Plan B Chp. 10 & Earth Charter

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In chapter 10 of Plan B, Brown discusses the necessary means of mobilization if we want to save our civilization. He believes that we need to basically take on wartime urgency and that it is our only hope. He states that every country should have a population stabilization policy because we live on a finite planet, and we are pushing the earth beyond its limits (Brown 243). I do agree with Brown in this area. There are way too many people in the world and we cannot continue to provide for the growing population, especially when we do not provide for all the people we have now. There are many families that have way too many children, most of which cannot even provide for all of them. I believe that there should be a 2 to 3 child limit. Having more than that is excessive and we cannot support that many people with today’s life expectancy. 

 

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  The Earth Charter is similar to Plan B in that it starts out stating that we are at a critical point in earth’s history where we have to choose our future. The Earth Charter hopes to affirm and come together on four basic principles for a sustainable way of life for everyone. The first principle presented is respect and care for the community of life. This includes respecting earth and life in all its biodiversity, caring for the community of life, building just democratic societies, and securing earth for future generations. This whole principle directly relates to Shiva’s piece on biodiversity. Shiva believed that even the smallest microbe “plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological processes that create the conditions of life for all species, including, of course, our own” (Shiva 41). She believed in the value of the whole community of species and the biodiversity it has. She stressed that biodiversity and all life has great importance.

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The second principle is ecological integrity. The ecological integrity principle is all about protecting and restoring earth’s systems, preventing them from harm, adopting patterns that safeguard earth’s well being, and advancing sustainability studies. It stresses sustainability efforts in all areas, from recycling to renewable energy. This relates to David Orr in his discussion on biophilia and biophobia. Orr stated that it is necessary that we “transform how and how rapidly we use the earth’s endowment of land, minerals, water, air, wildlife and fuels” (Orr 203). He stressed how conservation and sustainability is important, especially because in the past 20 years our use of resources has become increasingly fast. According to Orr, a big part of this is because of our loss of biophilia and developed an “aversion to nature” (Orr 186).

 

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The third principle is social and economic justice. This principle includes the goals to eradicate poverty, ensure economic activities and institutions are both equitable and sustainable, affirm gender equality and equity, and the right of all to a supportive natural and social environment. This justice is all around for all people so that all systems are fair. This reminds me of David Orr’s idea of a sufficiency revolution. He stated that we need a sufficiency revolution that “transforms our ideas of what it means to live decently and how little is actually necessary for a decent life” (Orr 203). We need to change our ideas of what a good life means and start being more considerate about all those around us as well as the environment. Justice should be included in our way of life.

 

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Finally, the last principle is democracy, non-violence, and peace. The ideas of this principle are that we should strengthen our democratic institutions and integrate learning sustainability into our formal education. In addition, we need to treat all living beings with respect and consideration and promote tolerance and peace in our culture. I believe that Leopold’s land ethic ties in with this principle in that we need to treat and care for all living beings, which includes the natural environment. We need to have a certain ethic when it comes to the concept of community, and the “land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land” (Leopold 60). We need to learn to respect the plants as well as people.

Plan B Chp. 3

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In chapter 3 of Plan B, Brown discusses the waterfall effect of the increasing climate change on many different areas. He discusses how it effects the earth, our cities, our food supply and more. Climate change is becoming a huge problem. Brown begins the chapter by stating that ever since civilization began, each generation has left the next a planet similar to the one it inherited and ours is the first to break that tradition (Brown 55). Brown makes a very true statement here. There is no doubt that our generation uses, takes, and wastes more resources that it should. We are all about convenience and wanting the fastest results possible. More development. More profit. That is simply how most of our generation thinks.

 

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Brown gives the fact that we have had 25 of the warmest years in record history since 1980 (Brown 56). The climate change recently has become rapid and it is scary to think what will happen if it continues at this rate. The increasingly warm weather is causing ice and snow in mountain ranges to melt a lot faster and sooner. Brown makes a valid point in saying that we have taken the water storage from mountain ranges for granted simply because they have always been there, but as the earth gets warmer, these reservoirs are depleting (Brown 69). This water gives natural irrigation that many farming areas rely on. Without this natural flow of water, we would be in great trouble.

