500-word course evaluation

You may post the narrative course evaluation here -
I want to say thanks for all your hard work, community involvement and great ideas. I hope you can take forth many different aspects of sustainability that you are able to apply to your lives and teach other about. Have a wonderful break!
 

Blog #22 Urban Gardening/Vertical Food systems (due 11/28)

Prompt: Which of the techniques would you be most interested in implementing; why is this so? Are there one or multiple urban farming methods that would be more suitable to your lifestyle/region?

Give a brief summary of the method and answer at least 3 of the following questions:

1.       What are some of the steps that need to be addressed before the method is put into place?

2.      How does the system work?

3.      What is the up-keep?

4.      What are the benefits of the sustainable system?

5.      If there are setbacks or possible problems with the system, state and explain them.

Blog Reading Assignments for Urban Farming and Vertical Food Systems

 

Rooftop Gardens:
http://content.ebscohost.com/pdf9/pdf/2008/ASU/01Jul08/33566988.pdf?T=P&P=AN&K=33566988&S=R&D=tfh&EbscoContent=dGJyMNXb4kSep7I4zOX0OLCmr0qep7NSsKq4TbWWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGvtkmwrrRKuePfgeyx44Dt6fIA

 Hydroponic Gardening:

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=632f19dc-32a0-4fa0-9670-8dcaacf3f6e6%40sessionmgr114&vid=10&hid=17
http://www.hydroponics.com/howtoinfo/hydroponics%20articles/strawberries.html (optional)
http://www.hydroponics.com/howtoinfo/hydroponics%20articles/hydroponics_at_school.html (optional)
http://www.hydroponics.com/howtoinfo/hydroponics%20articles/organic_vs_inorganic.html (optional)

 

City Garden Plots:
http://www.independent.com/news/2010/sep/02/garden-plots-now-available-city-community-gardens/
http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=39846
http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/publicworks/gardenplots/
http://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/community-gardens/movement

 

Vertical Gardening:
http://www.oudaily.com/news/2012/oct/24/communitygarden/
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/289407/how-vertical-garden.html
http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/Vertical-Garden-Idea-Living-Wall-Kit-Puts-4033746.php

 

 

Blog #23 Global Development Blog (due 12/3)

TOPIC: Global Development
READING ASSIGNMENTS POSTED ON BLACK BOARD!!
(Part 1)Harrison, pages 65-66 (BB), (Part 2) http://www.globalization101. org/what-is-globalization/ and (Part 3) pages 278-295 from the book The Lexus and the Olive Tree "Demolition Man" (BB)


BLOG ASSIGNMENT:
Part 1. Describe the problems facing Africans. What are some sustainable solutions to these problems? Read page 65 - starting with the paragraph "Everywhere in Africa..." through the first paragraph of page 66

Part 2: It is impossible to address sustainability throughout the world without running into Globalization.
Read the definition of globalization here:
http://www.globalization101. org/what-is-globalization/

3. Examine and explain the pros and cons of globalization. The most simple solution would seem to be for wealthier countries to intervene and help with environmental degradation, but where is the line between saving the earth and saving culture? Read pages 278-295 from the Lexus and the Olive Tree "Demolition Man" *These selections are saved in three seperate sections- pay attention to page numbers

Blog #21 ( due:11/26)- Alternative Energy Group

Hi all- the artciles are on Blackboard and were also sent in an email
Here is the prompt:
Blog Assignment for this section: Complete both!

1. Biofuel Article *Read pages 7-20, exploring Bioenergy in context, what the term biofuel really means, and its global context.Detail how energy has changed for humans over time (biomass, renewable, etc). What significant events changed the
way humans used energy? Explain what a biofuel is. What are the advantages of using biofuel for transportation, and
which specific biofuels are used for this?

2. Energy in 2030 and Conservation
Choose one type of alternative energy from this article and briefly describe the benefits and negative aspects of utilizing
that type of energy.

