It's true that many environmental issues aren't immediately noticeable as we go about out daily lives. However this week our discussion turns to something that consumes our attention two, three, or more times a day - the food we eat. Food and the environment are inextricably connected, and we will be answering two important questions pertaining to our thoughts on this connection:
1. What, exactly, goes through our heads when we make food choices at a market or restaurant? Do we have environmental considerations in mind when we are deciding what we are going to eat? Or do we think about other stuff?
2. We will take a few moments to consider everything we've eaten in the last day or two. Of the food or beverage items we've consumed, which, in our estimation, has had the greatest environmental impact? Why?
This is a fascinating topic and one that guarantees there will be a wide variety of opinions, answers, and lifestyle choices. Like always, click "comments" to see the discussion!
Quote of the week:
"Your descendants shall gather your fruits."
- Virgil
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Week 4: A Futuristic District
This week our discussion will take a turn to the creative side, as we discuss our visions of a future Washington, DC. We will be envisioning the District in 200 years time, in two different ways. First, we will describe how we think the District would look if few changes are made in the way our society functions. Then we will incorporate our hopes, visions, and dreams for what the District might look like if we were to change some of our less beneficial practices.
While much of this vision will be based on our in-class discussions, please feel free to join in and share your opinion regardless of whether you were there. Consider issues such as energy, food, water, transportation, and housing. Click "comments" to join the discussion!
Quote of the week:
"Because we don't think about future generations, they will never forget us."
- Henrik Tikkanen
While much of this vision will be based on our in-class discussions, please feel free to join in and share your opinion regardless of whether you were there. Consider issues such as energy, food, water, transportation, and housing. Click "comments" to join the discussion!
Quote of the week:
"Because we don't think about future generations, they will never forget us."
- Henrik Tikkanen
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Week 3: It Ain't Easy Being Green
This week's regularly scheduled discussion will focus on this article by Michael Maniates.
Maniates offers a unique perspective on consumption, appropriate for the day it was printed: Thanksgiving 2007. We will sharing our opinions on Maniates' argument, particularly focusing on the way his views compare and contrast to the mainstream environmental movement. This is way more exciting than whatever is on your TV, so go ahead and click "comments" to see the discussion!
Quote of the week:
"We never know the worth of water till the well is dry."
- Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732
Maniates offers a unique perspective on consumption, appropriate for the day it was printed: Thanksgiving 2007. We will sharing our opinions on Maniates' argument, particularly focusing on the way his views compare and contrast to the mainstream environmental movement. This is way more exciting than whatever is on your TV, so go ahead and click "comments" to see the discussion!
Quote of the week:
"We never know the worth of water till the well is dry."
- Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732
Comparing Future Visions (Blog Group Presentation)
In addition to our weekly topic, this week we will also be discussing a selection from the book Wild Earth: Wild Ideas for a World Out of Balance by Tom Butler. Click "comments" to see the discussion!
Full citation:
Tom Butler, ed., Wild Earth: Wild Ideas for a World Out of Balance, (Minneapolis, MN: Milkweed, 2002) pp 131-141.
Full citation:
Tom Butler, ed., Wild Earth: Wild Ideas for a World Out of Balance, (Minneapolis, MN: Milkweed, 2002) pp 131-141.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Week 2: The Debate of Stuff
This week we are discussing Annie Leonard's film The Story of Stuff. The short film can be viewed here.
Like anything dealing with such a heavy topic as our nation's consumption habits, the film has sparked spirited debate. Read some of the debate here, here, and here to get some background info on our discussion this week.
Even if this is not your class assignment, please feel free to join in. We like our discussion like our food - organic. Click "comments" to see (or join) the discussion!
Quote of the week:
"It wasn't the Exxon Valdez captain's driving that caused the Alaskan oil spill. It was yours."
- Greenpeace Advertisement in the New York Times, February 25, 1990
Like anything dealing with such a heavy topic as our nation's consumption habits, the film has sparked spirited debate. Read some of the debate here, here, and here to get some background info on our discussion this week.
Even if this is not your class assignment, please feel free to join in. We like our discussion like our food - organic. Click "comments" to see (or join) the discussion!
Quote of the week:
"It wasn't the Exxon Valdez captain's driving that caused the Alaskan oil spill. It was yours."
- Greenpeace Advertisement in the New York Times, February 25, 1990
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Week 1: Introductions and "I Pollute, Therefore I Am"
This week we are introducing ourselves and discussing the article "I Pollute, Therefore I Am" by Dr. Stanley Fish which can be found here. Click "comments" to see the discussion!
Quote of the week:
"Only when the last tree has been cut down,
Only when the last river has been poisoned,
Only when the last fish has been caught,
Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten."
- Cree Prophecy
Quote of the week:
"Only when the last tree has been cut down,
Only when the last river has been poisoned,
Only when the last fish has been caught,
Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten."
- Cree Prophecy
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