I love Earth. I love the mountains, the oceans, the savannas, and the perfect combination of gases, atmosphere, and distance from the sun that creates the conditions for life. I feel like that isn't said enough. I love this planet. It is 4.5 billion years old and the humans time on the planet has only been a fraction of a fraction of that time. Yet, in this small amount of time, we have been able to severely destroy the conditions that have allowed for life; conditions that have taken billions of years to become just right for the first prokaryotic cells to form.
The failure of the international community, especially the United States, to act decisively to protect the environment and address climate change, will be written as one of the greatest failures of humankind to act in the face of a common crisis. Over this semester, this course has made it clear that the picture is bleak, the future may not be better for our grandchildren (a cliche I know, but a salient anecdote), little serious action has been taken, and an environmental fiasco is inevitable in the nearer future.
Over the course of the semester, the distinction between short-term and long-term priorities became clearer. I have often believed that the economy and unemployment are the most pressing issues facing the United States, if not the global community. However, there will always be short-term issues facing nations, the problem facing those who seek to find solutions to environmental issues is that many of these issues are fundamentally long-term. The ability to change societal norms to look at long-term problems in the face of "pressing" short-term issues will be one of the greatest challenges.
I also believe there is a lack of a transformational figure to unite the environmental movement and drive it to the fore of the public consciousness. Yet my biggest take away from the class is the need to talk about these issues. The discussions we had in class allowed for a variety of opinions, but all seriously acknowledged the pressing environmental issues and the need to work towards solutions to prevent a true catastrophe. The need for mature conversations with the goal of direct solutions is incalculable.
My greatest fear that I articulated in the letter to my future child was that my generation failed to protect and preserve a planet that allowed for my life. Earth is fantastic and unique, and rarely is there a true appreciation for a world that has allowed for the creation of the greatest civilization in the history of the planet. Humankind is special, but merely a fraction of a long cosmic history. The thought of destroying something that is awe inspiring (http://vimeo.com/44801709) is an unconscionable prospect.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Reflection
Throughout this course I have been reminded of the meaning of the term "wicked problems". Wicked problems are dilemmas in which the requirements continuously change or are in contradiction to one another, as such, there is no answer, no true or false, no right or wrong. Indeed everything is only a question of better or worse. During this class we have read about and discussed many of the small infinity of moving parts that make the environmental crisis what it is today, government, economy, and civil society in particular. We have also been asked to think in terms of action. Instead of considering environmental problems for their own sake, this class has taught us to engage with problems and evaluate solutions based on their effectiveness.
From a personal perspective, I am very glad that I waited to take this class until my senior year. Having studied environmental science and policy throughout my college career, I have noticed that students are rarely given the opportunity to step back and take a look at the big picture, where we are forced to grapple critically, philosophically, and emotionally with the challenges we now face. I have also been reminded of how important it is to truly understand the social, political, and economic context behind the environmental crisis, and the way in which each of the individual problems relate to each other. Contextual knowledge and big-picture thinking are both necessary if we are to identify what we can aspire to, and hopefully how to get there.
This class has also shaken some of my most fundamental beliefs about the environmental crisis. First, studying environmental political history has given me a better understanding of how long to takes to effect significant, positive change; and, conversely, how quickly we can cause irreversible damage. Being only 21 years old it seems like global environmental problems - climate change, world hunger, etc. - have always been around, when in fact we have only recently as a species had to deal with problems of such grad scale and rapid rates of change. I'm often shocked to think that we are still having many of the same conversations about the environment that we were having thirty years ago, but this is also a very new kind of problem requiring dramatically new ways of thinking about ourselves and the world we live in. While I have come to understand the reasons for our inability to change quickly, this class has also been a constant reminder that the environment does not operate on the same schedule. McKibben's 15 year prognosis is particularly haunting.
Secondly, I have been asked to question the basic assumptions I make when trying to develop solutions for environmental problems. The democracy assumption is probably the best example of this. Perhaps it's a cultural thing, but a concern for democracy and fairness tend to permeate the American environmental movement. However, this is not necessarily conducive to effective problem solving. Maniates echoed this frequently, democratic, individualized change is unlikely to create a movement with sufficient alacrity and weight to confront the mess we've made for ourselves. What we need instead is well organized, leveraged change, presumably led by experts and political elites. While I have yet to fully explore what I really think about this, the idea has nonetheless made me think in new ways about political and social change.
"Intro to Doom", "Despair 101", and other such epithets are all somewhat appropriate descriptions of our class on a day-to-day basis, but I leave invigorated. As insoluble, heart-wrenching, and huge these challenges are, they are equally important. It's going to be a long fight, a hard fight, and we're unlikely to see any cathartic conclusion in our lifetime. Dig in. Happy Holidays, I leave you with these:
From a personal perspective, I am very glad that I waited to take this class until my senior year. Having studied environmental science and policy throughout my college career, I have noticed that students are rarely given the opportunity to step back and take a look at the big picture, where we are forced to grapple critically, philosophically, and emotionally with the challenges we now face. I have also been reminded of how important it is to truly understand the social, political, and economic context behind the environmental crisis, and the way in which each of the individual problems relate to each other. Contextual knowledge and big-picture thinking are both necessary if we are to identify what we can aspire to, and hopefully how to get there.
This class has also shaken some of my most fundamental beliefs about the environmental crisis. First, studying environmental political history has given me a better understanding of how long to takes to effect significant, positive change; and, conversely, how quickly we can cause irreversible damage. Being only 21 years old it seems like global environmental problems - climate change, world hunger, etc. - have always been around, when in fact we have only recently as a species had to deal with problems of such grad scale and rapid rates of change. I'm often shocked to think that we are still having many of the same conversations about the environment that we were having thirty years ago, but this is also a very new kind of problem requiring dramatically new ways of thinking about ourselves and the world we live in. While I have come to understand the reasons for our inability to change quickly, this class has also been a constant reminder that the environment does not operate on the same schedule. McKibben's 15 year prognosis is particularly haunting.
Secondly, I have been asked to question the basic assumptions I make when trying to develop solutions for environmental problems. The democracy assumption is probably the best example of this. Perhaps it's a cultural thing, but a concern for democracy and fairness tend to permeate the American environmental movement. However, this is not necessarily conducive to effective problem solving. Maniates echoed this frequently, democratic, individualized change is unlikely to create a movement with sufficient alacrity and weight to confront the mess we've made for ourselves. What we need instead is well organized, leveraged change, presumably led by experts and political elites. While I have yet to fully explore what I really think about this, the idea has nonetheless made me think in new ways about political and social change.
