochemistry. I took this class last Jterm and I am so jealous that you guys are able to spend more than just a month studying these issues with Hector. I’m very excited to meet all of you and I hope your first week at Middlebury has been great!
Hi everyone!
I’m Emily and I’m from New York City. I chose this seminar because I have always been interested in the environmental sciences and I’ve also enjoyed the two classes I have taken in this field. My junior year first semester I took a course called Environmental Sustainability, which I think was sort of an introduction to what we’ll be learning in Class and the Environment. While the majority of the curriculum was based on NYC policies, we briefly discussed different nations’ government policies pertaining to the environment and studied how different areas of the world approach global warming/current environmental issues. While this course did not focus too much on capitalism, I think that Professor Vila’s point about how poorer nations and neighborhoods tend to suffer from more dramatic environmental issues would have been the next topic in the class had it been longer than a semester.
The second E Sci course that I took was durning my junior year second semester, when I studied at The Mountain School in Vershire, VT. Aside from the typical high school curriculum, this semester school also required an Environmental Science class as well as weekly school meetings about sustainability. We began by looking closely at the environment we were in – a small organic and self-sustaining farm in Vermont – and then we slowly zoomed out and began discussing the policies and actions that our own hometowns and schools had taken towards environmental change. It was interesting to hear from my classmates how their respective neighborhoods/towns/cities all over the country were managing the environment. For example, a girl from an affluent neighborhood near San Francisco said that her high school had solar panels, served almost all organic food, and composted all of its compostable trash. On the other hand, classmates from less affluent areas said that their schools had taken no action towards helping the environment and were in fact quite wasteful. Discussions like these made me even more interested in learning about how capitalism affects the way that people live and the way that the government implements environmental policies.
I’m excited to meet all of you!
Excellent, Emily! Wonderful background. You guys from NYC need to speak to each other because you already have the potential for some interesting project possibilities! Can’t wait for our class discussions! It’s going to be a very interesting ride!
My name is Michael, but feel free to call me Mike or Michael. I am from Hamilton Ontario – just outside of Toronto. A major steel manufacturer in town is the reason behind Hamilton’s nickname is ‘Steel City’. Despite the obvious signs of pollution in front of me, what really pushed me to pick this seminar is my academic interest in social progress in countries, especially in the US and Middle East. Apparently Midd Kids are pretty free-thinking and environmentally conscious, so this is the best place for this seminar to take place.
What do you think is going on with the American public? Environmentalism appears inherently connected to social and economic progress. Environmentalism seems to be the product of wealthy, liberal countries. Germany is years (perhaps decades) ahead of the US in renewable technology and resources. Germany is also far more liberal and less religious than the US. However, Germans work less, make less money than Americans, and their national endowment is far smaller. Maybe, social progress has more of an influence than economic status. An excellent example of the link between social progress and environmental-action is Saudi Arabia. The country is wealthy, but backwards in every other way. Do you honestly think Saudi Arabia has any hope for environmentalism?
I think, Michael, that you ask some relevant and important questions. In many ways, these are questions that we’ll be asking over and over again. For work, what’s the quality of life and how is it measured in Germany? In the USA, for instance, those employed (another dilemma: how do the unemployed feel about this comment, for instance?) work more hours and have less leisure time than other “advanced” countries (notice I’m not using “First World”/”Third World” language). In many respects, our class structure is measuring value according to leisure — where did you travel last year? And how many weeks were you away? This is what we do. A quick look at vacation guides, for instance, shows you what we’re up to: quick, 3 to 4 (discounted) vacations in exotic spots with lots to do — bungee jumping, deep sea snorkeling, golf, tennis, even weight reduction, if you want. This is symptomatic of a culture on steroids (no wonder we have such steroid problems in sports!). Is a culture that always wants more happy? And when and how did more become measures of value?
In keeping with this discussion, here’s something interesting:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/29/world/asia/29water.html
Such an interesting article! I went to boarding school in Darjeeling, India when I was younger and I never thought of the water problems in India. What a difference time makes! I remember growing up in Nepal my family was fortunate enough to have running water, but today (I still have family there) just like in India even the more affluent neighborhoods have lines for water, and there’s something called “load sharing” where electricity is cut off at certain times of the day (this I discovered while trying to skype with my cousin). I’m saying this way too simply, because there’s so much more going on in Nepal especially with the government.
On the flip side, Bhutan is far more well off than Nepal. Although both countries are neighbors with India, they are so different. Bhutan’s government prides itself on focusing on Gross National Happiness. It has hydroelectric plants and even sells some of that power to India.
In response to Prof. Vila’s question, I feel that more is not always good, but we should focus on better. In Bhutan, my grandparents still choose to live on a farm rather than in Thimphu, the capital city. They’re content with what they have, but they know that Thimphu is better.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4782636.stm
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/world/asia/07bhutan.html?ref=bhutan
I think I might be a little biased, just because I love Bhutan!
Wow! Just from reading the welcomes, I get a taste of the level of enthusiasm and instruction Middlebury will provide on authentic modern-day issues.
On that note, Bonjour everyone! I’m Fred and I currently live in a small neighborhood called Riverdale located in the Bronx, New York. Due to my family background, I’ve had the privilege of being exposed to quite a few different places throughout my lifetime which include Paris, France , Conakry, Guinea , Rockland County, NY , Port-au-Prince, Haiti , almost all of New York City and in five days Middlebury, Vermont! I consider this my strongest quality when coming into my freshman year.
When choosing seminars, a very close friend of mine, currently a sophomore at Emory University advised that I don’t stress too much on the relation between my FYSE and my intended major. Given that Middlebury is known for its support of the “Go Green” movement and its eco-friendly energy utilization, I figured it’d be a good idea to study how our decisions as a society affect the environment on a college level. Since it will be a completely new thing for me to study, I am both very excited but just a tad nervous. Luckily enough I was able to meet Professor Vila beforehand who assured me that his First Year Seminar would be a rigorous but promising course.