 

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It is obvious that we have many challenges that have arisen concerning the environment. However, Brown comes off too strong in some areas of the text for me. The challenges we face are stabilize climate, stabilize population, eradicate poverty, and restore the earth’s natural systems (Brown 75). According to Brown, we have to “effectively respond to each of them at the same time” because of their mutual independence (Brown 75). I believe that is far too reaching of a task for us to accomplish. When you ask for too much, a lot of the time you do not get anything resolved. It is much better to go about things in little steps so that it is not overwhelming. In addition, some things, such as restoring earth’s natural system is impossible. We can never get the systems back to how they were naturally at this point.

 

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Another area that Brown is unrealistic in his Plan B goal to replace all coal-fired power plants with wind farms by 2020. I know this book is outdated and it is obvious we are nowhere close to achieving this. However, even so, I do not think we can realistically get all the power to sustain today’s way of life with wind farms. We cannot rely on wind to power every our needs because it is a part of nature and nature is unpredictable. In addition, I think we just have way too much to power in today’s society to switch to relying on wind farms. He makes other unrealistic goals as well. In general, I just do not think he realizes society today is not able to make such drastic changes when they do not really see the threat since it is far in the future.

Plan B 4.0 Chp. 2

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     The second chapter of Plan B discusses the pressure of the growing population on land and water. Our food and water resources are becoming increasingly scarce as the population continues its rapid growth. There are many more mouths to feed now then there were a decade ago. This obviously affects both food and water because those are two vital resources needed for survival. Many countries are over pumping aquifers as they struggle to satisfy their growing water needs (Brown 38). Water seems to be a plentiful resource, but we are depleting it with our increasingly large demand. The competition for what has become a big problem, which is crazy to think because water is everywhere. However, simply because water is everywhere does not mean that we should not limit our use of it.

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One point that Brown brings up really surprised me. Apparently, the price of grain is now tied to the price of oil because of our country’s massive capacity to convert grain to ethanol (Brown 49). This further brings the resource of food into perspective. Now grain is in a competition to go to either car fuel or people’s food. Obviously, gas companies can pay more to obtain grain since they make much more than the average person. So now grain is being taken from people to be used in ethanol. Also, we all know how gas prices fluctuate. Now every time gas prices rise so do the prices of grain, which makes food more expensive as well.

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     Because of the way grain is tied to oil, cars are now in competition with people for grain. Brown brings up how automobile owners on average make 27,000 more a year than poorest families (Brown 50). Automobile owners pay for gas so they are making their vote against the people that need grain for food. In this way, the market decides to fuel cars (Brown 50). I understand this because our society is ruled by profit; however, I disagree with the logic of it. Grain is a very important food group and simply because gas uses it does not mean that less should go to people as a food source. This country is scarce on food as it is and we do not need another reason for it.

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            Brown ends the chapter saying that our choice is simple; we either need to reverse these trends or risk being overwhelmed by them (Brown 54). I do not believe it is that simple at all. Brown acts like we can just turn a switch and stop the way we are living. There is no possible way we can do that. There are too many people on earth that would need to cooperate together and even then it would be difficult. Also, we would have to change everyone’s mindsets. With all the advances we have made, we cannot just go back. We can slowly change and be more conservative but to continue operating society we need to utilize a certain amount of resources.

Food, Inc.

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     Right of the bat, Food, Inc. states that the way we eat has changed more in the past 50 years than it did in the previous ten thousand. This is such a dramatic statement and it really made me think. The way we eat has become much different from a decade ago, but I did not realize the reality of how greatly it has changed. Our food is no longer as fresh as it used to be. People want what is quick and easy. Our fast paced society has greatly impacted how food is processed. However, as it states in the video the images used to sell food still picture the agrarian lifestyle to make it seem like that is where our food comes from when in reality huge factories process the food. 

 

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It shocked me that the meat industry is dominated four huge multinational corporations, from which McDonalds are the main customers. So basically, even if you do not get fast food, you are getting the same product. Most people are unaware of where their food comes from because there is a veil over what these corporations do not want us to see. I agree that much is hidden from us. Most people just do not care because what they are getting is simple and easy.

 

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Another interesting thing that I learned was that the organic food area is growing twenty percent annually. This is great because it is showing that people are starting to take more care into what they purchase and what they eat. Organic food may be expensive but if it grows and more start to buy it, more will be made and eventually it will become cheaper. Also, it was surprising to learn that Stoneyfield was started by a small group of environmentalists against all the pollution that the huge businesses were creating. Their yogurt is the number three in America.