"Intro to Doom", "Despair 101", and other such epithets are all somewhat appropriate descriptions of our class on a day-to-day basis, but I leave invigorated. As insoluble, heart-wrenching, and huge these challenges are, they are equally important. It's going to be a long fight, a hard fight, and we're unlikely to see any cathartic conclusion in our lifetime. Dig in. Happy Holidays, I leave you with these:
I have to say that I got more out this class than I expected. I took it because International Environmental Politics is an SIS core class, and I wanted something a bit different as I have taken economics-based classes before and have studied conflict on a number of times as well. I have also always been a bit embarrassed about my lack of knowledge of environmental issues all the while claiming to be quite concerned with the world's growing environmental challenges. As such, this class appeared to offer a good opportunity for me to learn exactly what I was concerned about.
This class has left me more concerned, and now, I can pinpoint some of the things that concern me the most. For instance, I am now nearly certain that we genuinely need to dramatically alter our society and culture to address climate change and its broader effects. Even from a strict fiscal point of view, general lifestyle choices in the U.S. are not sustainable (many people and our government face nearly insurmountable debt), but the environmental issues that we currently face cannot be overcome without seriously reevaluating and reordering our priorities and making substantial changes to how we live. As Maniates stresses, it isn't enough to change some light bulbs or to take public transportation instead of driving; we need to collectively make a concerted effort to enact real change on a community, state, national, and international level.
There were definitely days that I left class feeling as though my hope for the future had been effectively destroyed and as if we really could not overcome the challenges that we face going forward. However, it does give me some hope to hear the different perspectives on environmental issues outside of the way it is framed in the media. Also, hearing about new technology and the different initiatives that are either out there already or being developed has made me feel that, while we face enormous obstacles, we can avoid disaster. After this semester, I can say that I view climate change and the environment more broadly as the biggest issues that we presently face. That climate change has become a politicized debate about whether or not it is even happening or, if it is happening, about who is responsible rather than a conversation about what we can and must do to fix the problem is disturbing. With that in mind, I'm apprehensive about the future but not completely without hope.
This class has left me more concerned, and now, I can pinpoint some of the things that concern me the most. For instance, I am now nearly certain that we genuinely need to dramatically alter our society and culture to address climate change and its broader effects. Even from a strict fiscal point of view, general lifestyle choices in the U.S. are not sustainable (many people and our government face nearly insurmountable debt), but the environmental issues that we currently face cannot be overcome without seriously reevaluating and reordering our priorities and making substantial changes to how we live. As Maniates stresses, it isn't enough to change some light bulbs or to take public transportation instead of driving; we need to collectively make a concerted effort to enact real change on a community, state, national, and international level.
There were definitely days that I left class feeling as though my hope for the future had been effectively destroyed and as if we really could not overcome the challenges that we face going forward. However, it does give me some hope to hear the different perspectives on environmental issues outside of the way it is framed in the media. Also, hearing about new technology and the different initiatives that are either out there already or being developed has made me feel that, while we face enormous obstacles, we can avoid disaster. After this semester, I can say that I view climate change and the environment more broadly as the biggest issues that we presently face. That climate change has become a politicized debate about whether or not it is even happening or, if it is happening, about who is responsible rather than a conversation about what we can and must do to fix the problem is disturbing. With that in mind, I'm apprehensive about the future but not completely without hope.
If only some men just wanted to watch the world burn
If we extrapolate this, the real problem is us. There are too many of us, living too extravagantly to keep up our life style. Sure, we do great things, but so much damage can be linked back to us. We are a utilitarian species that has developed into colonies that use up the resources around it at a rate that we cannot replenish. We are that big bad enemy when it comes to earth, and our institutions stand in the way.
What I have taken away from this course is the need for a massive intellectual and societal shift. I have also been solidified in the idea that it'll take something substantial to spark this shift. Substantial could be innovative, but it could also be destructive.
The Last Post...
Like most, if not all, of my peers, my reason for taking this class was to expand my knowledge of one of the most challenging and pressing problems of our generation. Unlike our parents who had very limited access to information about this issue, our generation suffers the opposite fate. We have too much information. Everywhere we look from the toothbrush made of recycled yogurt bottles in Whole foods to the recycling bins on campus, there are daily reminders of our current crisis. My initial reaction after the first few classes was complete and utter despair. We’re screwed was something I replayed in my head over and over again. Over the course of the class, however, I can say that at the most it helped me become a bit more hopeful about the future and at the very least it encouraged me to explore the issue in depth. Listed below is what I have taken away from all of the course readings and class discussions (because we are a culture of sound bites):
1. The world is changing and we are the reason.
2. Most of the changes are not a result of the current situation but a delayed reaction to past activities.
3. That does not absolve us from blame or responsibility.
4. There is no single perfect solution that will save us from imminent destruction.
5. The answer might be a composition of different ideas.
6. Individual action is great but things need to happen on a global scale if we ever want to seriously tackle the problem.
7. The Earth is worth fighting for.
While reading Paul Hawken’s “The Most Amazing Challenge”, two simple sentences stood out to me because it so perfectly described the wave of emotions that I experience every single time I think of the environmental challenge. “If you look at the science about what is happening on Earth and aren’t pessimistic, you don’t understand the date. But, if you meet the people who are working to restore this Earth and the lives of the poor, and you aren’t optimistic, you haven’t got a pulse.”
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Going Rogue
Boulder, CO is famously one of the most liberal places in America, and is also my home. About half-an-hour from downtown Boulder is another small, largely liberal town, Longmont, CO. Longmont doesn't typically feature in national debates about much of anything, even the attention drawn to the town due to CO's position as a swing state this election cycle was a bit of a surprise. This November changed things.
This November, Longmont passed Ballot Initiative 300, which made the process known as "fracking" illegal within city limits. The measure to put the ban in the city charter no less, passed with 60 percent of the vote. Longmont is not the first town to establish such measures, but its story is certainly remarkable. Over the past few years, the natural gas industry has been paying more attention to similar, citizen-initiated measures, which would piecemeal eliminate the development of new fracking sites. In Longmont , the natural gas industry invested heavily to defeat the measure - I've heard figures that range from between $300,000-$500,000 - in quantities that dwarf fundraising from grassroots advocacy groups.