I feel Professor Vila in a way answers his own question “What is going on with the American public,” when he states that there is a “wide sense of the ideas and tensions that exist when we speak about class and the environment,” because in reality, I believe every continent, nation, city, and individual in society has a different opinion/approach on the issue. For instance, one can see the differences in a Socialist v. Capitalist influence by comparing my two favorite cities, Paris and New York City. Both are two major modern day touristic sites known and respected for their beauty and class, but when it comes to environmental approach are extremely different. Why is this? Paris’s infrastructure stresses being eco-friendly and even have their own public biking system, “Velib” for transportation. It’s a very successful company that provides bikes available for rental on practically every other block in Paris and its neighboring suburbs. The idea was actually proposed by the French Socialist Party, a party that managed to maintain standing ties to the government well after the Cold War ended. The only matching approach I’ve seen in New York is the privatized company MTA which just this year converted to hybrid buses for transportation. (which is great, but..)I believe that United States resentment of socialist ideas i.e. the Red Scare, Reaganomics, and abuse of laissez-faire economics has limited our potential to distribute wealth for amazing environmental decisions and projects. For example The French Government also allows a $6,600 tax credit for any electric vehicle buyers before 2012. It’s a great point to pressure converting our energy consumption urgently, but capitalism and business interferes with this, and it would be interesting to learn quite a bit more on what society needs to do to diminish this interference.
Finally, I completely agree with Liam when he states the US should follow the Norwegian example. Also its critical Zoe points out how Cubans manage to live comfortably on 1/8th the energy of the average Americans. It displays that there are quite a few worldwide examples in that I think the US would benefit from catching on too. Seeing as our last eight years of foreign relations with the UN haven’t been too great, I’m proud Obama is at least attempting to restore this.
I’m really looking forward to meeting all of you in a few days! I feel that this class will aid me in gaining more precision when it comes to the parallels between the economy and the environment, and applying it to my future studies!
See you soon!
Fred
thanks, Fred — great post! I think we need to get a few things on the table NOW and keep these in mind.
If I were to ask you ALL to describe a theme in all these posts what would it be?
The tendency would be for you all to look at, say, how environmentalism/class, etc., are dealt with and to find a common thread, yes? But I’m looking at something else, which is that nearly every post, while struggling to find responses to the complexity of our times, leans towards a “yes/no”, “black/white,” it’s either “this or that” kind of response. So the first thing we have to come to terms with is that this is NOT YOU, but rather, how you’ve been educated into manufacturing consent, as Chomsky would argue. We are purposefully taught this way — education, religious institutions, social organizations, government, and, of course, the media who employs/deploys this method quite effectively. We’re going to live in the gray for the next 12 weeks, which is where anything at all that is smart is trying to live.
For instance, Fred brings up the Paris / NY division — one funded by the Socialist Party, the other full out capitalism. As you’ll learn when your read Empire of Illusion, WE ALREADY LIVE IN A SOCIALIST SYSTEM! Hedges, in Empire, cites Ralph Nader as follows: “Bankrupt corporate capitalism is on its way to bankrupting the socialism that it is trying to save. That is the end stage. If they no longer have socialism to save them, then we are in feudalism. We are into private police, gated communities, and serfs with a twenty-first-century nomenclature” (187). That is, when we bail our automobile companies, banks, etc., it’s we the people who are doing so; thus, we, the workers, are doing time in the labor force to make sure that a large percentage of our earned income goes to ensure that these companies stay afloat — and profit. This is both government and corporate socialism; it’s model is ancient, dating back, as Nader suggest, to just post the middle ages. And it also gives rise to a class structure, most visible in communities such as Newark, the South Bronx, Compton, New Orleans, etc; it’s also quite visible in our education system where the outlawed “separate but equal” is actually how the system is divided. This system, then, leads to unemployment, hunger and poverty, and, of course, high crime, violent crime.
Another point to take up, then, is what is fascism? Fascism exists when we have great evidence of depressions, wars, and totalitarianism; these, in turn, historically, are outgrowths of a self-regulated market system that reaches a point where it refuses to function. Much of what you see and hear today — Glenn Beck’s march on Washington, a Florida fundamentalist preacher that wants to burn the Holy Qur’an, the Tea Party yelling and screaming, particularly about Obama’s birth place and religion — are symptoms of the end of a cycle. In 1949, Albert Einstein warned us against this, suggesting that capital in the hands of a few, guided by or moved through technological advances, which increases the division of labor, would be destructive.
But the greatest evidence that what I’m suggesting to you, here, is a fact of life is you guys — hopeful, eager, interested, needing to engage, wanting to find answers, and willing to work for this. This is new, different. I was in the last Vietnam draft; they called my generation the “ME Generation” because all we wanted was something for us. We grew up during Civil Rights, Feminism, Vietnam, Woodstock, Richard Nixon and Watergate, the assassinations of JFK, Robert, and Martin, all seen live on TV; we also all marched after students were murdered by National Guardsmen at Kent State. We saw Jim Morrison die a pathetic death, as did Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. It’s no wonder that what we went after was a life ONLY FOR ME. We’re your parents, many of you. This is the world we’re giving you. But you guys, now you guys ARE DIFFERENT, seeing more, much more that we did, perhaps for lots of reasons, not least of which is 9/11!
My task is to keep jarring you off the manufactured marks you bring to class as possible points entry; these are merely ways of seeing that have to be uncovered so as to find you, who you really are and what you really want. What I really want is for you to see as freely as possible who you are, raw and real; only then can you make your creative mark.
Frederic,
I really liked your post because it stressed how important it is to compare different models in different countries. I think the U.S could learn a lot from the systems and values of other countries! I spent the summer in Brazil, and I was amazed at what a green country it was. Even though Brazil obviously has a huge share of its own problems (poverty, huge gap between the rich and the poor), I was shocked by what a “green” country it was! Just a small example, but next to every single trash bin there was an organic matter bin and a recycling bin. This system literally forced me to sort my trash. I think of myself as being pretty good at recycling, but I was amazed at how much more was being composted and recycled with this system. How can we bring an idea like this back to the U.S? Or, how about the way of thinking, that trash should be sorted? Brazil also has cars that run on alcohol. When we first stopped at a gas station, I got a lot of weird looks when I started taking pictures of the alcohol pump! As a country that is progressing at a rapid rate through agricultural-based and largely green means, I think Brazil would serve as a great model to other developing countries. And the U.S could take a tip or two! I think this proves, like you said, the importance of international/foreign relations. Anyway, sorry to ramble on about Brazil. But I think you are totally right to compare different areas of the world to the U.S, like Paris and NYC. It’s interesting that you bring up the socialist vs. capitalist thing, but what else do you think is behind the differences? And how do we change systems that have already been in place in the U.S for so long?
I agree with Zoe that it is important to contrast different societies. I was reading posts of renewable farmers in the US and I immediately thought of the farmers in poorer Slavic countries. With no monetary incentive decades old technology still crowd the fields. American farmers at least have a market for organic, pesticide free, etc. products. The Slavic farmers seem stuck.
