For this blog, I will be making connections between the earth charter principles and class readings,
discussions, field trips, etc.
1) Respect and Care For the Community of Life
This principle wants us to recognize that all beings on earth rely on each other and that every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings. We need to respect the diversity of earth and secure it for future generations. This principle reminds me of the time in class when we had a discussion about this we even listed some species that we considered useless. A lot of people did not believe every form of life has value and I can agree to an extent, like I personally do not like mosquitoes and I can live without them. But maybe somewhere along the food chain mosquitoes are needed. This principle also reminds me of the class reading: "What Is Biodiversity and Why Is It So Important by Vandana Shiva" in this reading she goes as far to say "biodiversity is the very fabric of life." and if it is we need to understand and love this diversity in front of us.
2) Ecological Integrity
This principle looks at ways we can protect, restore, and improve Earth's ecological systems. This principle in general sums up this University Colloquium class to me. Through all our discussions and field trips we have continued to look at ways we can protect, restore, and improve the environment. Michael Grunwald's: Endgame, really sticks out to me when I think of ecological integrity. It shows people taking initiative to protect the everglades to the point where the actually get the government to reject an airport project. I believe this is a step in the right direction for ecological integrity.
3) Social and Economic Justice
This principle looks at ways we can better humanity such as clean water for everyone, distribution of wealth among nations, securing human rights, and eliminating discrimination. I feel like this is the goal it's not going to be easy but I do believe one day we can get close with our knowledge and technological advancements. This principle reminds me of our ECHO Field Trip where they were finding ways to assist developing countries support themselves using small-scale sustainable agricultural techniques. I love what they were doing and I hope more follow in that direction not just for food but for human rights and discrimination so we can have social and economic justice for all.
4) Democracy, Non-Violence, and Peace
This principle pretty much looks at the "treat others as you wish to be treated" saying. It's easy and nice to say but are we really doing this? You see the pollution of oceans, air, animal cruelty and the destruction of habitats. Until this changes we are not treating everything the way we wish to be treated. This principle reminds me of Jane Goodall's Why Save Endangered Species where she raises the point that the animals belong on the land who are we to just move them. If we learned to treat people and the environment with respect and consideration it would be a better world.
