The End- Post Katrina Film

The Film

The last class really compiled all of the information we have learned throughout into one final lesson in environmental sociology. The film encompassed many of the aspects of the course and provided the class with a good real life depiction of environmental issues. First, the film encompassed aspects of disaster vulnerability and showed how some minority groups are more likely to face certain hazards then others. Environmental inequalities were seen throughout New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, whereby the poor and visible minorities were denied access to certain human rights, and stereotyped in a negative light throughout the media. The film also showed many of the changes occurring to the climate due to global warming, and the possibility of increased storms and weather hazards. The communities in New Orleans have become progressively combined and are moving towards equal actions and the proper rebuilding of the ninth ward. These collective actions have been taken at the local, state and national levels with the hope of getting equal treatments. Finally the film showed a variety of perspective on the post ninth ward in New Orleans. Some believed that it should become a luxury location in the south; others believe that no new houses should be built at all, and others have developed post hurricane houses that are built to withstand weather conditions. New Orleans is an example of some of the debates around environmental sustainability, and what can be changed to withstand present environmental changes. Many of the suggestions are positive, but some exclude a large portion of the community, and bring unwanted onlookers to residential neighbourhood.

Question: Tourism- New Orleans

New Orleans has always been known for its high quality tourist industry, but post- Katrina many sectors took a blow. Do you think it is positive for the local community and tourist to visit the ninth ward to see the Pitt Homes? Or do you think this is having negative affects? What do you think the tourists are taking away from this experience? And do you think Volun-tourism in New Orleans or any where is positive or negative? Is it better than ecotourism?

First Nations Struggles

The Presentation

On Thursday we heard from Randall and Meagan about the environmental struggles occurring between First Nations groups and other populations. The article presented a specific case study on the disputes in Grassy Narrows and the guest speaker Alex developed some of the ideas in the article, but mainly gave his first person perspective on the issues. As an activist Alex was able to go into detail about some of the disputes occurring as he has participated in many of the protests. I thought the presentation was very good, and it was powerful to hear all of Alex's experiences with the First Nations struggles.

Relationships

Alex discussed the intimate relationship that many First Nations people have with nature. He went on to say how difficult it was for him to wrap his head around, the idea of the trees being their mothers, etc. I think this really relates to our ingrained nature to see ourselves as separate from nature rather than in a relationship with nature. Alex discussed how many of the children in Grassy Narrows are growing more apart from nature, and this appears to be somewhat problematic as a culture and lifestyle is on the brink of extinction. I think that the relationship between First Nations and nature could be adopted by other population. Rather than seeing themselves so literally with nature it would be a step forward if we took responsibility over nature. Rather than seeing ourselves apart, we should view ourselves in an interconnected relationship whereby the actions we take can have profound effects on nature. The ideas of First Nations can be adopted to help create more environmental awareness. But at the same time, their traditions cannot be sacrificed for our mere consumption of resources. There needs to be a happy medium, but it is difficult to forecast whether this will happen anytime soon.

The Global South- Water Wars

The Presentation

Thursday's presentation discussed some of the environmental issues occurring in the Global South, and how these issues are intricately related to human rights issues. The focus of the presentation was on The Water Wars occurring throughout such countries as Bolivia, India, and South Africa. Privatization of water is clearly problematic, as it is a basic human need, and unethically to limit individual access. It became obvious in the presentation that the Global South has a closer relationship to nature than the North. The Global South sees them as apart of nature rather than separate. The natural resources in the environment play a specific role in their lives, without these resources their livelihood, and survival could be sacrificed. Other issues occurring in The Global South include the cultivation of land for coffee, lumber, banana's and roses.

Water Wars- Is Bottled Water Really Necessary?
During the film Flow we saw many of the issues associated with the privatization of water and the obsession with 'safe' drinking water (commonly in bottled form). A segment of the film was cut out and it demonstrated the problematic nature of bottling water and how limited the regulations are on bottled water. Penn and Teller have a short segment where they dive into the bottled water industry and administer their own experiment- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfPAjUvvnIc&feature=related. Bottled water has become second nature to many people in the Western world. But, this second nature approach reinforces our taken for granted perceptions on water. The North American relationship with water demonstrates our separateness from nature; water is seen as a commodity that will never disappear. Rather than commodifying water and taking it for granted we need to take action to ensure that future generations have efficient and safe water.

Question: Some institutions are taking action against bottled water companies by banning their sales within the area. Do you think people would be more willing to bring reusable water containers if the sale of bottled water was banned from institutions? What other changes would need to be made to ensure that water bottle consumption is lowered?

Climate Change

The Presentation

On Thursday Jessilyn and Laura did their presentation on the issue of climate change. They specifically address the issues of the Arctic meltdown, and how it will affect the politics, economics and society. They also address the external issues related to Arctic meltdown, including such things as the warming ocean, the pine beetle, and the severe alteration of the arctic biome ecosystem. The film- An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore was a good summary of the changes that may occur, and the reasons for global warming, however the film was generally an American perceptive on the issue, and promoted North American changes and causes. I think it is important to remember that global warming is not a local issue it is a global issue, and needs to be examined broadly rather than narrowly. Different people and places will be affected differently by global warming; the changes and repercussions will not be the same across time and space.