Agreed. I have to say I’m quite impressed with your experiences outside the US. I never would have guessed that Brazil had such a commitment to environment. I have to ask however, did you witness this during your sojourn at one particular city or is it a confirmed nationwide habit? The reason I ask if it’s a procedure that is limited to just Rio de Janeiro, it’d be quite difficult to believe that recycling is a big thing area like Sao Paolo, which lacks an auspicious infrastructure. Nevertheless an international approach I feel is key to solving environmental conflicts.
Answering your question of other differences that might affect our decision would be a comparison of our overall demographics and population. For instance bringing up an example of two regions in the same city to compare, the Bronx to Staten Island. Staten Island is very eco-friendly to the extent where high school students put the environment as a primary district concern. In the Bronx, however still the same city, you have kids apprehending whether or not they’ll make to school without facing a bullet wound. Every region,city, and state has different priorities, and our inability to recognize this I think affects our decisions. Like Professor Vila pointed out, we are still in a very segregated society, whether or not the Brown v Board is still in debate. The only way to change these systems, I think, would be by eliminating class…. now how do we do that?
Frederic, you are right to ask if the things I talked about are true across Brazil. Brazil is a pretty huge country (about as big as mainland US!) and I was only in the southern part of the country. I am pretty sure the alcohol-fuel system is true throughout Brazil. The recycling system was true in several of the cities that I visited, but was not really present in Sao Paulo. It would be interesting to see what made some cities in Brazil so green (Londrina), and others not so much (Sao Paulo). And I also think you made a really good point about eliminating class. How do you even start to approach an issue of the magnitude?
Hey Guys,
My name is Jack Allard and I live in Natick, Mass about half an hour outside of Boston.
I was happy to see the article about New Orleans on our email, its good to see that people are still thinking about the people down there. For the past three years I have gone down to St. Bernards Parish to help out the community for a week during spring break. Although the trend of “going green” is starting to take root down there, some people have so many other problems to worry about that they don’t worry about their global footprint. Although some people may feel or act this way there are many many others who I met and talked to people who look at Katrina as a chance to rebuild houses in a “greener” way. An example of this effort is located in the lower ninth ward of NO. The lower ninth experienced tremendous damage in the storm and most houses were either leveled or crippled beyond repair. Over the past years, Brad Pitt has been working with a company called Make it Right NOLA building houses in the lower ninth ward. The houses are energy efficient and green and after they are completed they are given to families. This project is great for two reasons, one is that they are giving these people a great place to live after losing their homes to Katrina. The other reason is that they are starting the trend of going green in areas that might not be doing so on their own. By putting green houses in place and showing how people can help the environment they are really getting the ball rolling in the poorer neighborhoods. I’m not saying that these houses are perfect. They are controversial in some areas of New Orleans. Some people feel that they are spending too much money on each house and that they could be building entire neighborhood instead of single houses. Other people feel that the modern style houses clash against the culture and history of the area. Heres the link if your interested (http://www.makeitrightnola.org/)
Ok sorry if I’m a little off track here…Anyways on to the question:
Hopefully by now the American public is past the denial stage of global warming and other environmental issues. Now we face the issue of where to start. I think the main problem that we have is in convincing the american public to change into more environmentally friendly people is that people don’t want to put time and effort into something if its just going to be offset by other people. What is the point of recycling my cans when people are throwing trash out the window by my house? (thats not how I feel, but you get my point) . The process of changing peoples habit and way of living is going to take time, more time than our lifetime. The more people realize that this isn’t something that ever going to be “finished” the less motivated people get started. Unfortunately I don’t have a solution to get people to change…yet.
Having spent a little time in New Orleans and seen how a low economic community deals with disaster and rebuilding in a green way (even if it comes from a movie star) made me interested in how different economic classes are reacting to the environmental issues happening in the world today. This class seemed like the perfect opportunity to investigate this issue. See you guys in a few days!
I think people don’t view environmental problems as immediate threats to their existence. Most Americans would agree that the economy is the greatest issue our nation is facing right now. Because business is struggling and unemployment rates have escalated, our primary concerns are fiscally related. Nonetheless, we should not turn our back on environmental issues. It may be difficult to motivate the generations before us to change their ways, but it is important for our generation and the next generation to become aware of future environmental hazards. As John stated, many people realize the inevitability of such hazards as global warming. Our only choice is to change our ways of living, or else we endanger our lives. Greater emphasis on educating young people about the environment and how our actions effect the environment should be carried out, so that we have no excuse not to change.
I agree that people don’t see environmental issues as critical for their existence, but part of what Obama is trying to do is show people that addressing these issues can actually help the economy. New jobs, more sustainable energy sources, and many other benefits can help both the economy and the environment. Americans need to stray from the idea that these changes are going to be extremely expensive.
I agree that Americans choose to ignore environmental issues because we are also facing many other concerns, but I feel that part of the reason it goes so ignored is because people recognize how severe it has become, to the point where our situation is percieved as one of hopelessness. Americans are aware of the environmental dilemmas that threaten us but people feel it is nearly impossible to make a dent or to make progess through their own actions. Therefore, they stray from environmental friendly behavior and resort to the behavior that assisted in creating this predicament. Both previous comments touched on this, but I believe a majority of the problem is not only that people are apathetic, but that they think everyone else is apathetic, so it is therefore justifiable for their own actions to be unethical, because what’s the point? Clearly this mindset is wrong from on outsiders’ perspective but until everyone is accountable for their own actions it will be difficult to improve anything, unfortunately that might take a while.
I actually haven’t had that many experiences with people of generations before us being difficult to motivate to change their ways. Have other people?
But if it is true that it is a tough challenge to change the ways of older generations, ( As Professor Vila said somewhere in this blog, it can be tough to “teach an old dog new tricks”) then I think you are right that our generation and those after us need to set the example, and we need to continue to focus on educating young people. But, the problem is (as also discussed somewhere else in this blog 🙂 ), the habits and values we learn at home and in our communities when we are young are some of the most important ones we carry with us as adults. If environmental issues and other values aren’t being learned there, how can we still impress them upon kids? The generations before us still have a huge impact on ours and future ones and if their values are out-of-date, what can we do?
It’s true that it’s really difficult to continue to be environmentally friendly when you see so many people offsetting “your work.” At the new Yankee Stadium, instead of having normal trash cans, there are now trash cans, recycling bins, and a compost bin all next to each other. At first when I saw this I was excited to see that the city was trying to make a small difference in this new stadium, but when I walked up to the bins I saw that the majority of each bin’s contents belonged in one of the other bins. If New Yorkers took the time to just read the huge obvious label on the bins they could contribute to this system. However, I feel like once someone sees the wrong thing in the wrong bin, they won’t care enough to sort their trash appropriately because the person before them did not either. It’s almost like a chain reaction — if you see someone not caring, then you might not care either. At the same time, if someone sets a good example then hopefully others will follow.