Criticism of Ballot Initiative 300 has focused on its inability to stand up to the inevitable wave of litigation from the natural gas industry, state, and federal government. The Daily Times Call quoted Governor John D. Hickenlooper in September 2012 saying, "'There's nothing worse than being a governor in a legal battle with one of your own municipalities,' he said. 'But I don't see any alternative.'"
It is unlikely that the initiative will be able to stand up in court; but despite its lack of long-term effectiveness, the initiative has other values. First, the ban is a new, unprecedented example of locally based action overcoming large industrial investment. Second, the ban has started new discussions, and rekindled existing debates over the expansion and development of fracking sites in and around residential areas. Finally, the success of the initiative means that both industry and various levels of government will have to start taking local concerns more seriously.
I believe Longmont's Ballot Initiative 300 is an appropriate response to an environmental issue because it uses existing leverage points to draw attention to environmental concerns, empower local communities, and demonstrate the power of grassroots organizing. Longmont, in passing such a measure, has to some extent gone rogue - instead of waiting for state and federal regulation of fracking, the city has struck out to determine its own future. Regardless of the long term success or failure of the initiative, Longmont's given me hope that even small, seemingly unimportant communities can make a big difference for environmental issues on the national stage.
Monday, November 12, 2012
United States-Indonesian Comprehensive Partnership
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=67613
The article outlines some positive results that
have emerged from the United States-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership. It is
a long-term commitment between the two nations to address issues related to
security, economy, development, the environment, and education among other many
other issues. The Environment and Climate Change working group within the
partnership has tasked with the job of identifying opportunities of economic
growth for Indonesia while mitigating climate change. Some of the actions that
they have either implemented or in the process of implementing includes a
debt-for-nature swap in which the U.S. forgives a certain amount of Indonesian
debt in exchange for Indonesian commitments to protect forests and reduce gas
emissions from deforestation. Another program that is detailed in depth in the
article is the establishment of 450,00 hectares of marine protected areas. As
detailed in the article, one of the key areas of cooperation detailed in the
partnership was environmental cooperation. The sustainable marine reserve park
is a prime example of an effective and replicable response to an environmental
challenge. The most important development that came out of the initiative was
the transfer of responsibility for maintaining and monitoring the reserve from
government officials to local fisherman whose livelihood were directly affected
by the success of the reserve.
Environmental issues are often stalled in the
international arena; the Kyoto protocol, and most recently the Copenhagen
Summit in 2011—the latest international attempt in addressing leading
environmental issues—did not produce significant deliverables in the global
campaign against climate change. The environmental provisions in the United
States-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, on the other hand, stand as
effective forms of action.
The provisions’ success (measured by the
concrete programs in place and level of current implementation) was possible
for a number of reasons. First is the political willingness of Indonesian
president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Yudhoyono in the 2012 Rio Summit became
developing country leader that unilaterally pledged to reduce carbon emissions
by 25 percent by 2025. Indonesia’s success will reduce global emissions by 7%,
well ahead of the Millennium Development Goal’s requirements. Moreover, by
accepting Indonesia’s role as the world’s third largest carbon emitter,
Yudhoyono has effectively reversed the traditional developing country stance of
blaming the west regarding environmental issues.
Second, the reason plans extended into the
implementation phase was the way international environmental groups, United
States agencies and donors such as Norway made this possible was by framing
environmental concerns as a security concern; Along Indonesia’s coastal areas,
residents derive 70% of their protein from fish. Thus, for the Indonesian
government, protecting maritime resources became intertwined with the economic
livelihood and security of their citizens. Moreover, protecting natural
resources fell within ASEAN goals of regional integration.
Lastly, Indonesia’s growing economy makes renewable energy, green and
blue markets desirable sectors for investment. Thus, it was within the
Indonesia’s best interest to boost their economy by focusing on environmentally
friendly sectors.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Environmental Individualization: Promise or Farce?
It seems to be clear that the greatest environmental innovations and achievements are not happening at the state or the international level. Most countries, with the exception of a few northern European states, have failed to address climate change, and international meetings, treaties, and organizations have unequivocally failed in solving the greatest environmental challenges of our time. Many of the blogs and websites given focus on individual achievements, despite the fact that it remains to be seen how effective Michael Maniates' individualization of responsibility is in addressing major environmental issues. Many, including Maniates, would argue that such individual action is merely a smoke-and-mirrors distraction from working towards broad country or international level solutions.
Yet, it is also impossible to entirely write off innovative (and individual) solutions to environmental issues. These solutions emphasize the power of human ingenuity and creativity at addressing real and palpable issues. One such solution are the barter markets of Mexico City.
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/07/trading-recyclables-for-rosemary/?smid=pl-share
The barter markets of Mexico City essentially trade recycling for fresh, high quality, and locally grown produce, herbs, dairy products, eggs, and other items. Recycled items are exchanged for tickets that can then be used at local barter markets. The results have been hopeful: 2,000 exchanges each day, which equates to 20 tons of recyclables. The markets have become extremely popular, with certain premium items like eggs running out early in the day. They have also led many citizens to begin to sort their trash and recyclables.
This program has certainly been effective at reducing waste and encouraging recycling. It also provides the added bonus of giving participants the reward of healthy and local food. I cannot argue that the impact of the program is extensive. It is merely another small drop in the bucket. However, it has helped change the culture and mindset regarding waste in the surrounding neighborhoods. Mexico City has major issues with waste, and this program helps bring these issues to the forefront of the citizens of the city.
Furthermore, this program is easily replicable and because it is so simple, it gives me a glimmer of hope. Imagine such farmers markets in the poorest and most urban areas of the United States. Providing fresh food to people who rarely have access to such food in exchange for more sustainable waste practices. Similar programs are already in place in Brazil, and could be duplicated in much of the global south.
On an entirely side note. 4 teenage girls in Nigeria have developed a generator powered by human urine...pretty cool. http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/teenage-girls-invent-pee-powered-generator.html
Yet, it is also impossible to entirely write off innovative (and individual) solutions to environmental issues. These solutions emphasize the power of human ingenuity and creativity at addressing real and palpable issues. One such solution are the barter markets of Mexico City.
