| Gaia Journal | |
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March 29th |
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Gaia? What is Gaia? I must admit I really never gave it much though outside the need to recycle. I think this class will be interesting. I think I will be learning some valuable Information along the way. One thing that has made an immediate impression on me is that we are already in a critical stage with our environment. It is unbelievable the damage we humans make in such a short amount of time. What is more unbelievable is the relative obscurity of this topic. You would think that the media and scientists would be try to bring about much more awareness of the environmental crisis we are in. |
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April 22nd |
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Today is Earth Day. Just a few days before our trip to the Morton Arboretum. I am looking forward to it. In the paper today I read about the ecological footprint we leave behind. I guess no one really takes time out to think about it. One of the great things about this course is not only am I aware of my surroundings, but I am committed, albeit in a small way, to make a difference. I will begin to recycle at home. I will also make it a point to vote for the most ecological friendly candidate in upcoming elections. |
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April 23rd |
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Only in this Orwellian world does something called the “Clean Air Act” give license for companies to pollute the air we breathe. An article in the Washington Post talks about a congressional panel that concluded a 2 year study on a Clean Are Act called the New Source Review. They have concluded that pollution is not getting better. Rather, it is getting worse. An EPA administrator is quoted as saying it was unrealistic to expect changes within 10 years without huge economic effects(read: less corporate profits). At this pace, things will never change. |
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April 26th |
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Today we went to the Morton Arboretum. I found it very interesting and fun. I think that it is always nice to take to step back and notice the beauty around you. One thing is for sure, I will never go into a lake ever again! I couldn’t believe the sheer number of insects that lives right on the edge of the pond. Seeing this through a microscope really made an impression on me. My favorite part of the day was when we stopped in the prairie ecosystem. There were many pretty plants along the way. I need to start thinking about my final project! |
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May 6th |
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| Read an interesting article today. It seems Bush would stop at nothing to make sure that if he can’t get his way with ANWR, he at least takes a piece of the Alaskan geography. It looks as if there is interest drilling in the Beaufort Sea and Bush is interested in lifting the moratoria set in the Reagan administration. This can potentially be a disastrous situation if something goes wrong. However, in the society we live in today, what’s a few whales and polar bears in the face of corporate profits | |
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May 9th |
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This is my last journal entry for this course. This means that I am almost done(yea!). However, I haven’t the foggiest idea of what I am going to for my final project. I am torn between creating a website and writing a paper. Either one would not be that difficult for me. Nature is amazing! It is wonderful to see the flowers and trees blossoming. In my neighborhood all of the tree branches have sprouted the leaves. A month ago, they were all completely bare. I spoke with my wife last Saturday about taking her and the kids to the arboretum. I think it will be a lot of fun to enjoy a quiet and peaceful walk. |
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