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?