The chain reaction concept definitely applies, not only to environmental problems. If you see someone act responsibly and sensibly, you feel pressure to behave in a similar manner. On the other hand, if you see someone use questionable judgment, you won’t feel guilty when you make the same decision. One person can’t make a difference on his or her own. But the decisions you make affect all the people around you. If more people were aware of how the simplest of actions impact the environment, more people would be encouraged to alter their ways. I’m pretty sure we don’t intentionally harm the environment; I just think we are unaware of the consequences of our actions.
I agree with the concept of chain reaction, and want to know if you guys think there’s any way of breaking the cycle?
“chain reaction” >> when you arrive on campus, definitely begin to notice, among yourselves, who gravitates to whom, how groups form, who eats where and with whom…Also, do a little “class” test: in town we have the Coop and Shaws, both right across from each other. Go to both and meander: what do you notice about the products? what do you notice about the people who work in either place? who shops in these places? And so on and so on…try to pick up every last little detail and see what you come up with.
Why this? Well, this is how “chain reactions” are created — it’s a management of people question.
I think one way to break the chain reaction is to each do our part and remember that what we do as individuals matters. Like with the example Emily gave with the different bins, I think if someone were sorting their trash diligently, someone else would be much less likely to go up and dump all of their trash in one bin. Just as one is much less likely to do it right if another didn’t, the opposite is true as well! It’s definitely important to remember the power of social norms/situations and the impact others have on each other.
Hey y’all! I am Dorrie Paradies and I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I chose this class as I am very interested in learning how capitalism affects the environment. I went to the second largest private school in the country that was located by the Atlanta airport, which was about a thirty minute drive from my house. All students commuted to the school from across the metro Atlanta area and some students drove over an hour every day to get to school. Moreover, from an environmental side of things this has a negative impact on our environment. Also, I believe that the selfish habits and lifestyle choices are the main reasons that American people are not concerned with the environment. Today we live in a world where individuals want to live a life that is easier for them at the time and people do not always think about the future impact of their actions.
Dorrie mentioned that out selfish habits are part of the problem. I think this is interesting because selfishness has biological and psychological roots. Perhaps, not caring about nature is natural?
This also reminds me of the philosophical conflict of “ought and is”. We are evolutionary not equipped to empathize and understand natural destruction. The feeling of “I cant believe it” after hearing about a horrible natural disaster actually tells us something about the limits of our neurology. Even with these natural limits, it does give us permission to ignore the environment.
Hi everyone!
My name is Sonam Choedon. I’m originally from Kathmandu, Nepal but have been living in New York City for the last eight years. I live in Woodside, Queens but went to high school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Although people in New York are really into going organic and being green, I feel that we miss the bigger picture. Last spring I took a class called Facing History and Ourselves, where we addressed the development and consequences of racism, and other forms of hatred and violence, and in the fall I took Chinese History, where I learned about how dependent America is on Chinese factories, and the environmental consequences of building so many factories. Those two classes together really intrigued me, and that is why I picked this seminar.
As for Professor Vila’s question, I think that the American public is definitely overwhelmed. There are so many issues that are more obvious, and applicable to their daily lives. For example, I’m sure people living in my neighborhood would probably be more concerned about finding a stable job to put food on the plate than windmills on Cape Cod. Honestly I don’t know very much about this issue (part of the reason why I signed up for this seminar). I can’t wait to hear from you all in person.
See you soon,
Sonam
Hi Sonam,
I think that it’s interesting that you say that New Yorkers are missing the “bigger picture” about the environment. I’ve lived in NYC my whole life, and I definitely agree that NYers are really “into being green.” In my neighborhood/high school there have been a lot of movements for switching to canvas bags instead of paper/plastic, switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs, and recycling. While all of these changes are definitely beneficial, I feel like we should somehow be focusing more on broader scale projects and policies. It seems like a lot of people, including myself, take the first few steps towards environmental sustainability (new lightbulbs, recycling, etc), and then feel helpless to do anything more. We are overwhelmed, as you said, because we know how large scale the world’s environmental issues are and we sometimes feel that we can only make the most minimal changes.
-Emily
Hey Emily,
First of all thank you for the response. I totally agree with you about focusing more on policies and projects, and I understand that smaller changes in lifestyle are good. From what I’ve seen in my high school, I feel that students spend more time thinking of what new tote bag or Nalgene bottle design to create. This year my school’s environmental club planted a garden on the roof of the building. For starters, the garden wasn’t very big, and the vegetables (I think it was only tomatoes) produced could not have been enough for the kitchen, so what was the point of this garden? I still have not been able to answer this question completely.
Also, my parents are really into gardening, and plant vegetables year around. My family actually uses the produce from the garden. I feel that if the environmental club were to make the garden bigger, and meet the kitchen’s needs, then it would make more sense to have a garden if not, what’re we doing with a handful of veggies?
Hey Everyone,
My name is Liam Mulhern and I am from Longmeadow, MA. Longmeadow is a suburb of Springfield, MA which is the home of Dr. Seuss and the basketball hall of fame and, according to Forbes, one of Americas fastest dying cities due to the decline in blue collar manufacturing jobs. I graduated from high school in 2009 and during my year off I had the chance to explore areas that interested me without the constraints of a high school syllabus, and the issue I kept coming back to was the growing divide between the social classes. The hot button issue that is the environment is not one I have looked into very extensively but the combination of it and class is what made me excited to take this class.
I feel that there is no like the present for our country to pursue new energy sources. The pursuit of natural gas and oil is slowly destroying some of our countries other natural resources, while making a select few individuals very rich. While the disaster on the gulf coast has destroyed fisheries and impacted wildlife greatly, the drilling for natural gas throughout the country has begun to contaminate our countries freshwater supply. In areas where natural gas is present natural gas companies have been offering compensation for the ability to drill on the land. In rural areas with relatively low incomes gas companies can afford to offer land owners more money for the drilling rights than the residents stand to make in a few years and in these economic times how can they refuse. Though I’m sure most of them would if they knew that their water supply could become contaminated with natural gas and the numerous chemicals that are put into the earth during the extraction process. And once this happens their is no way to reverse it, all the people can do is get the oil company to reimburse them for the cost of getting their water else where, often having to truck it in and store it in tanks, and watch as their land losses most of its value, putting them in worse condition financially than they were before with the possibility of serious health problems.