Inequality and Climate Change

I think the two notions go hand and hand, and if we don't at them as interconnected when developing solutions negative impacts and limited progress will arise. The chapter in the text suggests that inequality cannot be separated from issues of climate change. Climate change is address at the local level, the national level and the global level, but rarely at the level of inequality. The suggestions for change are as said and good, but not all countries and people have the ability to abide by these changes. Technology is increasingly a part of the changes made to promote environmental sustainability. But technology is costly, and not available to all people. Resources and the environment in the global south are intricately related to their subsidence and livelihood. The cutting of lumber, consumption of water, and cultivation of land play an integral role in their livelihood. But with increasing down flows of pollution, privatization and regulations they are unable to meet their survival needs. It is important to recognize that the regulations imposed by climate change need to be different in terms of time and space, each local community will have to implement their own regulations, as not all have the equal ability to abide by global regulations.

Diaster Vulnerablity- Selective... ?

The Presentation
Thursday's presentation on disaster vulnerability focused on the issues arising out of 2005's hurricane Katrina. The presenters discussed a variety of aspects related to disaster vulnerability, and input they’re first hand experience with the communities in New Orleans. I really enjoyed hearing about the first hand experiences and I thought it helped put the disaster into perspective. The first hand accounts made the event that much more real, and it really showed how passionate they were about the topic.

Disaster Selectivity?
The article, presentation and text all discussed the notion of disaster vulnerability. Those who were seen as more vulnerable were commonly of lower socio-economic status, or groups of racialized minorities. But, I don't think natural disasters are selective in their victims and I think some groups are disproportionately placed in areas with high frequency of natural disasters. The film touched on this when it showed how some areas of New Orleans (higher land) were not hit hard by the hurricane, and the fact that the French once settled these areas. Those of a lower social class or racialized minority were put on the lower plots of land, knowingly that if disaster strikes they would be hit first and hardest. Although this is very true in many cases, it is also true that some disasters are unavoidable, and even powerful, wealthy people are hit with the grave tragedy. Wildfires often spread through California, not selectively burning one house over the next, rather as destruction rages everyone from an average Joe to a Hollywood celebrity home comes in contact with the flame. Here it is obvious that some are not more vulnerable than others, and what it truly comes down to is the fact that natural disaster have existed for million's of years, and what makes them hazards is the mere presence of humans. If no one is around to experience the natural occurrence, than it remains just that, but when humans become involved it becomes a hazard, something dangerous with a negative connotation.

Question:
As the population begins to expand and we consume more land with continually decided to live in areas that are environmentally unstable, due to natural events. Do you think there should be restrictions on where we live to safe ourselves from coming in contact with some of these natural events (Mudslides, wildfires, below sea level areas)? What things can be done to keep people in these areas safe? (Risk management strategies).

Close to Home: From Farms to Factories

The presentation on Thursday by Kelly and Kira hit close to home, and also impacted me later in the day. When I got home I had planned on having lamb for dinner, but after seeing the conditions in factory farm facilities I was turned off of meat. The factory meat industry is not unfamiliar with me, as I have worked in a meat processing and packaging plant for the past two summers. Also my father has worked for a popular meat company for many years, helping in the creation of new products. In all the years my family has been influenced by meat I hardly considered the primary stage of farming the animals. Last summer while working at the factory I began to wonder where all the animals came from, and later found out that they were shipped in from all over Canada. By keeping the animals and their conditions out of site I think myself and other workers were disconnected from the fact that this 'meat' was once a living being.

Question: When you decided to buy meat from the grocery store, or eat it at a restaurant or street vendor do you ever consider where those animals are coming from? Or do you feel disconnected from the animal? Are the animals we eat just merely consumer products?

I think the article did a good job at deciphering the content of factory farms marketing schemes. I think it is interesting that companies will give life to their animals, and make them speak as a way to market them towards consumers. I think it is even more interesting that people buy into this deception. If the corporations were to market the products showing the real treatment of animals they would most likely go out of business. However I think many people know about the unequal treatment of animals and they continue to buy into the products. It is similar in the way that everyone knows that it is a mystery what goes into Hot Dogs but millions of people continue buy them. I think in an ideal world we could purchase meat products knowing what treatment goes into farming the animals, but we live in a capitalist world where people don’t have enough time to research what goes into their product. If buying family farm meat became popular the prices would skyrocket and only a select few could afford it; similar to organic vegetables and fruit. Now that organic is the way to go the prices have been raised and only middle class individuals can afford the luxury of a healthy life.

Environmental Health- Dandelion's and Heat

Susan Koswan's presentation on her battle to ban cosmetic pesticide use was very interesting and motivating. I think Susan's determination and patience really helped her reach her goal, and I really appreciated the handout on different strategies. The video Susan showed was very powerful and I too think it would be interesting to note how the children in the valley developed later in life, and whether the children in the foothills were significantly more developed. The topics in the presentation tied in very nicely to the information in the text. It was an opportunity to see how someone had been affected first hand by environmentally hazardous material. Finally I really appreciated that Susan gave us suggestions for what we can do with Dandelion's; it shows that there are more uses for things that we have historically considered waste, or ascetically displeasing.

Question
Does anyone know why so many individuals have become obsessed about the visual appearance of their lawns? I remember when I was little some of my neighbours would yell if you stepped a foot on their lawn. Since when have our lawns become such a defining feature?

Heat
The text and the presentation discuss the impacts of global warming and the overwhelming cases of heat related deaths. I agree that those who do not have equal access to air conditioning, cool areas, and live in urban centres are more likely to suffer from extreme heat exposure. Populations who have unequal access to health care are also more likely to suffer. This is obviously not just an environmental issue, but it is intrinsically related to health care. If marginal populations had sufficient health care, death rates due to global warming could be decreased. The environment, social justice, and health care are all related to the unequal rates of death due to climate change. I think many ideas, systems and policies need to be reworked so we decrease the number of deaths due to global warming. Furthermore, those at risk need to be considered and further actions need to be implemented to reduce health inequalities.