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/07/trading-recyclables-for-rosemary/?smid=pl-share
The barter markets of Mexico City essentially trade recycling for fresh, high quality, and locally grown produce, herbs, dairy products, eggs, and other items. Recycled items are exchanged for tickets that can then be used at local barter markets. The results have been hopeful: 2,000 exchanges each day, which equates to 20 tons of recyclables. The markets have become extremely popular, with certain premium items like eggs running out early in the day. They have also led many citizens to begin to sort their trash and recyclables.
This program has certainly been effective at reducing waste and encouraging recycling. It also provides the added bonus of giving participants the reward of healthy and local food. I cannot argue that the impact of the program is extensive. It is merely another small drop in the bucket. However, it has helped change the culture and mindset regarding waste in the surrounding neighborhoods. Mexico City has major issues with waste, and this program helps bring these issues to the forefront of the citizens of the city.
Furthermore, this program is easily replicable and because it is so simple, it gives me a glimmer of hope. Imagine such farmers markets in the poorest and most urban areas of the United States. Providing fresh food to people who rarely have access to such food in exchange for more sustainable waste practices. Similar programs are already in place in Brazil, and could be duplicated in much of the global south.
On an entirely side note. 4 teenage girls in Nigeria have developed a generator powered by human urine...pretty cool. http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/teenage-girls-invent-pee-powered-generator.html
Sports, Development, and the Environment
While browsing the projects on the recommended "World Changing" website, I was intrigued by the "Stadium/Sports facility" tab. As a lifelong athlete, I am a huge proponent of sports of a means of social and community development. Involving youth in sports is enormously beneficial to their personal growth and can also prevent them from getting involved in detrimental activities such as drug use, crime, etc. From a community perspective, sports can provide a unifying effect whether through a team to root for or a place to gather. I had, however, never considered that the construction of a stadium or other athletic facility could be an environmental project until I stumbled across this project: http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/esperance
The link above provides the description for a soccer stadium/community center in Kimisagara, Rwanda. This project is part of FIFA's larger Football for Hope campaign which broadly aims to provide health, educational, and economic opportunities for disadvantaged youth especially but to the community as whole through the context of sport. The Kimisagara pitch is located on the the campus of a primary school, and in addition to offering a space to play soccer/football in both an organized and unorganized fashion, the space offers classes on healthcare and other issues, a library, a healthcare center, and a space for microcredit and other informal economic activities. As such, the program has a clear social and economic development focus.
Admittedly, Football for Hope does not have a strict environmental focus, but the movement emphasizes sustainable development and constructs facilities in a manner to minimize environmental impact. The Kimisagara stadium, for instance, was constructed largely with local materials, minimizing transportation costs (both monetary and environmental); has a rainwater collection system to provide water for the facility; has planted trees throughout the facility; and is constructed in a manner to make it so air conditioning is unnecessary. Another Football for Hope facility being constructed in Nairobi, Kenya uses power generated by wind turbines and includes a community garden. These projects represent the type of sustainable development that allows underdeveloped countries the opportunity to develop without having the same detrimental impact that traditional development/industrialization has had.
Football for Hope, fittingly, gives me hope because it addresses a number of developmental issues including economic initiatives as well as education. Further, it centers around sports, which I love, and is a fantastic example of corporate social responsibility. As an aside, this type of project is the reason why I objected to the absolute anti-corporate stance of the "Story of Stuff" video that we watched in class a while back. Large corporations such as FIFA have enormous potential and the financial resources to engage in sustainable development. A major issue with many development projects is that they are not sustainable due to financial constraints. Football for Hope, because it is bankrolled by FIFA, is more likely to avoid this problem.
Admittedly, Football for Hope does not have a strict environmental focus, but the movement emphasizes sustainable development and constructs facilities in a manner to minimize environmental impact. The Kimisagara stadium, for instance, was constructed largely with local materials, minimizing transportation costs (both monetary and environmental); has a rainwater collection system to provide water for the facility; has planted trees throughout the facility; and is constructed in a manner to make it so air conditioning is unnecessary. Another Football for Hope facility being constructed in Nairobi, Kenya uses power generated by wind turbines and includes a community garden. These projects represent the type of sustainable development that allows underdeveloped countries the opportunity to develop without having the same detrimental impact that traditional development/industrialization has had.
Football for Hope, fittingly, gives me hope because it addresses a number of developmental issues including economic initiatives as well as education. Further, it centers around sports, which I love, and is a fantastic example of corporate social responsibility. As an aside, this type of project is the reason why I objected to the absolute anti-corporate stance of the "Story of Stuff" video that we watched in class a while back. Large corporations such as FIFA have enormous potential and the financial resources to engage in sustainable development. A major issue with many development projects is that they are not sustainable due to financial constraints. Football for Hope, because it is bankrolled by FIFA, is more likely to avoid this problem.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
You're not supposed to be here...
Unfortunately, the only quote I could come up for a title with was from Game of Thrones, and it was from a very minor character, so the image associated with it would be lost. Regardless... with respect to this class I have recently geeked out about two things: Thorium and Aquaponics. I will always love thorium, I mean how can you not. It's great. Look at that electron cloud.
Th = <3
Aquaponics, my other new found love, represents a huge potential solution to a wide range of urban food roduction problems. This story specifically focuses on Eric Maundu, a trained industrial robotics technician, has taken to the growing trend among Do-it-Yourself tinkers and tried to grown food in barren, urban locations. Maundu has blended his electronic expertise with his interest in urban enrichment, by making color-powered, technology controlled farms to create food for the user.
http://faircompanies.com/videos/view/internet-food-arduino-based-urban-aquaponics-in-oakland/
I feel that this type of action represents a huge step forward in environmentally conscious action because unlike encouraging recycling or driving less, aquaponics puts much more tangible power and results into the hands of the users. People will be able to farm themselves, take their own produce and consume and sell with, without relying on the larger consumerist system. If all of the farms were to use Eric Maundu's technology, then the farms will only have an initial cost of supplies, water and solar cells, then the production is entirely out of the influence of large corporate, or public systems.
Because the supplies for an aquaponics farm do not require specialized equipment or skills to set up and run, I feel that this is an easily repeatable project. The only barrier would be the initial cost of setting up the project, but I see city grants taking care of some of these problems.