 

Plan B 4.0: Preface and Chp. 1

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     Plan B 4.0 is all about mobilizing to save the environment. In the preface and beginning chapter, the opens the discussion and gives a summary on what this means as well as an introduction to the big plan. It pinpoints food as the weak link because we are entering a “new food era” with higher prices, growing numbers of people and intensifying competition for resources (Brown Preface). It is very true that we do not have nearly enough food to support the amount of people here on earth. The food is also unevenly distributed. We waste so much food by throwing it out or having it go bad when there are millions of people in other areas that need it. Some people have an abundance of food while others are starving. We need food to survive and it is a huge problem that we do not have enough of it for everybody.

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Continuing on with the scarcity of food, the author begins to discuss different ways that we can fix this problem. Some people “point to genetically modified crops as a way out of this predicament” (Brown 8). I do not believe that this is the answer to our food problem. Genetically modifying our food to make it more nutritious or bigger or whatever else just is not natural. It may be a viable option and one that works, but I do not think this should be used. I do not like the thought of engineering our food to fix our problem or meet our needs. Food grown out of nature should not be tampered with in my opinion. I want natural nutrients not added ones.

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There is no question that the world’s overpopulation contributes greatly to our food problem. There are simply too many people on the world. As Dwight on the TV show The Office would put it, “we need a new plague”. Families are having too many children that they simply cannot afford and that the world cannot support. Cities and suburbs alike are overcrowded. Traffic is horrible. There are just too many bodies on this earth. Too many babies are being made and people are living much longer. The Plan B goal is to stabilize population at eight billion or lower because as of now the predictions are that the population will reach 9.2 billion by 2050 (Brown 24). Population definitely needs to be stabilized or lowered if possible. Less people would solve so many of our problems.

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With a happy ending to the first chapter, the author states, "a world where population has stabilized, forests are expanding, and carbon emissions are falling is within our grasp" (Brown 27). I believe this is too optimistic. We have such a long way to go. And frankly, many people just do not care to put in the amount of effort that Plan B is calling for. People in today’s world are far too selfish and focused on instant gratification. Plan B will have slow progress and the results will not be seen any time soon but in years beyond us. Because of this, I just do not believe enough people are willing to work and take the time out of their day to change for the better of our environment.

Shiva: Biodiversity

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       In this excerpt, Shiva discussed biodiversity and its erosion because of mankind’s domination. Shiva believes that biodiversity is very important for maintaining and creating life. Even the smallest microbe “plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological processes that create the conditions of life for all species, including, of course, our own” (Shiva 41). Each organism was put on this earth for a reason. Every single living thing has a role to play in the ecological system. Some of these roles may not be obvious or seen with our eyes but that does not mean they are not there. Even insects have an important role in the cycle of life. We need diversity in life to survive. A species may not seem necessary to us, but it is to some other species. Tampering with the cycle of life and biodiversity can be a dangerous move, which is something many do not realize since it is all about us in today’s world.

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     I support that all living things do have a reason even though people, including me, may not personally see the reason. Especially with insects, I have trouble seeing their reason for existence. I do admit this is mostly because I hate bugs and do not want them near me. With that being said, I do not believe that all life forms have “a right to evolve freely on their own terms” (Shiva 40). Pertaining to insects of all kinds, if their own terms involves being a bother to me, I do not hesitate to kill them. The fact that there are 950,000 species of insects repulses me. It makes it hard to agree that they all have intrinsic value, but I know they do.

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     According to Shiva, one of the causes of the loss of biodiversity arises from the assumption of empty land (Shiva 56). This assumption is that simply because the land is empty, it is free for us to take over and do with it what we please. This assumption causes us to deny the fact that there were prior inhabitants that had prior rights (Shiva 56). Mankind has always believed that land is theirs for the taking. This is seen since we first started colonizing America. We disregard the prior life that lived in the area and make it our own. We claim the land as ours and establish boundaries. We destroy the land so that it suits our own needs. Most of what we do with the land lacks all consideration for whose home it was before. This is because we believe we are superior; our superiority makes it okay to take what we want.

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        The second cause of biodiversity being lost is “monoculture of the mind” (Shiva 57). This is simply the idea that one way is best. Shiva states that the “shutting out of alternative ways of knowing and making leads to the assumption that the dominant knowledge and techniques are the only option” (Shiva 57). I do not believe that we as a society have one way of thinking and operating. We still have both diversity in general and biodiversity. With this statement, Shiva makes it seem like our biodiversity is inexistent. However, there are a huge variety of species alive and well in the world today. In addition, we know the being diverse is better than being single-minded. We would not have made progress if we did not value the importance of diversity.

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