Blog #5

Outline the goals and specific characteristics of a green learning community. How would you know one if you saw one?

             Dialogue and action are major aspects of green learning that I took from these readings. Orr in “Ecological Literacy” stresses that deep understanding is necessary in the education process; in other words, going beyond rope memorization or droning lectures. He sees education as a way to learn to apply information to fields outside of the classroom setting. When reading these assignments, I saw many parallels to our own class structure. Our lesson and discussion isn’t centered on forcing facts and definitions into my brain, but on getting me to branch out and notice events in my own life that illustrate the topic of the day. I’m not so much learning the strict idea of a concept, but building my own perception of it. I’m strengthening my values by being able to support them with valid, concise thoughts or examples.

Caspary made a point in “Students in Charge” that really struck me. While in a democratic classroom, if the intended lesson was not fulfilled, learning was still the main component. Learning is inevitable in this format due to the new method of interaction between students and professors. The skills incorporated into the process of running a democratic classroom is hands on and applicable to everyday life.

I felt as if both of these points were intertwined in Ayers’s “Teaching as an Ethical Enterprise.” He encourages fostering a desire for action in students, as well as seeing students as “three-dimensional creatures” in order to engage them.

            Therefore, if I were to look for a green learning community I would see discussion that promotes the ability to come to a personal conclusion and activity that encourages the use of personal experiences in learning. The most distinguishable aspect of the discussion and experience concerning green learning communities is the focus the individual student and their personal development.

Blog #4

What do you think of “green values?” Which ones do you most believe in?? What surprised you most about the readings?

             In the assigned readings on “green values” for this blog, I came across many fundamental beliefs I as familiar with. However, I thought many that were discussed weren’t completely relevant to the environmental cause that most concerns me. I never considered that the green movement would have so many concerns outside of sustainability, especially in the socio-political realm.

            Of the green values I came across I found “thinking globally, acting locally” to be a logical course of action to take in regard to green values. In addition, I completely agree with the notion that the Earth has intrinsic value and that humans should consider the impacts their actions have upon it, whether or not it will affect their daily life. Long term solutions, I understand, are imperative in green values as well.
            Unfortunately, I disagree with the green values’ take on social hierarchies. I do believe they are natural considering they can be found in most natural ecosystems. Consensus decision making would be difficult in this day and age and I believe it a majority agree a decision is best for the community it should be enacted and not held back. In addition, technology should not be construed as negative considering the progress made in not only solar, wind and geothermal technologies, but many others.
            I believe that every possible solution to our environmental issues should be looked at on an individual basis and not rejected just because of its perceived implications. Furthermore, I believe green values should be prioritized to factor in what’s best for the environment and not push socio economic issues on people already critical of the green stance.

Blog #3

Describe the program on AASHE and Sustainable Carolina’s websites that interest you the most. Write one questions for Margaret Bounds based on Sustainable Carolina’s website.

            When perusing through Sustainable Carolina’s website I was most impressed by the first campaign listed their project teams work behind. While each campaign is instrumental in the overall success in making the campus, community and individuals more sustainable, I found the first campaign, to promote campus-wide integrative, ecological thinking was fundamental in that goal. It is imperative that the third campaign, to promote sustainable management of campus resources, be active in order for the acceptance of greener lifestyles to take hold because without the resources available people would be less receptive and maybe even incapable of implementing the new habits. However, I thought the integration of sustainable options in curriculum, research, residence halls and daily discussion or conversation was an original and creative approach to assimilating eco friendly messages and behaviors into out culture as a university, community and society.
            On the site for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), I thought the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) was an interesting program. It’s mission to address global climate change and their institution’s own emissions through education works on a platform similar to Sustainable Carolina’s campaign to promote campus-wide integrative, ecological thinking. Not only does this program hope to reduce the environmental impacts of its own buildings, but to give back to the Earth and provide a more stable future in sustainability through the education of its students.
            After reviewing AASHE and Sustainable Carolina’s website, I would like to ask Margaret Bounds if a Campus Sustainability Day can be incorporated into the Sustainable Carolina calendar of events to celebrate green achievements and strengthening them by setting new goals and challenges in a public forum that gets the whole University involved.

Blog #2

Create a short biography

 

            Hi, fellow classmates and bloggers. My name is Veronica and I was born in Merrick, Long Island and moved to Greensboro, North Carolina due to my dad's work when I was four. I began dance at the same age and continued till I was 14. Along the way I picked up swimming and I stuck to that until I was introduced to Triathlons. I'm a band nerd and I enjoy exercising as evidenced by the fact that I was Drum Major of my high school marching band for three years and Captain of my high school swim team for two. Sophomore and junior year were instrumental in determining my plan of study for college. I took AP Environmental Science sophomore year and loved it; however, I still wanted to try design, so I went to design camp over the summer and took Drafting I junior year. It didn't take long to realize that was not how I wanted to spend four more years of my education and career, so I stuck with Environmental Science! I never planned on coming to USC. I applied at my dad's request and when I came to visit just for fun, my decision was made. My academic interests include almost anything related to the environment and excludes anything math related. I hope my chosen field of study propels me in the right direction with significant preparation to increase the sustainability and strengthen the security of our country's future, and the future of the world through Sustainability Management or some similar form of work. I hope my future blogs enlighten others as well as myself and that I come to more fully realize my opinions on issues crucial to this course and my major overall.

Blog #1

What do you want to get out of the course? What interests you about "green politics?" What do you want to explore?

 

            I want to get out of this course a better understanding of the process that go behind the various forms of sustainable development and environmental policy in communities at local, national and global levels. The portion of the process I want to understand the most is the thinking process of those involved and how they perceive and evaluate the pros and cons of sustainability; especially of those in government positions.
            I feel that the understanding and sharing of this knowledge will help citizens more effectively communicate with their elected representatives the necessity of sustainable action. Green politics interest me because it focuses on bringing the government back to the people. I hope this class shows me how I can become more involved in my own community’s sustainable economy by to supporting local, fresh farmer’s markets and other artisan craft stores and increase nearby, useful jobs.
            By bringing everyone’s personal world a little closer to home, we can strengthen the long term future of the globe. I hope in this class I can gain the experience and leadership to continue these actions myself and share these actions beyond college. I want to explore the thought behind environmentalism on the local, national and international scale and find a way to make a significant change within my own community that can alter people’s impressions on sustainability and the large impact of small adjustments.