Projects like this give me a lot of hope, because I think that part of the reason there is so much apathy to environmental causes is that we have lost our connection to the land. In urban settings especially people hardly know what a tree is, let alone where food comes from. I believe that putting the land back into people's hands will rekindle their concern for the natural world.
Th = <3http://faircompanies.com/videos/view/internet-food-arduino-based-urban-aquaponics-in-oakland/
I feel that this type of action represents a huge step forward in environmentally conscious action because unlike encouraging recycling or driving less, aquaponics puts much more tangible power and results into the hands of the users. People will be able to farm themselves, take their own produce and consume and sell with, without relying on the larger consumerist system. If all of the farms were to use Eric Maundu's technology, then the farms will only have an initial cost of supplies, water and solar cells, then the production is entirely out of the influence of large corporate, or public systems.
Because the supplies for an aquaponics farm do not require specialized equipment or skills to set up and run, I feel that this is an easily repeatable project. The only barrier would be the initial cost of setting up the project, but I see city grants taking care of some of these problems.
Projects like this give me a lot of hope, because I think that part of the reason there is so much apathy to environmental causes is that we have lost our connection to the land. In urban settings especially people hardly know what a tree is, let alone where food comes from. I believe that putting the land back into people's hands will rekindle their concern for the natural world.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Meditations
This question is so appropriate with only a few weeks before Thanksgiving. I have been so lucky in my life, having had a number of exhilarating experiences, isolated, in wonder with nature. Some of my favorite experiences have been out backpacking the Wind River Range in Wyoming, hiking around on the burren in Ireland, and climbing to the top of the highest waterfall in Australia to look down as the water literally turned into mist beneath us. I've been so lucky. When I search my memories for the most exhilarating/magical/thrilling experience, however, I keep coming back to a handful of experiences I had looking at trees back home in Colorado during the summer after Freshman year.
After finishing my first year of college I was so relieved to be going home. I took up a job with the Boulder County Youth Corps as a assistant forestry team leader for a group of 10 teenagers. We were responsible for pulling the slash and dried logs left in previous years by chainsaw teams, working to prevent wildfires in the front range. The task was grueling, but as the summer wore on, I became accustomed to it, and was able to appreciate my surroundings and the people I was working with. I remember in particular one afternoon at the end of a long, hot work day. It began to rain just before we had to head back home, and it crescendoed into a downpour. All 12 of us ran down the mountain to our van through the trees, covered in mud. When we made it out of the forest, laughing and trying not to trip on the uneven ground there was a rainbow to the East, and gilded clouds illuminated by the low sun.
Looking back, that summer was one of the most important times as I have tried to discover myself, and what I value. Working in the forest, interacting with nature every day with all its hardships and thrills, grounded me - bringing me back down from my DC/SIS rush. So, yes - nature is worth preserving. But it was not only the trees, the dirt, and the sun that made that summer (and every summer with the Youth Corps since then) so extraordinary; it was also the people I was with. Nature is best enjoyed with people, despite what the Thoreaus of the world might have you believe. The best part of nature is the fact that we are a dynamic part of it, something worth preserving because it unites us as all as something we depend on, and as a common denominator for humanity. The conservationist ideal of a sterile wilderness is misleading, because we can never see nature for what it truly is. Every time we engage with our natural surroundings we make new meanings of it by virtue of our presence. When we make such meaning alone, we learn about ourselves; but when we make sure meaning together, we learn about ourselves as a species.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Leaves as toilet paper and preserving the planet
My first memories and experiences with nature were strapped the my father's back at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I remember the rocky beach along Lake Michigan, the ponds filled with bull frogs, and the deer silently moving in the forest. I was and still am blessed to have been exposed to nature at such a young age (basically since I was born). It led me to the most peculiar Halloween costume in first grade: Aldo Leopold.
It is doubtful that any of my classmates dressed as Power Rangers, ninjas, or princesses knew who I was, but I went to school that day in my hiking boots and safari vest, with a pair of binoculars around my neck and a copy of Sand County Almanac clutched in my hand. Needless to say, I was a bit unusual for my age.
Thinking about my most thrilling/magical/enchanting engagement in nature is almost impossible. Is it the first time I caught a frog with my hands? Seeing the sun rise at the Grand Canyon? Feeling the power of the rapids with whitewater kayaking on the Snake River? Sleeping under endless stars on the beaches of Olympic National Park? My life has been blessed with experiences in nature. My parents have instilled it upon me and have given me the opportunity to pursue new adventures. It is important that we acknowledge that many children don't get the chance to have such experiences. That is only part of the reason why we must continue to fight to preserve the natural environment.
My most enchanting experience in nature would have to be on my first Outward Bound Trip to Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The highlight was backpacking in the Bitterroot Mountains whose steep ridges, valley lakes, and endless sky made my heart race. What made this experience unique is that I was reading Undaunted Courage while on the backpacking trip. Reading about Lewis and Clark's experiences along the same trails made each mile a recreation of one of the most important forays into the natural unknown in American history.
That trip tested me physically, but more importantly moved me mentally. I still have the journal that I kept on those trails (though it certainly is no Sand County Almanac or Walden). Perhaps the best line is, "Leaves make really great toilet paper, so soft. I love this trip so much!" Sometimes I question what my 13 year old self was thinking.
The reason we must "save nature" is that every child deserves to feel the same sense of wonderment I felt while hiking through the Bitterroots. Every child, no matter of their wealth, race, gender, or religion, should be able to connect in some way to the beauty that the world has to offer. Genesis sets man as "stewards" of Earth. A steward is a caretaker, someone who cares for something for someone else. We are all stewards of Earth for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Nature is something that all human beings (present and future) have the right to enjoy, preserving it is not a choice, it is an obligation.
It is doubtful that any of my classmates dressed as Power Rangers, ninjas, or princesses knew who I was, but I went to school that day in my hiking boots and safari vest, with a pair of binoculars around my neck and a copy of Sand County Almanac clutched in my hand. Needless to say, I was a bit unusual for my age.
Thinking about my most thrilling/magical/enchanting engagement in nature is almost impossible. Is it the first time I caught a frog with my hands? Seeing the sun rise at the Grand Canyon? Feeling the power of the rapids with whitewater kayaking on the Snake River? Sleeping under endless stars on the beaches of Olympic National Park? My life has been blessed with experiences in nature. My parents have instilled it upon me and have given me the opportunity to pursue new adventures. It is important that we acknowledge that many children don't get the chance to have such experiences. That is only part of the reason why we must continue to fight to preserve the natural environment.