Blog #20 Model Communities- Blog due 11/19

Blog questions:

Before you read the articles, what would you expect a model green community to be like? After reading the articles, which model community was your favorite and why? Compare and contrast the values of the communities. What was different about them, what was similar? Which one was your favorite and why? Which one did you think was the best?

Reading Assignment:

 http://directory.ic.org/21097/Avalon_Community

 http://directory.ic.org/23250/ardhanariswaras

 http://directory.ic.org/23826/Birds_and_Bees_Permaculture_Village

 http://directory.ic.org/21624/Costa_Rica_Ecovillage

 http://directory.ic.org/1794/Earthaven_Ecovillage

 http://directory.ic.org/403/The_Farm

 http://directory.ic.org/23968/RainSong

OPEN BLOG #3

Several of you have submitted Open Blog # and #2. I am making this space available for OPEN BLOG #3. Remember this is a space to reflect on any aspect of the class or activities you have taken part in that relate to the class
Thanks!
Autumn

No Impact Week!

Clink to find out more about next week. This is a great opportuntity for your Action Project!
No Impact Week

Update on Project Topics

Last class we discussed the many topics that we previously itemized as possibilities for your Groupe Teaching Project and your Individual or Group Action Project.
To recap from the Group Teaching Project list:

• Consumption Economics
• Local Groups/Local Politics
• Alternative Energy
• Everyday Green Choices
• Model Communities
• Urban Gardening/food systems
• Congress and environmental issues
• Less developed countries and sustainability issues
• Climate Change
• Mass Transit
• Composting
• Mountain Top Removal

Each student listed their top 6-8 and groups will be determine at Wednesdays class!


To recap from the Individual or Group Action Project Topics: (remeber this needs to be at minimum 6 hours) *you may chose your topic and/or group- come prepared to discuss on Wednesday

• Volunteering at City Roots
• SSREC
• Local Clean-ups (you can organize one or join one that a group has already planned)
• Tailgate-Recycling (you will need to attend the next two- contact Autumn or Malte)
• Tracing our energy use
• Spreading awareness of any specific environmental issue (making literature or even videos or posters)
• Animal Rights
• Organizing a speaker to come present
• No Impact Week

 

Blog #18- Election Group Teaching Project

The blog assignment for Monday is:

Do the quiz located at http://www.isidewith.com/ before reading the articles. Is the result what you expected? After reading the articles what is one thing that you learned about each candidate? Did any of the platforms really surprise you? Did having the information about each candidate change your ideas of who to vote for? Include at least one topic for which you feel extremely passionate about and explain how that influences your decision of who you support.

The reading assignment for Monday is:
http://www.isidewith.com/

http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Mitt_Romney_Environment.htm

http://change.gov/agenda/energy_and_environment_agenda/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markhendrickson/2012/09/20/a-mean-green-obama-wages-war-against-cheap-energy/

http://www.treehugger.com/energy-policy/obama-romney-stein-greenest-energy-policy.html

http://www.lp.org/platform

http://www.lp.org/states/South-Carolina

http://www.lp.org/issues/environment

http://www.gp.org/committees/platform/2010/index.php

Blog #17- Bee-Keeping, Master Gardener & Mushrooms

Blog #17
Read about the issues and threats pertaining to our important pollinators on the Xerces Society’s websites  and answer the following prompt: (you will need to review the first three websites)
What are the major issues surrounding the use of neonicotinoids with regards to bees? Even if these chemicals were used years ago, are they still a threat- why/why not? Summarize the principles of the 'Bring back the Pollinators' campaign? What role can we all play in this issue? How have businesses such as Whole Foods helped with this issue?
http://www.xerces.org/neonicotinoids-and-bees/

http://www.xerces.org/bringbackthepollinators/

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs095/1102968923571/archive/1110177608592.html

 

Review the following for some basic information from these sources:

The Beauty of Pollination http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/xHkq1edcbk4?rel=0

Information of bee colonies and the lives of bees http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bees/

Ethnobeeology’s facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ethnobeeology/318530098181576

Opportunities with Conservation Voters

We were so fortunate to be able to visit the office of Conservation Voters last week, and Debbie Parker actually came to Sustainable Carolina for a more in-depth talk about the "green" issues facing our state government this year. I wanted to remind you all about the volunteer opportunities they have https://conservationvotersofsc.org/take_action/
*Please note that the Volunteer Lobbying Action groups start back up in January- so make connections now!!