As long as we are still dependent on fossil fuels I think we should follow in the foot steps of the Norwegians and benefit as a nation from the use of our countries natural resources. The Norwegian government holds a majority stake in the private company Statoil, while also operating the entirely state owned Petoro. Instead of contributing to the growing wealth gap by letting private companies exploit our natural resources why don’t we do it ourselves and use the revenue to develop new sources for energy and provide better social welfare programs.
I, like most Americans, cant say that I live the most environmentally friendly lifestyle. And the problems I face in changing it are the same as so many others, it takes a car to get basically anywhere I need to go and the public transportation system in the suburbs is terribly inefficient. I started playing golf and skiing, two forms of recreation that aren’t environmentally friendly, long before I could even comprehend the environmental problems we face and now I can’t imagine my life without them. I think America is split into a few groups, there are the educated that acknowledge our impact on the environment and are doing what they can to change it, there are those who chose to believe the propaganda and dismiss the issue entirely, and then there are those who regardless of their knowledge of the situation are powerless to change it due to their financial situation. Tackling these issues as a country is definitely overwhelming and that’s why I’m glad we are going to get a chance to discuss it for the semester.
Liam
…and there are the educated who see the data and select to continue on their merry path. Nice post, Liam, very interesting and thorough. And now you’ve chosen to come to school in a rural school, requiring more autos.
You guys are also arriving at Midd at a time where they’re re-doing the entire center of the town to make traffic flow better: a bridge has been put in + a roundabout. More trucks, more cars – and we’re not even into leaf peeping season yet! What do we do?
Hi everybody! I was very happy to log into the blog and see that there were so many posts to read. Everyone seems to offer very unique and interesting ideas, and from the conversation I can already tell that we are going to have a great class. My name is Charlotte, and I am from a small, beachside town in Connecticut called Rowayton. I grew up skiing in Vermont which triggered my interest in Middlebury, and I have been lucky enough to spend my summers with my family in West Falmouth, Cape Cod. Why I bring West Falmouth up is because Hector (I hope that you really meant it when you said that we could call you Hector…) brought up in his welcome the proposal to contruct a huge wind farm off of the coast of Cape Cod. There has yet to be an offshore wind farm in the United States, and the turbines would provide three quarters of the Cape and nearby Islands electricity needs as well as send the message that the US is willing to take extreme measures to produce clean energy. The project certainly would greatly benefit the environment, however, the proposal is also very controversial among Cape Codders, for many people, whether they are American Indians or marine biologists, have voiced strong opposition to the wind farm. Not only would the turbines significantly alter the view from the beaches and nearby islands, but also they would devastate the livelihood of the local fishing community. Ted Kenendy is a prominent opponent to Cape Wind, and he challenged that “”[S]ome places should be off limits to any sort of industrial development. I wouldn’t build a wind farm in Yosemite National Park. Nor would I build one on Nantucket Sound … All of us need periodically to experience wilderness to renew our spirits and reconnect ourselves to the common history of our nation, humanity, and to God.”
Both sides of the argument are valid, but what we have to ask ourselves is what are we willing to give up for clean, renewable energy- are we willing to sacrifice the serene ocean views and the thriving fishing grounds? I am interested to learn some of your opinions on the subject, and I am looking forward to meeting everyone very much. I hope everyone is enjoying the last few days of summer!
Charlotte
Excellent Charlotte, and Welcome! I also know Rowayton! The wind turbine issue is interesting because how we’re handling it is very American. Similar issues are coming up in VT because they want to put turbines in different locations across the Green Mountains. We’ll see what we learn about all this and how to work together to benefit people.
Hey everyone, my name is Joey Kizel. I’m from Short Hills, New Jersey, a small town located about an hour away from New York City. I chose this course because I am intrigued to learn about how the economy and the environment affects different classes of people. The discussion of environment is clearly relevant in our society, so I’m excited to study the subject.
I definitely agree with Cooper and Alexandria’s comments about apathy. If people wanted to practice a “green” lifestyle, they would do it. However, a greener lifestyle would, at least at first, interrupt one’s daily routine, and many are unwilling to change or modify their ways.
I also feel that one’s upbringing greatly contributes to the extent in which one lives green. Admittedly, my family does not live a true green lifestyle. We had to see other families in our community recycling before we began recycling at home! Children who are taught within their home to be conscious about the environment will likely continue to be aware of how their actions affect the environment when they grow older. The more children see green practices be utilized, the more likely they will use these techniques themselves.
Yes, I know Short Hills! Very interesting post, Joseph, because it’s already leaning towards the firs writing assignment (keep this in mind). I really am intrigued by the notion that how we’re raised makes a lot of difference. I’m wondering if it’s too tough to teach “an old dog new tricks”, then?
Hello everyone, my name is A.J. O’Leary and I am from Short Hills, New Jersey, a small town in northern New Jersey. I chose this class for a very simple reason, and that is because up to this point in my life, I have not taken much of an interest in topics such as the environment, the economy, and the many effects they both have on our society. In addition, I have chosen, to a certain extent, to neglect society’s often negative influence on such serious issues. By taking this course, I hope to learn about the environment and how different classes interpret its importance, while developing a more proactive approach on the matter.
One of the recurring ideas in previous posts is that of apathy. I agree with Joey that a person’s outlook on the environment is directly related to their family and how they were raised. And that is not just because we are good friends and grew up in the same town. Personally, my family never took much of an interest in living a green lifestyle. However, my sister, who recently graduated from the inferior Williams College chose to go down the path of geoscience, so naturally, I developed an interest in her studies just from talking to her. I realize now that our society cannot afford to use the excuse, “I was never really exposed to any of the dilemmas we are facing,” because if we all choose to look the other way, things will only escalate and get worse. That being said, it is amazing how one family member or friend can influence another and make such pressing issues apparent to others, that may have otherwise been ignored.
Hey A.J.!
It seems to me like you are saying that ignorance is no longer an excuse. I know I’ve been exposed to environmental issues in school, in my community, and with my family, and it’s probably the same for you. But do you think it is possible that there are people in the U.S who have no knowledge of the issues? What about people who don’t believe in them (like global warming)? Do you think we should try to spread the facts (through movies, news, etc.) and try to convince/inform these people or is it simply time to take action?
Just wondering your thoughts!
Hey Everyone!
I’m Zoe from the tiny town of Trumansburg, New York, which is right near the larger city of Ithaca, home of Cornell University. Sorry I am late in posting my welcome — I actually just got back from a two-month internship in Brazil! My reasons for choosing this seminar start with my initial interest and passion in the issues of global hunger and food insecurity. The more research I did, the more I realized how much these issues are intertwined with those of the environment and class/society structure. I think this seminar will prove to not only be really interesting, but also incredibly important! As Cooper said, these are the problems that will mark our generation. I am excited to discuss them with what sounds like a pretty awesome bunch of people!
