woops, already behind schedule. (Post 2)

After writing the first blog today, I noticed that I am supposed to have the second blog done today, the first one last week. It's always great to start behind. (kidding).

Today, we went on our first field trip that took place on campus. I found this walk thru the trail amusing simply because I had no clue the trail existed.  Our campus is known for being (or thought of being) eco-friendly and supports eco-empowerment. Overall, I see our campus rising above most universities in this general area. Now, obviously the campus has its own problems like being erected on environmentalists' 'holy' ground.  However, my thought is this land would have been used for something else if not a university.  I found it interesting that there has been thought in the construction of the campus to keep it eco-friendly. For example, the simple idea of putting a tunnel in the ground to support animals crossing the road without getting killed is a simple yet great idea to help sustain the animals that live around the area.  There are inconsistencies that go along with the consistencies. The bridge brought from Brazil? or another foreign land I can't remember is not the most eco-friendly.  It would have taken a lot of oil in production and shipping to bring it to SWFL.  Now, the bridge is supposed to last 10 years which could be interpreted in less energy because it will last longer. The campus is also supporting endangered birds on their migration path. Hopefully the endangered bird wont be eaten by the campus cat (inconsistency).

I find it really interesting and cool that our campus is creating sustainable gardens and fruit trees for students. This is a stride towards eco-empowerment. Generally speaking, I don't think the student population cares very much about the universities efforts towards sustainability. With my northern roots, I tend to take the standpoint that sustainability is necessary for community growth. The idea of using FGCU as a community who plant gardens and fruit trees gives me hope for sustainability in an area that I don't see much community involvement. Even if the university falls thru on some areas of eco-empowerment I still see it making efforts.  No school will be able to have a completely eco-friendly campus. Anytime humans are involved in mass quantities the term eco-friendly is almost an oxymoron.  I don't believe the term is entirely incompatible with our university but, I could see how one may think that way. 

Until next time,
Annie

Interested..Yes. Hopeful.. No. (Post 1)

Welcome to my University Colloquium blog. Today marks the second class and the first field trip. 

Before coming into this class I thought colloquium was learning about the environment of SWFL (not at all inciting to me). Now, I'm not sure what it all entails.  I guess I expect to learn more about the environment and gain knowledgeable about sustainability and how to become sustained (if it's even possible anymore). I expect to enjoy this class due to my natural interest (and cynicism) on our governments motives and attempts of sustainability. It intrigues me to see how other countries try to sustain themselves too.  Do I think we need to find ways to be a more sustained nation? Yes, our dependence on oil looks awfully scary to me currently but, I don't trust our government to take care of our sustainable problems. If anything this class will express even more the problem we are creating and the hole our nation has dug. Either way, I am interested to learn more about it. 

Considering this class has to do with sustainability, it is a good idea to have an understanding of the word. My personal understanding of sustainability is the idea to survive without dependence on outside sources (other then the nature). This could be completely false but, when I think of sustainability its having a garden, growing own fruits and foods, suppling needs, working as a community to benefit one another without the interference of government. (can you tell yet I don't like big government?) Sustainability is looking into the future and turning around the poor choices we have made on our environment in history.

The great part about taking this required course is I will actually be teaching these ideas in the future. As a secondary education major I could teach geography, american history, economy, government. All these fields will incorporate sustainability. Early western civilization is all about how humans became sustainable. This could partially be a factor to why I think this class will be enjoyable. It fascinates me to learn what humans have done and will do for survival.  

Now, I would be a huge hypocrite if I didn't give a disclaimer for my lack of personal sustainability efforts. As noted before, I believe we are in a crisis for sustainability that can not be fixed. We can each individually make efforts to live with the mindset to not have access waste but, the damage has already been done and the government/economic ties are tightly wound around this issue. This is why I am interested in this topic but not necessarily moved to make drastic change. I still use plastic bottles, take showers that are longer then three minutes, leave lights on occasionally, drive, fly, buy un-necessary items, only recyclable if its easily available, buy fruits and veggies from other countries at supermarkets, and the list goes on. Maybe this class will push me and motivate me to change my lifestyle and to become an activist for sustainability. This blog can only tell.

Until next time. 

Annie