Blog #16 City Roots and Urban Farming

After reviewing the website http://cityroots.org/?page_id=2 respond to the following prompt:

Explain the goals of City Roots. Discuss the City Root's philosophy of farming and what activities that includes. Describe the types of events hosted by City Roots. Do you beleive there should be more urban farms in the the city- why/why not? How might organizations such as City Roots improve some of the public health issues we discussed earlier this semester?
 

Blog #15 due 10/24 Selections of Eco-Poetry

Choose one of the four options for the blog assignmentlisted in "Selections of Ec-Poetry" on Blackboard

Blog option #1: Reflecting on selection #1, what about you has gone away?  What are you feeling coming back?  When do you feel free?

 

Blog option #2: Reflecting on selection #2, what do you wish you knew?

 

Blog option #3: Read the remaining poems.  Which poem is your favorite and why? 

 

Blog option #4: Write a poem of your own and describe the influences and meaning.

Blog #14 (due 10/22)

Using the information in their websites, evaluate and explain the goals and specific programs of Conservation Voters of South Carolina and Sustainable Midlands. For each organization explain which project you find most interesting and list one question that you would like to as the representative that we talk to.

*Review the specific programs of each organization. We will have a quiz before we depart.

Blog #13 (due 10/17)

According to Parms, what topics do activist documentary films focus on? According to Whiteman, in what ways do documentary films have political impact? Describe two specific examples, one from one of the articles by Whiteman and the other from the "Reports from the Road" about Blue Vinyl.

Blog #12- Due 10/15- clarification and trip reminder

 Hi all- it has come to my attention that the blog prompts are out of order on the syllabus. However, the readings are in order with the correct due dates. Here is the blog prompt for the Bob Guild tour we will be taking on Monday.

Blog 12 prompt:

What interested you most about the River Alliance organization? What is a Superfund Site? Summarize the background of the Columbia Organic Chemical plant. Briefly describe the environmental controversies in your hometown (or use the EPA locator to describe a Superfund site near your home). What is one question you have for Bob Guild?

Please be at the corner of Wheat and Sumter as close to 2:20 as you can. We will leave at 2:30. Have a great weekend!

Autumn

Areas of Interest- possible Action or Teaching projects

I have summarized the list we all spoke about yesterday that details your areas of interest. Anyone of these would be great to focus on for you Action or Teaching projects.

Consumption/economics

Local projects involving non-students

Exploring different types of energies- the economics behind them, technology – specifically mountaintop removal

Tracing our energy source

Environmental issues – current political elections

Create literature promoting “green” everyday choices

Local politics- sustainability

Exploring “model communities” best practices

Urban gardening, vertical gardening

Spreading awareness to outside businesses local to campus; sustainability campaigns

Senate/House environmental values

Presidential candidates’ agendas for the environment

Waste impact of football games in areas local to the stadium

Sustainability in underdeveloped countries

Climate change issues- lesser known effects;

Mass transit

Sustainability of specific campus buildings

Most promising current research, technologies and policies

Composting education

Blog #11 due 10/10

Blog#11 (due 10/10):  Write a blog entry with :

(1) one or more ideas for either exploring a discipline (either a new one or one we have already covered),

 (2) one or more ideas for something you'd like to explore in the community, 

(3) a summary of an article that you would like everyone to read, and why you think everyone should read it.

*Be conscious that you need to have 200+ words, so be thorough in your ideas and justifications

Blog#10 (due 10/8):

Blog#10 (due 10/8): What is culture-jamming? What are its forms? What do you think of it as a tool for activism? Be sure to use specific examples for the readings and the Adbusters website. For an extra point, find an example on youtube.com

Campus Action Project Week!