In response to your question, Professor Vila, I find it easier to look at my own experiences with the concept of “green” and with those of my area. The problem that I have run into with a lot of people (including myself) is the pure overwhelming nature of the issues we are encountering with the environment, and the way our society is inherently structured. What can one individual do? Is turning off lights and walking to work really enough? At this point, finally, I think people (at least in my area) are aware of the problems and are looking to make a difference. But where to start?
My parents, who are nearing retirement, are finally fulfilling one of their goals/dreams in life. They recently bought a piece of land and are planning to have a farm and build a “green” house (wind turbines, solar panels, composting toilet J). They are planning to be as self-sustaining as possible for the rest of their lives! I really admire them for this, but I also know I can’t expect the average American to live this way or have the resources to invest in something like this. So, what can the majority of Americans do to be more environmentally conscious?
I think the American public is realizing that things need to change, but are at a bit of a loss as to where to start. Does change of this magnitude start on a small scale, with lifestyle changes like switching off the lights or building a wind turbine (the two extremes) or does it start on a larger scale with changes in the laws and the corporations that have so much power? I’m not really sure myself, but it is definitely time to start talking about it.
I saw a movie this summer called The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil. It was all about how Cuba, after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, built an entirely new society and economy based on alternative-energy fuel sources and sustainable living. Cuba hit an oil crisis much like the kind I think our country is headed towards. After a scary period of food scarcity and stalled production, things began to shift. People began growing their own food, urban gardening became rampant, and nearly everything, from farms and schools, became decentralized. Even though Cuba is still a country with many problems, it’s average citizen now uses 1/8 the energy of an average American! I found the movie really inspiring and it made me realize change is possible — I think the key is that this change start occurring before crisis hits and there is no other solution.
Anyway, wow, I wrote way too much. Can’t wait to meet everyone!
Wow Zoe!! Welcome! I’m really looking forward to meeting you (and everyone else). And, you didn’t write too much — there’s no such thing at Midd, only how much can you write 😉
I agree with the overwhelming nature of the complexity you describe. Many moments during the course you’ll feel overwhelmed. But inside all of this, I hope to show you people that are working to make a difference, providing avenues for solutions, and this in very disparate fields of study and work. A truism is that cooperation and collaboration, to work collectively to build knowledge, is essential, so that the economist and the public health person and the teacher, for instance, all have to work together, along with the psychologist and the sociologist, and so on. That’s one answer; it has to be interdisciplinary.
For one, your experiences are extremely valuable. And for starters, you are each of you learning something about each other right here and right now using a piece of technology — that’s something. Just this action alone can be helpful if we then learn to apply this elsewhere. Thinking outside the box is essential. In many ways, then, one responsibility I have is to uneducate you to have you re-enter another paradigm for learning and being.
Also, I can tell you that you need to talk to Alex, in this class. She’s already doing “things” and she has more planned. And then there’s the college, too; it will help you. One of my students, an Afghan, is returning from Afghanistan as we speak after installing 9 water wells in Herat Province. This was supported by the Davis Peace Prize, which is in Middlebury and something you can apply for. This student replicated the work of another student of mine who did this first, 3 years ago. And this student, since, has built a school in Afghanistan! We can do this.
I look forward to meeting you and working with you!
/h
Hey Zoe, It’s awesome your parents are trying to live as self sustainably as possible. Last summer I volunteered on a farm in Ecuador that sounds really similar to what your parents want to do. The composting toilets were a little tough to get used to but in the long run they do the same job as flush toilets and with the proper ventilation they aren’t even that gross. Also, the movie about the Cuban oil crisis sounds interesting. In my hometown, when gas prices shot up last year lots of people stopped driving and rode their bikes, but then when gas prices dropped back down again they were back driving. This shows people can change but only if really forced to do so. I think this is one of the problems in America, we live such a comfortable life we never really NEED to change like the cuban people had to.
Best,
Cooper
Zoe, that’s so cool–I’ve never seen anything in person like what your parents plan to do. That side of the spectrum is uncommon, and it’s interesting that some people strive to live self-sustainably while others, like I see around here, have 10 TV’s in their house, drive 4 gas-guzzling cars, and produce tons of food waste. A “green” house like that is something I’ve always wanted to see.
And Cooper-I also lived in Ecuador (for a month) last summer. I also went to the Galapagos and camped there, where I learned how difficult it is to leave a place in the same condition as when you arrived. Every action, from brushing teeth to going to the bathroom to sleeping had to be altered in some way when I was there. It made me realize that if it was that difficult to keep my surroundings “pristine” on the Galapagos Islands, what kind of effect I must have on the environment at home in New Jersey, where I often am not that careful.
Cooper,
What kind of farm did you volunteer at? I spent two weeks in Guatemala one summer, and I was really shocked by the number of impoverished small farmers there were. Was it like that in Ecuador?
And I am glad to hear that a composting toilet can actually work! The one version my parents are thinking of using is super clean and you would barely know it wasn’t a regular toilet!
I know what you mean about people changing their lifestyles only when forced to do so. I just wish there was a way to make people realize that if we wait for that point for too long, (not to be so dramatic) too much damage may have been done.
Anyway, can’t wait to meet you!
It was just a small organic farm that was mostly fruits and vegetables… The farm I was on was relatively well off, but some of the neighboring farms were pretty sad. The livestock was on the verge of death (the horses were nothing more than a skeleton with skin stretched over it). I did find out from one of the Ecuadorian boys on the farm that they made 8 dollars a day, which seems like nothing considering how hard they worked.
Hey everyone! I am Alexandria Jackman but most people call me Alex or Ajax, I don’t prefer one over the other. I have lived in New York City for most of my life in a neighborhood called Washington Heights at the top of Manhattan. I have been involved/running a youth-led non-profit organization which holds service-learning trips to New Orleans with some of my friends for almost three years now. The trips began as a way to “work” in New Orleans post Katrina but to avoid being like other volunteers by having meaningful discussions about racism, classism, and other issues that play a role in the greater situation in New Orleans. While much of that remains true about the organization, it has transformed into, like I said before, service-learning trips in which we build political analysis and engage youth in urban farming and community organizing. So, in selecting my seminar, I couldn’t have picked anything that is more applicable to my life and what I am interested in. I am hoping that by the end of first semester I will gain a sharper analysis and more knowledge on the topic so that I can utilize it for my organizing.