My most enchanting experience in nature would have to be on my first Outward Bound Trip to Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The highlight was backpacking in the Bitterroot Mountains whose steep ridges, valley lakes, and endless sky made my heart race. What made this experience unique is that I was reading Undaunted Courage while on the backpacking trip. Reading about Lewis and Clark's experiences along the same trails made each mile a recreation of one of the most important forays into the natural unknown in American history.
That trip tested me physically, but more importantly moved me mentally. I still have the journal that I kept on those trails (though it certainly is no Sand County Almanac or Walden). Perhaps the best line is, "Leaves make really great toilet paper, so soft. I love this trip so much!" Sometimes I question what my 13 year old self was thinking.
The reason we must "save nature" is that every child deserves to feel the same sense of wonderment I felt while hiking through the Bitterroots. Every child, no matter of their wealth, race, gender, or religion, should be able to connect in some way to the beauty that the world has to offer. Genesis sets man as "stewards" of Earth. A steward is a caretaker, someone who cares for something for someone else. We are all stewards of Earth for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Nature is something that all human beings (present and future) have the right to enjoy, preserving it is not a choice, it is an obligation.
Jeju Island
I was born in the countryside of
Vietnam but I have only ever known the city landscape. You don’t really get
much interaction with nature in the city so I felt disconnected with the
natural environment. That changed when I studied abroad in South Korea in the
spring of my junior year. The most
enchanting and magical experience I have ever had with nature was on a weeklong
trip with friends to an island off of the Korean peninsula called Jeju Island. Jeju Island is famous in South Korea as
a popular spot for honeymoons. It is often labeled as the Hawaii of South
Korea. The island is particularly known for their sweet and unique breed of
oranges, called Hallabang, and scuba diving grandmothers. It is a tiny island
but it is packed with a variety of landscapes ranging from beaches to caves to mountains.
On my second day on the island, I
traveled by ferry to a small island off Jeju Island called Udo. Udo is 2.28
square miles and resembles the shape of a cow lying down. You can go through
the entire island on a motorbike in 1 hour (4 if you stopped to take pictures
and enjoy the scenery like I did). My friends and I did just that. We rented
ATVs and just took off on the island with little more than a cartoon map that I
found on the ferry. On the island, there were 3 beaches with different types of
sand – coral, white sand, and soft tan colored sand. Being on the coral sand
was amazing (although killer on the feet). The water was completely crystal
clear and just seemed to glisten in the bright but not overhearing sun. Being
from around the DC metropolitan area, I have been too accustomed to the murky
sand water in Ocean City, MD). I have never been in water that is so clear that
you can see your own feet! The beach seemed to stretch on for miles with only
the outline of Jeju Island visible in the background.
Standing on the pristine beach in
the warmth of sunshine was when it hit me. That’s when I thought about how
there are tons of little gems like this in the world. Although it seems like we
have conquered every surface of the Earth, there is still so much left that we
have yet to explore. Maybe it’s best if we leave it that way but standing on
that much made me realize that nature should be preserved. That beach was not
created overnight. It was formed through hundreds of years of the same repetitive
action. In our society, as long as you have money, you can create whatever you
want, even your own artificial beach. However, it will never have the same
sentimental value like something that has literally hundreds of years of
history and stories to tell.
I have always through I was a
cosmopolitan girl. The idea of living in a rural area makes me uncomfortable.
Even living in the suburbs is dreadful enough. I love skyscrapers, lights,
excitement, and activity. But being on that island made me want to stay and
slow down my pace of life. I wanted to enjoy the simpler things in life because
they may not be there in that perfect state forever given our increasingly
detrimental influence on the environment.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Are you crazy? The fall with probably kill you...
Being from Arkansas and having a family business right on the river, I have spent many hours paddling the Buffalo River which is normally not terribly wild. During a summer weekend, we were on the road to the start of our path when the sky opened up. As if the old god Poseidon awoke from his slumber to find humans no longer worshiped him, the rains came down in vengeful sheets. The river was already swollen from the weekend storms, and this one was just too much. By the time we reached our put-in, the river had already flooded. The normally docile put-in had turned into a roaring beast devouring trees and the banks. Intrigued by the new landscape, the four of us jumped into our kayaks and were swept down the river. I found myself paddling through trees which I had been hiking past and climbing the week before. Whirlpools and new paths threw me left and right, and I spent as much time out of my kayak as I did in it. Normally I was confident on the river, but that day, I knew that the water was in command, and I had to respect its domain.
The river continued to throw me down its path. What was normally a four hour paddle was quickly coming to a close in under three. And with the continued rains, it was only getting more vicious. Over the booming thunder, I heard the distinct howl of crashing water. Because of the flood the river's path had straightened and I was headed straight for a ledge. In the speed of the water, I had no time to correct my course, so I could only go over. Relying purely on instinct and adrenaline, I dug into the river to straighten my kayak and then threw my hands up with my paddle and let the current take me. A rock, hidden under the rushing white water, caught my kayak at the perfect angle and knocked me sideways. Before I could process what was happening, I felt myself slide from the seat and tumble through the air. I arched through the rain and the river below me quickly approached. With a hard splash, I was underwater and tumbling through the current. I surfaced a few moments later pinned to a nearly submerged tree branch and still shocked by what had happened.
My kayak floated down to me and I slid back in. After the waterfall, the river seemed to mystically calm as the flood opened up into a field. I silently glided through the submerged grazing land and, overwhelmed by the complete silence I was surrounded by. It was eerie, and I felt incredibly small in the wake of the flood waters which erased the field and nearby road.
Saving nature is of utmost importance to our livelihood. Regardless of how much we try to command and control nature, we still have a primal relationship with it. Beyond the physiological needs, man seems to be spiritually connected to earth. In our cities, we plant trees, to bring a little bit of nature with us when we leave her embrace. We put flowers in our windows, plants on our balconies and grass in our yards. There is still something mystical about being out in a field with the wind blowing around us. Even the most sheltered sterile people I know who were born and will die in a city, cannot escape the appeal of going out for hiking, even it it just means walking through the woods. It's a place where we can quiet our minds and replenish our spirit. When people take vacations, especially those who work in cities, they end up traveling to natural locations. We even bring nature into ours homes in the form of domesticated animals. For eons, religions have centered around nature, and some still exist today including Shintoism and Animism. It is the purist of finding a new wilderness that fuels our desire to find new life, or exist on other planets. So many motivations come from our relationship with nature, and our need to participate in it.