We are devoting our efforts to the Bike Map Project this week. We will be working in teams to collect data that will be used in creating a bike map that depicts high traffic areas, gradient of hills and the absence/presence of bike lanes. I will post teams today after they are assigned in class.
It is up to you and your team to make sure you schedule the needed time to collect your data.

Good luck with your collection!!

Please feel free to email me autumnperkins@gmail.com  or Anna Kirkpatrick kirkpate@email.sc.edu

Blogger #9 Global Climate Change (due 9/26)

The article is organized around three levels of certainty and consensus about particular elements of climate change. Based on your prior exposure to this issue, discuss one or two items that surprised you. Was there an item with "strong agreement" that you thought was more controversial? Was there an item "not well understood" that you considered to be more certain?

Open Blog #2

Several of you have submitted Open Blog #1. I am making this space available for OPEN BLOG #2.
Thanks!
Autumn

Blog #8 Rocky Branch Creek & Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance (due 9/24)

Blog #8 Rocky Branch Creek  and Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance. In preparation for our field trip on Monday 9/24, lead by Sustainable Midland’s Ryan Nevius and Professor Alan James of the USC Geography Department- review the following websites and presentations and respond to the prompts below. We are looking forward to this trip and are excited about the opportunity to learn more and become involved!

BLOG #8

 http://people.cas.sc.edu/ajames/RBWA/RBW.html

Explain the hazards and risks of having over 50% of Rocky Branch Watershed covered by impervious material. What geographical areas near campus does Rocky Branch Watershed impact? Describe the development concerns that the Alliance has with the sale of the baseball field.

Review the “PREZI” presentation and the Video : http://www.sustainablemidlands.org/?page_id=3247

Explain the mission and goals of the Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance. Explain why local business owners are concerned about Rocky Branch Creek. Discuss the public health risks associated with mismanagement of Rocky Branch Creek.

Blog Post #7 (due 9/19)

  Please access the required reading here:  http://www.iatp.org/documents/disadvantaged-farmers-addressing-inequalities-in-federal-programs-for-farmers-of-color 

Blog 7 prompt:

 What surprised you the most about this article? Explain the historic barriers to land that have been faced by minority groups. Describe recent court cases against the USDA and several pieces of legislation that are aimed at an equitable resolution to this issue. How do you believe farmers in South Carolina have been affected by such discriminatory practices?

Blog # 6 (due 9/17) and Note about class structure

*** Reminder*** For class on Monday 9/17/12- we will have four Sustainable Carolina staff members here to speak with you. Please review the websites and prepare a question for each speaker
Speakers:
Carter Cox- Green Leadership, Program coordinator
Malte Weiland- Campuswide Programming, Community food systems
Margaret Bounds- Housing, Ecoreps
Larry Cook- Recycling Programs


Blog #6- For each website, describe the specific program that you find most interesting and explain why you find it interesting. Plus, create one question for the speakers based on the Sustainable Carolina websites.

Blogger #5 due 9/12

Norton draws a distinction between two groups within the environmental movement. He sometimes calls them the Aggregators vs. the Moralists or the followers of Pinchot vs. the followers of Muir or the Anthropocentrists vs. the Biocentrists. Briefly describe the two groups. Do you identify yourself with either group? Or would you want to resist drawing this distinction? Please explain and justify your answer.

Blogger #4 Due 9/10/12

What reactions do you have to the "No Impact Man" experiment? Which of the suggested changes to yourself and the world are the most and the least attractive to you? How likely would you be to participate in a "No Impact Man Experiment"?

