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Journal 8: Post-conceptions

In this class, I've learned about how we affect climate change and some of the steps taken to combat this (UN meetings, Pachamama Alliance, ECHO farm, etc.). My perception of the class now mostly stayed the same from the beginning of the semester since we discussed environmentalism and sustainability as expected. However, one thing that changed for me was learning how my industry (healthcare) contributes heavily to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. I underestimated the impact we have on the environment, and it made me feel more passionate about my service-learning project to start a recycling initiative within Lee Health.

I also had to examine my sense of place, which I didn't realize had an impact on the choices I make. I took for granted how Southwest Florida shaped me until Hurricane Ian came through and destroyed my hometown and shook my perceived sense of place. I realize that this area still represents a home for me and that living here makes me more conscientious about promoting sustainability. Living in an area frequented by tourists made me see how poorly they treat our natural areas. Thanks to the information I learned in this class, I have a newfound sense of purpose and can make more intentional decisions to be a better carer of the planet. I also enjoyed our conversations in class about what we read and how it impacted each of us. This class did a good job of reminding me that no matter how different each person is, we can all unite and make our small changes bigger and more impactful.

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Journal 7: Virtual Marine Studies Field Trip

Document one: The first video was a lecture by Jo Hughes, a Fort Myers Beach area resident for over 90 years. She spoke about how much the area has changed since childhood. One point she makes is how the landscape has changed, and the water doesn't flow the way it used to, which causes problems in the long term. Short-term impacts of destroyed marine environments are increased bacteria in the water, the landscape changing (shorelines being pushed out further), and increased presence of dead marine life. Long-term, this can impact water quality, as water can't flow as it used to and doesn't have pollutants filtered out properly. It can also impact tourism, as the increased bacteria in the water can deter people from going in the water or going near the beaches to keep from getting sick.

It's very clear that Mrs. Hughes' sense of place is the Fort Myers Beach/Estero area, and she's had to watch it go through development phases and some places be destroyed in the process. If I were in her position, I would feel forlorn and lost, seeing my sense of place be destroyed in that way. I would be very upset and disappointed that people would support or allow some of the island's development to occur. I would try to arrange and attend protests against the unsustainable destruction of the island and educate people on why it's important to keep the island the way it is and protect marine life in the area.

I don't think we should build on barrier islands because the islands protect us from erosion from the ocean and river. Building on these islands compromises their ability to protect us, and can actually do more harm if the structures on the barrier island are destroyed and the debris moves inland.

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Journal 6: Waste to Energy Facility

On this field trip, we learned about how Lee County contributes to sustainability and environmental protection. For me, this field trip was very impactful because I’ve felt discouraged by how much waste I’ve seen at beaches on the other coast and at my workplace.

One of my favorite parts of the field trip was learning the process in which our trash is converted into energy. I didn’t realize how simple it seems to be to convert heat and steam into electricity, and it makes me wonder why more cities don’t participate in this practice. It was cool to learn that Lee County is a leader of sorts in waste-to-energy production (or resource recovery) in the state. I also liked learning that you have to rinse our recyclables and not place them in a bag, so they can be properly sorted and recycled.

This may seem strange to say, but this was one of my favorite field trips so far. I want to make intentional change within my workplace to encourage proper recycling in our health system, because after doing research for my second essay and service-learning reflection, I’ve learned that my industry (healthcare) makes significant contributions to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. I feel very strongly that changes must be made because it’s counterintuitive to our mission to heal and cause no harm when we waste so many resources and energy in the process. I’m thankful that I got to see this part of resource recovery and learn more about where exactly my trash goes and how it’s being used for good instead of rotting away.

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Journal 5: Awakening the Dreamer Course

Overall, I really enjoyed the Awakening the Dreamer course. I liked that each section really examined the four questions we should ask ourselves when looking sustainability. I also liked the journal reflections in each section, because the questions asked weren't just on what information was retained, but how the information presented made me feel, and it asked questions that required more critical thought. I was forced to really think about how the course made me feel, and there was a moment where I cried because I was thinking about the society I would want to live in, and I felt hopeful at the thought of that coming to fruition.

A "wow" moment for me was seeing the list of organizations that are part of this movement. I sometimes feel like not many people really care about taking care of the earth and creating a more just and conscious society. I feel most people are very accepting and want to make a difference, but the people who feel otherwise tend to be louder, so it's hard to see who's on the side of justice. Seeing the list of organizations that share the same passion and are working towards the same goals made me feel like I really belonged to a community, something bigger than just me.

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Virtual Tour of ECHO Farm

ECHO is an acronym that stands for Educational Concerns for Haiti Organization, and was founded in the 1980s. Over the last 40 years, they have not only continued their outreach to Haiti, but have expanded their reach to Africa. They work with farmers to help them work more sustainably and make income to support their families. ECHO not only operates in Florida, but they have Impact Centers in Africa and Asia.

I learned that sustainability is about how things work together for a common goal. For instance, the tilapia eat the grasses that are fertilized in part by the ducks in the pond. In the pond ecosystem, both the ducks and tilapia work together to produce goods and food for farmers to sell and eat. I also learned that sustainability requires intentional action. ECHO has worked for over 40 years helping underprivileged communities be successful while also respecting the environment. Sustainability doesn't really happen in one day; it takes many small intentional actions.

Places like ECHO are important because they show us what it means to work with the Earth and respect the resources we're given by Mother Nature. For people who donate, they can visit the farm and see how their money is being used, both locally and globally. People who want to help their community can volunteer and see the impact of their time and efforts.