Despite our push toward urbanization, I don't feel is it were man is truly supposed to exist. At our core, we are animals and you can only cage a beast or so long before it needs to be freed.
Monday, October 22, 2012
The Jungle for the 21st Century
In 1906, Upton Sinclair published The Jungle, a book that would go on to redefine the American food industry. Vivid descriptions of workers falling into vats of meat and ending up inside sausages or cans captivated the American public, and precipitated the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act. The food industry needs The Jungle for the 21st Century.
In many senses, the American people are spoiled by large quantities of easily accessible food. While food deserts exist in many poor urban areas, access the food (albeit of low quality "fast food" or of minimal nutritional content) is unparalleled in the United States. Well stocked shelves and a cornucopia of choices has left the American public disillusioned about the realities of their food. Industrial processing plants, monocultures, and feed pens with thousands of cattle are beyond the scope of the collective consciousness.
A new "Jungle" must implore consumers to reconnect with their food, to understand the who (who planted it, raised it, and harvested it), the where (where does it come from), and the how (how did it end up on my plate). Changes within the food industry can only occur with public pressure. The effectiveness of the Cesar Chavez led the Grape Protests of 1960s shows that widespread public outcry is what moves industry, not a pure sense of moral duty.
It is important to note that before continuing to envision the food industry in 50 years, the accomplishments of the past century must be acknowledged. People around the world are being fed at greater rates than ever before. Food has never been more nutritious or safer, and more is being produced than ever before. However, despite these achievements, there is no reason to not continue to improve the food and agriculture industry.
The next 50 years will not be an undoing of the previous 50. Instead, the future of the food industry--the vision moving forward--is one of increased environmental awareness and social responsibility. As it stands today, organic agriculture is growing faster than traditional agriculture; this trend will continue. However, the changes over the next 50 years will be even more dramatic.
By 2020, increased concerns about food health and safety as it relates to where food is produced will lead to new labeling systems that will identify exactly where a product is made. This information will also include the total distance the the various substances in the product have traveled. American consumers will fear "Made in China" in terms of food, far more than they fear "Made in China" in terms of toys or clothes.
The current trend in localvorism will continue as more families grow their own produce. Urban rooftop gardens, school gardens, and community gardens will become commonplace in an echo of an earlier generation. Furthermore, gardening as a form of patriotism (akin to the Victory Gardens of WWII), will be normalized.
A recent study published by USDA researcher Adam Davis, supports the concept of sustainable farming in concert with dramatic reductions in pesticides and chemical use. Davis and his colleagues advocate for an integration of the industrial and the organic (similar to Raj Patel). Wired Magazine and Mark Bittman both recently covered the study (http://bit.ly/Rj0gV8 and http://nyti.ms/R8sfZY). Bittman says it best:
"The results were stunning: The longer rotations produced better yields of both corn and soy, reduced the need for nitrogen fertilizer and herbicides by up to 88 percent, reduced the amounts of toxins in groudwater 200-fold and didn't reduce profits by a single cent."
One final idea (or vision) for the future of food has three body segments, six legs, antenna, and compound eyes. Yes. Bugs. High in protein, cheap to produce, and low impact of for the environment, insects have been eaten around the world but are rarely used in Western cuisine. In an extreme shift, bugs and food become commonplace. Major social shifts must occur to get over the "ick" factor, but once celebrities, athletes, and music icons are seen chomping on some fried crickets or a tarantula on a stick, Americans will be hooked. In all seriousness, the consumption of insects as food may be the best way to feed billions of people while also preserving the planet. However, the hurdles facing such a change seem almost insurmountable.
A brighter future of food can only occur through public pressure and change. There have been many "mini-Jungles" over the past decade, The Omnivore's Dilemma or Super-Size Me, but American's hearts need a seminal, earth-shattering story to change their stomachs.
In many senses, the American people are spoiled by large quantities of easily accessible food. While food deserts exist in many poor urban areas, access the food (albeit of low quality "fast food" or of minimal nutritional content) is unparalleled in the United States. Well stocked shelves and a cornucopia of choices has left the American public disillusioned about the realities of their food. Industrial processing plants, monocultures, and feed pens with thousands of cattle are beyond the scope of the collective consciousness.
A new "Jungle" must implore consumers to reconnect with their food, to understand the who (who planted it, raised it, and harvested it), the where (where does it come from), and the how (how did it end up on my plate). Changes within the food industry can only occur with public pressure. The effectiveness of the Cesar Chavez led the Grape Protests of 1960s shows that widespread public outcry is what moves industry, not a pure sense of moral duty.
It is important to note that before continuing to envision the food industry in 50 years, the accomplishments of the past century must be acknowledged. People around the world are being fed at greater rates than ever before. Food has never been more nutritious or safer, and more is being produced than ever before. However, despite these achievements, there is no reason to not continue to improve the food and agriculture industry.
The next 50 years will not be an undoing of the previous 50. Instead, the future of the food industry--the vision moving forward--is one of increased environmental awareness and social responsibility. As it stands today, organic agriculture is growing faster than traditional agriculture; this trend will continue. However, the changes over the next 50 years will be even more dramatic.
By 2020, increased concerns about food health and safety as it relates to where food is produced will lead to new labeling systems that will identify exactly where a product is made. This information will also include the total distance the the various substances in the product have traveled. American consumers will fear "Made in China" in terms of food, far more than they fear "Made in China" in terms of toys or clothes.
The current trend in localvorism will continue as more families grow their own produce. Urban rooftop gardens, school gardens, and community gardens will become commonplace in an echo of an earlier generation. Furthermore, gardening as a form of patriotism (akin to the Victory Gardens of WWII), will be normalized.