Steve Strauss (emailed to Autumn)

Blog #4

The No Impact Man experiment came off very strange to me at first. I thought to myself why would anyone want to take a whole year off of not only not using electricity, but non electric transportation and not buying anything new except various foods. After reading into this mans theory he does present valid points that I agree with on certain topics. I also felt that what makes him think that only two people doing this for one whole year could make that much of a difference and what change to their environment could they bring. Turns out by doing this it benefited them not only for that year but in the long run as well. There are various points that stick out to me that I would favor such as, eating healthier foods, and saving household electricity. By him only buying food from farmers markets, helps his family eat healthier and give them better habits in the long run, which I would sacrifice for. Saving electricity in his house also benefits in the economic aspect, it helps save not only money but wasted energy as well which is just as important that I agree with. Some parts that least attract me would be nonelectric transportation and not buying new clothes. I feel that transportation today is what gets this world moving and where we need to be, if we weren't as up to date as we are we would be crippled in terms of getting from point A to point B. I don't agree with nonelectric transportation because of how time consuming it would take to get from place to place as well as efficiency. Not buying new clothes on the other hand isn't something I would agree with. When one goes out and purchases new clothes for them or their family, they should then go and pick out which clothes they don't wear or fit into anymore and donate them to the less fortunate. I could only go so far in fulfilling the "No Impact man's" requirements in making that certain difference in the world, I would have a real hard time trying to force myself to handle the things I mentioned that I disagree with. This could really put me out of my element doing something like this, so there could be a bigger chance that I would participate for as long as I could handle.

From Stephanie L (emailed to Autumn)
I really like the concept behind the No Impact Man experiment.  I really like his view on the economy and I agree that happiness should come from doing things to help the community and from spending time with family and friends instead of working away your life to have money to buy material things.  We soon lose interest in the material things and want more.  So, that is a good point for him to make.  And, I like the idea of returning to a more simple lifestyle, appreciating the smaller things, and learning how to live without all these items that we think are key to our happiness.  I dont disagree with any part of the experiment, however, I don't feel that me, personally, could do it.  I can understand walking and riding a bike instead of automobiles, but what about traveling long distance? A vehicle would have to be used in some situations.  I think eating fresh, local produce and only what is in season is very do-able.  It would just take some sucking-it-up and learning to deal with what we have to get through that.  Some products like toilet paper, razors, etc. I could not go without.  Buying new clothes, toys, and other items that are 'wants' and not 'needs' would be the easiest to do without.  The rocking chair story is a good example of that.  I really love the idea of having to go to free shows in the community or just locally planned events and spending that time with friends and family.  It could show us that actually do not need to rely on televisions, computers, etc. for entertainment.  I do feel that this would create more happiness all around.  Ultimately, I do not think I would be able to do this experiment for a year or even a month.  I would give it a week tops.  But, applying some of the ideas of No Impact Man whenever possible is a good idea. 

Community Building Events!

Hi all- please post about any proposed/planned community building event details here. Be sure to review the blog-post about local green events. You can turn any of these events into a community event if you so choose :)

GRASS ROOTS YOGA!
Celebrate the beginning of Fall with Grassroots Yoga!  Join us Tuesday, September 25th at 8 am! Stacey Millner-Collins of Columbia’s City Yoga will lead students, staff, faculty, and community members in the ancient practice of movement and meditation. All levels welcome! Sustainable Carolina is offering everyone the chance to experience yoga, so whether you practice yoga for health, for relaxation, or you have never tried it at all,come to Davis Field Tuesday, September 25th at 8:00 a.m.!Participants may bring their own mat or towel or just settle into the grass. Rain date is Thursday the 27th, same place and time. 


Fun at the Greek Festival! 9/14/12

USC Farmer's Market Meet-Up 9/11/12

Blog # 2- Due 9/5 by 10:00 a.m.

Create a blog profile to introduce yourself to the class, including a picture of yourself, a picture of some place that you like, a brief summary of your life thus far, and a summary of your academic interests and career plans. Be creative!

If you have create an actual separate blog and wish to put this information there- then please include a link to your blog in the comments below!