Hey guys,
My name is Hig Roberts and I am from a small ski town in Colorado named Steamboat Springs, Ski Town USA! Being from a ski town in the secluded, enviornmentally pristine corner of northwest Colorado it is very easy for our town to be “green”. However, when I say easy, I mean as a community we have accepted a holistic view of the green revolution because of stringent town laws towards recycling, roundabouts as opposed to stoplights to save gas, littering, and building development. Afterall, Steamboat is a resort community with our number one revenue coming from tourism. If us locals are not taught to keep our community green by doing as much as we can, we will in turn end up suffering because of a lack of visual appeal in the eyes of our thousands of tourist visitors. However, it doesn’t take more than three hours to get to Denver, a city where as you are driving in off the foothills you witness a putrid yellow cloud of smog enclosing the Mile High City. This is the type of enviornment that permeates our world.
Although I am extremely proud to call myself an American, a diehard patriot, us Americans have egos of ignorance. We have enough on our plates: a war in Iraq, Afghanistan, unprecedented unemployment numbers, a crashing economy, oil shortages, and natural disasters. Worrying about the enviornment is too much and not even in the thoughts of the majority of Americans. However, while most Americans believe that the recession is the sole reason for their personal economic decline, they do not realize that the state of our enviornment is affecting our economy and in turn their pocketbooks. President Obama and many other figures have tried to assuage Americans that there is a direct link between the enviornment and the economy through the creation of more jobs, reduced energy costs, cultivation of natural resources in America instead of overseas, green government subsidies, and much more. The indifferent attitude of americans who think “green equals more money” is keeping the revolution in America no more important than the idiotic, radical Tea Party movements sweeping the country, if not less important. I saw an ad on TV the other night, comparing the cost of oil to that of wind energy in Colorado through the symbolism of Pike’s peak ( the second tallest mountain in Colorado). The cost of wind energy nearly reached the top of the peak while the cost of coal reached about 1/3 of the way up. There was no mention of the long term economic gain through wind energy or ANY reliable background information. If we continue to use this type of propoganda it will always be hard for Americans to live and breath a green way of life.
I choose to take this class because my sister is an enviornmental policy major at Colby and she has kept me interested and because my family has been very active in this area in Colorado.
Cheers,
Hig
Great Hig, really wonderful description and a kinda of analysis. Great to read. Now, this semester we’ll learn that the notion of nature or a place in nature as “pristine” is long gone. In fact, “ski resort” and “green” do not go automatically hand in hand, absolutely not. We begin the semester with McKibben and we end with him, too, and we’ll see how everything we experience in Nature is this: nature + the hand of humanity; there is therefore nothing that is pristine. How we’ll learn this or see this or experience this is simple: follow the $$$$$! And then, we follow who pays. Someone always pays — this is the knot we’re in.
Thank you for the very stimulating post!
/h
PS: one of your peer writing tutors is from your neck of the woods!
Mr. Vila,
I understand where you are coming from saying that ski resorts do not go hand in hand with “green”. I should have clarified but I was talking about the actual community of Steamboat as opposed to Steamboat ski resort which I do not believe is very green in any shape of the word. I was rather talking about the extensive recycling, solar panel, wind turbines, and traffic regulations you can find throughout the community that preach green. And how our city council is always bringing up green related regulations and some land development regulations, although those are starting to get less frequent.
Thanks,
Hig
Hi Hig,
I understand what you’re saying, truly. And thanks for the explanation about Steamboat – never been there so the differentiation between the community and the resort is essential. One of the questions we’ll ask in the course, then, is about the relationship between, say, “a resort” and the “community” next door: how do they co=exist? what’s the cost? But more significantly for what we’re getting at, is what’s the cost to other communities elsewhere? Our interconnections are extensive.
A good place to start, which is on the syllabus, if you want, is a very brief article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/business/global/01minerals.html?_r=2
This is the tip of the iceberg, actually. In all, as we’ll see when we get to a very dark reading, Empire of Illusion, we’re in a moment in our history that is very difficult. We’re not exactly sure what we’re doing. The only thing we know for sure, though, is that we have to reduce carbon to 350 and that every single environmental event — rain, snow, hurricanes, etc — are nature + man, not just Nature anymore. We’ll begin to learn why, right away, reading Emerson. In American culture, it begins there, at least intellectually and philosophically. You can draw a line from Emerson to us.
A pleasure, Hig. Looking forward to chatting with you!
/h
I thought I would also just add, as my family goes to ski resorts (mostly Vail) every year, that unfortunately most of the tourists who visit these places are oblivious to these next-door communities and their great efforts toward greener lifestyles. Yes, every year when I ski in Maine or out west, I see more and more progress by the resorts, even if it’s as small as switching to more energy-efficient lightbulbs, but it isn’t on nearly the same level as the surrounding towns. Therefore, I think it’s been difficult for these communities and ski resorts to coexist. Although I’m only talking about the smaller scale of a few towns in this post, the lack of attention these vacationing families pay to such an area’s environmental effects may represent how America as a whole chooses not to be too concerned with “green” as it is often associated with more costs and more trouble.
Hig,
I totally agree with you about how frustrating it is when the media portrays sustainable energy sources in a biased way. I have also seen a lot of things like the TV ad you talked about, and you are right, they needed much more background information. I think there are two things that people need to realize when they talk about the “costs” of wind energy vs. coal. First of all, wind energy and solar energy may require a greater initial investment than non-renewable fuel sources, but in the long run they pay off! Actually, such energy sources are a really good investment right now with the way businesses and homeowners are looking towards greener solutions. You were very right about how they neglected to mention the long-term economic gain. And secondly, such media attention like the TV ad you talked about doesn’t take into account the hidden costs of continual use of nonrenewable sources. When we talk about the price of gas or coal, we aren’t factoring in the environmental and health costs into that equation. My brother is studying environmental economics and he is always talking about how we aren’t “putting a price on the polar bear”. Basically, even if nonrenewable sources are cheaper at first, they will cost us eventually in devastating ways.
Great post! See you soon!
Hey everyone, I’m Nick from Summit, New Jersey, a smaller city about 20 miles west of New York City. I chose Class and the Environment as my first year seminar because I enjoyed the AP Environmental class I completed my senior year of high school. Although the class did not incorporate capitalism too much, it certainly made me interested in studying environmental science. I’m excited to study the association this subject has with class and the economy.