A recent study published by USDA researcher Adam Davis, supports the concept of sustainable farming in concert with dramatic reductions in pesticides and chemical use. Davis and his colleagues advocate for an integration of the industrial and the organic (similar to Raj Patel). Wired Magazine and Mark Bittman both recently covered the study (http://bit.ly/Rj0gV8 and http://nyti.ms/R8sfZY). Bittman says it best:
"The results were stunning: The longer rotations produced better yields of both corn and soy, reduced the need for nitrogen fertilizer and herbicides by up to 88 percent, reduced the amounts of toxins in groudwater 200-fold and didn't reduce profits by a single cent."
One final idea (or vision) for the future of food has three body segments, six legs, antenna, and compound eyes. Yes. Bugs. High in protein, cheap to produce, and low impact of for the environment, insects have been eaten around the world but are rarely used in Western cuisine. In an extreme shift, bugs and food become commonplace. Major social shifts must occur to get over the "ick" factor, but once celebrities, athletes, and music icons are seen chomping on some fried crickets or a tarantula on a stick, Americans will be hooked. In all seriousness, the consumption of insects as food may be the best way to feed billions of people while also preserving the planet. However, the hurdles facing such a change seem almost insurmountable.
A brighter future of food can only occur through public pressure and change. There have been many "mini-Jungles" over the past decade, The Omnivore's Dilemma or Super-Size Me, but American's hearts need a seminal, earth-shattering story to change their stomachs.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Freeze-Dried Filet Mignon from Space Is the Future of Food
Only kidding, but it might be as revolutionary.
50 years ago it was the fall of 1962 in America. The thin wartime days of rationing were but a distant memory, and the consumption of meats, fats, fruits, all forms of calories really, were on the rise. Back then it was in vogue to host dinner parties, barbeques, potlucks, cocktail parties as a display of affluence and luxury. Foreign dishes and imported foods bespoke the globalization of food culture and the increasing ease of long distance transportation; and junk food was beginning to be the calorie of choice for a herd of young baby boomers. While it may seem mundane to us, the food culture of the 1960's was indicative of a time of change and the availability of cheap and plentiful energy.
You can see the roots of our current American food system even back in the 60's, so perhaps through some reflection on today we can discover the roots of a future food system.
The crucial decision for the future of the American food will be whether we opt, as a society, to reduce our energy use through a slew of energy policies, or whether we wait for the price of energy to rise due to dwindling resources and increasing demand. Either way, it is inevitable that the fossil fuel economy will not be able to support our current patterns of consumption indefinitely. Transportation, packaging, processing, growing, harvesting, fertilizing, and storing food all rely on cheap energy, without which prices would greatly exceed demand.
This will mean big change for the way a large majority of Americans get their food. Fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains will begin to occupy a limited space and time, meaning we won't be able to get whatever we want, whenever we want. All of the fossil fuels that went into making the grocery store a veritable cornucopia will no longer be available, requiring a bit more thought when it comes to self-provisioning.
I'm optimistic. I believe that our creativity will allow us to start making food a more purposeful and planned experience integrated into more aspects of our daily lives. We'll involve more people in the process of getting food from the seed to the plate. The milkman and the mailman might team up in an effort to cut costs and energy use; or perhaps we will make full use of neighborhood groups that encourage and teach food preparation of more processed goods like butter, beer, and other crucial items.
A lack of cheap energy will also limit where and when we can grow our food, and, as a corollary, what we can grow. Small farms and gardens will be encouraged and facilitated as a way to supplement what comes into urban areas from medium-sized, family farms on the periphery. Without cheap transportation and farms based on economies of scale we're going to have to eat winter squash in the winter, and summer squash in the summer with fewer non-seasonal exceptions. Perhaps there is still a role for groceries 50 years from now, but if so they'll have to be based on a co-op model - owned and operated by the people that supply them - rather than the Krogers, Giants, and Woolworths of the world.
To me, this sounds fun. I'm excited to take on the challenge of being more purposeful in my eating habits, and of working with others to provision myself and those I love. It's not all doom and gloom in a post-Carbon world.
50 years ago it was the fall of 1962 in America. The thin wartime days of rationing were but a distant memory, and the consumption of meats, fats, fruits, all forms of calories really, were on the rise. Back then it was in vogue to host dinner parties, barbeques, potlucks, cocktail parties as a display of affluence and luxury. Foreign dishes and imported foods bespoke the globalization of food culture and the increasing ease of long distance transportation; and junk food was beginning to be the calorie of choice for a herd of young baby boomers. While it may seem mundane to us, the food culture of the 1960's was indicative of a time of change and the availability of cheap and plentiful energy.
You can see the roots of our current American food system even back in the 60's, so perhaps through some reflection on today we can discover the roots of a future food system.
The crucial decision for the future of the American food will be whether we opt, as a society, to reduce our energy use through a slew of energy policies, or whether we wait for the price of energy to rise due to dwindling resources and increasing demand. Either way, it is inevitable that the fossil fuel economy will not be able to support our current patterns of consumption indefinitely. Transportation, packaging, processing, growing, harvesting, fertilizing, and storing food all rely on cheap energy, without which prices would greatly exceed demand.
This will mean big change for the way a large majority of Americans get their food. Fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains will begin to occupy a limited space and time, meaning we won't be able to get whatever we want, whenever we want. All of the fossil fuels that went into making the grocery store a veritable cornucopia will no longer be available, requiring a bit more thought when it comes to self-provisioning.
I'm optimistic. I believe that our creativity will allow us to start making food a more purposeful and planned experience integrated into more aspects of our daily lives. We'll involve more people in the process of getting food from the seed to the plate. The milkman and the mailman might team up in an effort to cut costs and energy use; or perhaps we will make full use of neighborhood groups that encourage and teach food preparation of more processed goods like butter, beer, and other crucial items.
A lack of cheap energy will also limit where and when we can grow our food, and, as a corollary, what we can grow. Small farms and gardens will be encouraged and facilitated as a way to supplement what comes into urban areas from medium-sized, family farms on the periphery. Without cheap transportation and farms based on economies of scale we're going to have to eat winter squash in the winter, and summer squash in the summer with fewer non-seasonal exceptions. Perhaps there is still a role for groceries 50 years from now, but if so they'll have to be based on a co-op model - owned and operated by the people that supply them - rather than the Krogers, Giants, and Woolworths of the world.
To me, this sounds fun. I'm excited to take on the challenge of being more purposeful in my eating habits, and of working with others to provision myself and those I love. It's not all doom and gloom in a post-Carbon world.
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