MAKING A PROFILE- When you go to www.blogger.com/home you should see your name over to the right hand side- with a drop down icon. Drop down and select profile.- HOPE THIS HELPS

Blog #3 (due 9/5, by 10:00 am)

Use the reading material for today, as well as previous reading on green values (and referring to specific aspects of that material), write a blog entry describing what you think the goals and specific characteristics of a learning community that was "green". How would you know a green learning community if you saw one?

Conference Opportunity- Please Apply!

There is an important conference coming up: The Southeastern Student Renewable Energy Conference- the SSREC. This is a popular and enlightening conference in which to learn more about alternative forms of sustainable energy. Sustainable Carolina is sending a group of students. The conference will be held at Florida A and M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida October 5th-7th. If you are interested in applying to be part of our student group please fill out the following form
SSREC Student Application

The SSREC is a weekend-long conference for students and young people working in the Southeast to combat climate change and create a more just and equitable society.

During three days of action-packed, inspiring and fun activities, students will have the opportunity to:

• Learn from the experiences of students who have already organized successful clean energy campaigns and energy improvement projects at other universities.
• Return home with the experiences, knowledge and networking necessary to organize clean energy campaigns in their own campuses and communities!

The conference will offer an exciting experience featuring workshops, cutting-edge presentations, panel discussions, and a high-energy networking atmosphere focused on growing the youth clean energy movement in the South."

Green Events in the Midlands

Thought provoking film screening "The Weight of the Nation- Challenges"- explores: the major forces in the obesity epidemic, including agriculture, economics, racial and socioeconomic disparities, physical inactivity and the American food industry and marketing. The film also proposes solutions to this epidemic.
Film will be presented at 6pm on Thursday, September 6th at the Public Health Research Center Auditorium, 921 Assembly

TAIL GATE RECYCLING

Home football game tailgating recycling events will occur on 9/8/2012 (East Carolina); 9/15/2012 (UAB); 9/22/2012 (Missouri); 10/6/2012 (Georgia); 10/27/2012 (Tennessee); 11/10/2012 (Arkansas); and 11/17/2012 (Woffard & America Recycles Day event).

We will need to recruit around 30 volunteers at each game to hand out plastic recycling bags to tailgaters as they enter the main tailgating lots. Volunteers are needed beginning 5 to 6 hours before kickoff, unless its a noon game in which case they are needed around 8 AM. Each volunteer will be asked to commit to a 2 to 3 hour shift, depending on how busy the game is, and should be done well in advance of kickoff. Volunteers are also given a tshirt. Anyone interested in volunteer should contact Malte Weiland at weiland@fmc.sc.edu.

KEEP THE MIDLANDS BEAUTIFUL EVENTS
 River Sweep on Saturday, September 15th
"Good Clean Fun" on Saturday October 13th in West Columbia

CONGAREE SWAMP EVENTS:
Frequent guided canoe tours, guided hikes and more

VOLUNTEER FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Find a local, or not so local, park to donate some of your time.

Take a walking tour of the Three Rivers Greenway and learn how to support the River Alliance

Blog #1- Due 8/29

Why are you in this course? What do you think of "green values"? Which "green value" did you most agree with and least agree with? What surprised you the most about the readings?

OPEN BLOG 1

There is no specific topic for your open blogs. They may include any response you have to the field trips, discussion, readings, outside events, or conversations outside of class. These entries could also include commentary on social and environmental issues, analysis of relevant cultural events, reports on activities, and personal reflections on what is making sense in the course and what is not. Remember you also have the option of creating your own "open" blog, since you have a GMAIL and Blogger profile.  In doing so, you will have more creative options of attaching photos and videos. If you chose this option, please link your blog address to one of the open blog posts.
Otherwise submit your entries for OPEN BLOG #1 below!

Welcome to Green Explorations POLI 121/ENVR 121

Welcome students! We are excited about the new semester, with the chance to build a learning community that will allow us to explore our environment and engage with others here at USC and outside community as we create projects to increase sustainability. Please respond to the following community building question:

What place in nature do you have a special connection to?