As for Professor Vila’s question, I believe that the complexity of issues that arise from energy and jobs, and “going green” in general, is limiting public attention towards Obama’s vision. Despite the current unemployment rate, perhaps people are nervous about the creation of new, renewable energy jobs because it will inevitably replace some “old” energy jobs. If we’re really going to be more environmentally friendly as a country and change energy sources, what will happen to employees at conventional power plants? I’m sure the amount of new jobs that Obama hopes to make available will outweigh these current jobs, but perhaps America isn’t ready for such a change. In terms of the effects on the environment, isn’t it easier for many people to keep their current lifestyles? I don’t think the issue with the public has to do with apathy as much as it does with hesitance to change. Complexity and the potential effects of putting these energy/jobs plans into action may deter Americans from what could be a successful vision of Obama’s.
Nicholas, great ideas — but can we afford NOT to be ready? I think that you, and the others so far, are beginning to hit the surface of things. We’re going to see the complexity of the interconnections that exist between our lives and the lives of others. These are very difficult issues, but raised well.
Excellent point Nick! Apathy if anything,I believe stems from the complexity of converting to a “green friendly” society, due to our complete dependence on nonrenewable resources. 83.4% was the percentage of energy the US consumed that was nonrenewable for 2008. This means that whatever Obama’s vision was would have to in longterm substitute 4 out of 5 of US energy. This also signifies that 80% of the people involved in energy generation and consumption would need to be either laid off or put into a new field involving energy, during a time where the US is already in a recession. It seems like the American public is a dog both tired and hungry, attempts to claw at a steak on the other side of a gate , but eventually returns to its doghouse to settle for some puppy chow and falls asleep. (Forgive me for the terrible analogy)
However, to reiterate Professor Villa point, that same 83% of energy is being generated in urban areas, the same zones probably struck with immense poverty and horrific air/water quality. It’s sad to say that when you and I play that Guitar Hero 3 inside our nice suburban homes with the air conditioning on high, west or north of New York City, we are probably indirectly responsible for two or three South Bronx residents developing asthma and other lung conditions. However complex the issue is, what’s needed is for Obama to develop a plan with minimal effect on current American lifestyles, but to a public that is fully aware of the effects.
I think that the issue with the public has to do with both apathy and hesitancy. You’re right, Nick, that few people are eager to change their current lifestyles, especially if they are personally flourishing. For example, I don’t think that many people with “old energy” jobs would be too enthusiastic about changing their life’s work if they were already making money, supporting their family, etc. But this hesitancy/unwillingness to change, I think, is also directly related to the public’s apathy, the “look out for yourself” attitude. A lot of people still wouldn’t change their habits/jobs even if they were possibly environmentally hurting another area of the world. For Obama’s vision to be achieved, I think that he to find a way to make the American public more aware of the consequences of their actions, and also, as Frederic said, find a way for change to occur without impacting the publics’ lives too much.
Hi everyone, my name’s Cooper and I’m from Santa Cruz California, a beach town about 80 miles south of San Francisco. When I was looking through the first year seminars this class stood out to me because it’s very similar to a class my sister took at Lewis and Clark college (I think it was called Environmental Sociology instead of Class and the Environment but it was very similar) last year that I was lucky enough to sit in on . Even though I was completely lost most of the time it was one of the most interesting hours of my life. That experience coupled with the fact that preserving the earth’s environment is one of the most pressing issues that our generation has to deal with made me want to take this class.
In response to Professor Vila’s question, I think apathy and inability to adapt are the reasons why the American public don’t seem too concerned about the environment. I believe people are apathetic because the majority of Americans haven’t witnessed what’s happening firsthand. Unless you live in a flood area or have experienced inordinate amounts of wildfires like Southern California there might not be any evidence in your daily life that makes you stop and say “wow there’s a major problem here”. I’m not really sure what it will take for everyone to accept the idea, but it seems like there has to be a tipping point where things get so bad there’s no choice but to accept it.
People are slow to adapt to a”greener” lifestyle because generally being green takes more effort than just continuing life as usual. For example it’s easier to use store provided plastic bags than to remember to bring your own. It’s easier to toss everything into one bin than to separate things into recycling and trash. It’s easier to drive than bike or walk. It’s easier to dismiss global warming as some radical lie than to face the reality and change your lifestyle.
Can’t wait to meet all of you in a few weeks!
Cooper, thanks for the response, your welcome and your comments. It’s not always easy being “the first one,” so I’m glad that you started the ball rolling.
I think it’s true that in American culture we seem not to react unless it’s in our backyard. One of the things we’ll be doing this term is expanding on the notion of the “backyard” — how far does it go? More importantly, who lives there? The material on squatters is important for this – why are we not learning from them?
In all, we’ll be discussing what “green” means, which is something much bigger than windmills, the Prius and recycling, which I’m sure you’ll agree. We’ll be wondering, then, what can green mean to us all — here, in Asia, Africa, the East, and so on. To get to these questions and concerns, the most difficult challenge of the course is to actually come to terms with how each one of us lives — is it acceptable? is it too much? what do we need?
Inevitably, we get into what a “good life” may mean. Lastly, congratulations — you have material, in your post, that can serve you nicely in your first writing in the course. We want to recycle what we write, too, and we want to see how we can create a sustainable intellectual environment, otherwise, it’s all for nothing.
So, welcome and, again, Thank YOU! /h
Cooper, I also want to thank you for your welcome. It was very well written and I agree with you one hundred percent about apathy and not being able to adapt being reasons behind America not caring about the environment.
I think many Americans are apathetic toward environmental issues because they have the privilege to do so. George Naylor, a soybean farmer from Iowa and in the movie “Fresh”, sums it up well–“The only thing Americans fear is inconvenience.” Like both Cooper and Hector have said, if it is not directly affecting an individual or an issue in their “backyard,” why should they care? Because of their privilege, the individuals who are seemingly unaffected by environmental injustices can live their lives without thinking twice about these issues. Yet, there are many people in this world (and even in this country) who are affected by environmental injustices everyday. For example, if you live in the South Bronx, New York and are surrounded by sanitation dumps and perhaps you and many members of your family have asthma (asthma rates in the South Bronx are the highest in the country–seven times the national average) then it is not so simple as turning your head and ignoring these issues. At the same rate, many of these individuals who are vulnerable to environmental injustices also seem apathetic to these issues and have accepted it as “the way things are.” In my opinion, this is one of the additional reasons Americans are not working toward fighting for our environment. The issues seem too large, too intertwined, too engrained in the workings of our society, so that the concept of fighting them or creating alternatives in which democracy is put before capitalism, seem too far fetched.
That’s all for now,
Best
Alex
Hi Alex,
Thank for your response. A couple of questions: where are you from? and why this class? Good, passionate post, though, getting at some of the issues we’ll hit this semester.