Journal 4- The Flint River Issue and the Caloosahatchee River

  

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What is happening in Flint, Michigan? Well, the answer is simple and has to do with water contamination. According to Logan Anderson, a writer for a Hilary Clinton news website, he stated, “for the last two years, the city of 99,000 has repeatedly experienced water crises and recently, residents discovered that their water contains unsafe amounts of lead—900 times the EPA maximum.” The outbreak of lead poisoning in the city had led to many children and adults being greatly affected. (Anderson, 2016)

But how did this happen? The Flint River is not the cleanest river out there, but is quite filthy. Many residents receive their water from the river, since 2014, which was a color of orange, brownish, and consisted of an unpleasant smell and taste when being drunk. Even with the increase of concern from the residents, many local officials decided to continue to use the river as a water source. The pipes that connected to many homes were made out of lead, which  made matters worse. Even though the source of water has changed since then, the damage is done and many people sick. Boiling water did not help either. (Barnes, 2016)

To make matters even worse, not only are the Flint residents are at risk, but also other civilians. The Apalachicola River, which is over one hundred feet long in Florida, is union together with both the Flint and Chattahoochee (in the south) rivers and goes to the Gulf of Mexico. This puts Floridians at risk for water contamination, as well as, Alabama and Georgia because of the emergence of both rivers being joined together and Flint River being affected.

 

 

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I believe that the Flint water crisis is something that should be taken very seriously. Even though the city has had water crisis break out in the past, with the advancement of technology, there should not be a continuous cycle of water contaminating in the city. This event reminds me of the early 1800’s cholera epidemic that swipe the continent of Europe. However, many efforts has been put in effect to decrease the risk and spread of water contamination in Flint, Michigan, as well as, provide clean water and medical care for Flint residents and the individuals affected by the water crisis. Many people, including famous celebrities, from other cities and states have donated hundreds and thousands of bottle water from their local state/city to give to the Flint residents. Many of the residents also began helping one another through this crisis. Some have donated bottles of water from other cities to their neighbors, other have stepped up to become one of a team of specialists to help with water testing. According to the ClickonDetroit news, Orchards Children’s Services and Flint YMCA’s Safe Places Program has hired and trained fifty Flint residents this month (February) to assist with water testing across the city. With the hiring of new people, there would be a greater chance of accurate research that could decrease and stop the risk of water contamination in the city of Flint, Michigan and keep everyone safe from any water crises. (ClickonDetroit, 2016)

 

Anderson, L. (2016, January 16). “What’s happening with the water in Flint, Michigan, is an outrage.” Hilary Clinton. https://www.hillaryclinton.com/feed/whats-happening-water-flint-michigan-outrage/

Barnes, B. (2016, February 12). “Flint Water Crisis: How Did This Happen?” The Stroud Courier: The East Stroudsburg University Student Newspaper. http://thestroudcourier.com/2016/02/12/flint-water-crisis/

Local 4 - ClickOnDetroit news staff. (2016, February 08). “Flint residents will be hired to help with water testing.” ClickOnDetroit. http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/flint-water-crisis/flint-residents-will-be-hired-to-help-with-water-testing

Journal 2 - Louv/Nature Deficit Disorder and Orr's Biophilia Revolution

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     Who knew nature played a huge part in how our brain thinks and functions? “Nature-Deficit Disorder and the Restorative Environment” is an excerpt from Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods, which discusses the connection between nature and the human brain. In the excerpt, Louv provides statistics, evidence, and his personal opinions on the matter that ends up being quite interesting for myself. Louv believes that “the concept – or hypothesis – of nature-deficit disorder is appropriate and useful as a layperson’s description of one factor that may aggravate additional difficulties for many children” (Louv 2). There have been many studies that show the positive effect of nature on people, especially children, who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), “even replacing medications or behavioral therapies” (Louv 2). No wonder why they say, “the best way to free your mind is outdoors.”

     What is biophilia? What is biophobia? What does this have to do with me? Before taking this colloquium class, I never heard any of these two words before. “Love it or Lose It: The Coming Biophilia Revolution” is a short excerpt from the book, Earth in Mind: On Education Environment, and the Human Prospect by David W. Orr. In this excerpt, Orr discusses the topics of biophobia and biophilia. Biphobia is the “culturally acquired urge to affiliate with technology, human artifacts, and solely with human interests regarding the natural world” (Orr 187). Biophobia can “range from discomfort in ‘natural’ places to active scorn for whatever is not manmade, managed, or air-conditioned” (Orr 186-187). Biophilia, however, is defined as, “the urge to affiliate with other forms of life” and “the passionate love of life and of all that is alive” (Orr 187).

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     Sense of place is the way a person sees, experience, and responds to the surrounding environment and landscape. I can connect my sense of place to both of the readings by Richard Louv and David Orr. Both of the readings have something in common, which is how nature can affect one’s well-being and mindset. Richard Louv’s excerpt shows me how not getting out more can cause more harm than good. The reading teaches me that nature can be a “natural Ritalin” (Louv 7) and that can keep my brain active and calm at the same time, something that is probably, also, needed for my future children. David Orr’s excerpt also influenced my sense of place because I do not want to become a biophobic. Biophobic usually happens with individuals who were raised around televisions, video games, and radios, as well as, malls, freeways, and in an urban setting, which describes myself (Orr 186). I want to become more biophilic and in tune with nature altogether. Overall, nature has a big impact on humans more than we think. Not only does nature provide me with utilities and resources, nature opens my mind and actually makes my brain stronger and more active. My sense of place with nature has changed after exploring these two readings. 

Journal 1 - Introduction, My Preconceptions and Sense of Place

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     Before taking this class, I knew there was a lot of destruction to the environment in which we live in. Nevertheless, I did not care as much as I should. I did not care about saving the trees and plants, the animals, or even the world. All I care about was “as long as I am alive and doing well, nature will be okay for the most part.” I, also, believe I was one of those people who was doing my harm than good and was not batting an eye about the wrong I was doing to Mother Nature. However, I do believe it is time for me to change my way of thinking. 

     As more and more tress were being cropped down and burned to make every day utilities, animals losing their homes, in replace of homes for human beings, and global warning and pollution being at an all-time high and steadily increasing, I knew my “I don’t care about the environment” attitude needed to stop. How can I harm something so beautiful and that is essential for me to live and thrive? Now, it is my time to do right and save the world, even if it takes only me to do “the work of a thousand.”

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     From this colloquium class, I plan on learning more about nature and how I can preserve the environment, before it is too late. I hope to become a humanitarian and a, somewhat, “save the trees” activist by the end of this class. I believe my sense of place, my response to the environment, will change and I will be able to stop the destruction to a place I call home. This class will teach me the fundamentals of the world we live in and how I can positively contribute, and influence many others to do the same. I plan to see my broad perception of the world change and have more of an “ecological perception.” I plan to see my own self become a positive aspect to nature. In addition, I want to raise awareness on environmental issues of the world, with Southwest Florida being first.