One example of adaptive technology is the keyhole garden. It's good for people who garden in small spaces, or for people who are disabled and can't navigate a traditional garden. One cool plant was the neem tree, which is a natural pest deterrent. Neem oil is good for ant bites as well, and flea control on pets. Farmers also plant neem trees by their livestock because pests will stay away, which improves the health of the livestock. Another plant of interest was bamboo, which grows quickly and in dry conditions.

One thing I learned during the virtual tour is about neem oil. I think I'll seek that out because it's a natural pest control solution, and I have to make sure things like that are safe for my cat, which neem oil seems to be pet-friendly.

I think it's important to grow a biodiversity of foods because many foods are seasonal, so if you only grow one type, it'll be gone within the season and you won't have anymore of that crop until the new season. But if you grow a lot of different foods, you'll always have new crops each season and you can have stable income if you're selling it, or have a steady supply of food if you're keeping it all for yourself. Different crops also help other crops grow by fertilizing the soil when they die, or providing nutrients while they're alive.

I think a good idea for eating more sustainably is to look into plant-based options. Raising livestock takes a lot of resources, but plants can grow faster and are generally healthier. I've eaten some plant-based meats in the past and the texture and taste are very similar to the real thing. Plus, I feel better knowing that I didn't consume something that might not be healthy for me (I have high cholesterol and have to avoid red meat and most animal byproducts).

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Reflection on Sustainability: Issues and Solutions

The colloquium from Tuesday and Thursday was very educational. One point that really stuck out to me was the conversations about food availability, and how low income areas suffer nutritionally because they have less access to "healthy" foods compared to higher income areas. It made me feel disappointed because I don't think access to health in any form (healthcare, nutrition, etc.) should be a privilege. I feel we all have a right to access healthy foods. I've gone through periods of food insecurity in my life, and it's given me a different perspective on how accessible food really is for some people. Restaurants regularly throw out food that is still technically good, instead of donating it to underserved areas.

Another point (from my group's topic) that stuck out to me was the section about different toxins that we're exposed to and polluting our planet with. Even before I worked in the hospital, I was aware that certain drugs can get into the drinking water and negatively affect people. It made me think of what toxins I've involuntarily ingested as a result. I think we're starting to see some of the effects these toxins can have on not only humans, but animals, plants, and our waterways, like with Lake Okeechobee.

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Ecological Footprint

Watching the video about our impact on the environment was very humbling. On some level, I'm aware of how I and other impact Earth, but seeing images of animal being affected made me feel disappointed in society. Animals don't have a choice in where they live because some can't survive in certain environments. They take what they need and don't hoard resources. So for humans to take more than they need and destroy their homes and ultimately kill these creatures should be unacceptable to anyone.

According to the Ecological Footprint Calculator, based on my responses, my Overshoot Day is March 12. This was surprising to me because I don't feel I do more than the average person. This date is also before Earth Overshoot Day, which is August 22. If everyone lived the way I do, we would need 5.1 Earths to sustain that lifestyle. This was also surprising to me, mainly because I didn't have a point of reference to go by when using the calculator. It definitely puts into perspective just how much of an impact one person can have on the environment.

Two areas I will try to work on is transportation and food consumption. I drive basically everywhere, and I understand that emits a lot of CO2 into the atmosphere. One thing I will try to do is carpool more, to reduce the impact travel has on the planet. Since I lost my car in the hurricane, I will look for cars that are fuel-efficient while still being affordable for me. At this time, an electric car isn't in my budget, but I can research MPG for cars that I'm interested in and make a good decision based on my driving habits.

As far as food goes, I already try to limit how much meat I consume because I have chronic high cholesterol. I understand that farming animals for food impacts the environment because of the methane they produce, as well as food waste and human waste. Moving forward, I will intentionally seek out meatless options that are made ethically and sustainably. I will also try to limit how often I consume something that uses plastic packaging, as plastic doesn't break down over time the way other materials do.

The parable of the hummingbird was so impactful to me. When it comes to being better stewards of the planet, we often look at big corporations that have a larger impact than we do, and some people use that to justify not being mindful of their choices when it comes to protecting the environment. But when the hummingbird said "I'm doing the best I can", it really struck a chord in me. Because all we can do is our best. And while we may feel our impact isn't significant, when every individual starts making choices to be better inhabitants of the planet, the impact can and will be felt. The planet and the animals can only do so much; we need to look at ourselves and ask, "what can I do to help the planet thrive?"

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Team presentation reflections (part one)

In the first round of presentations, I learned the definition of sustainability is to endure into the long-term future. I learned that we're already operating beyond Earth's capacity to sustain life indefinitely. I learned that many environmental laws were enacted in the 1970s, starting with the creation of NEPA, which would eventually become the EPA.

One wow moment for me was learning about the Lacey Act of 1900 that outlawed interstate transport of illegally killed wildlife. Another wow moment was learning that Theodore Roosevelt established Pelican Island in Florida as a national wildlife refuge. Those moments were particularly poignant for me because a lot of times, we think that the conversation about environmental protection is fairly recent, but this shows that it's been an ongoing conversations for over 100 years at least.

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Our first field trip was FGCU itself, walking through the campus and the nature trail. In its commitment to sustainability, FGCU has a lot of green spaces on campus (see first photo of the pavilion). This not only allows for beautiful places to study, but it helps incorporate nature into the university. We also have many sculptures and buildings on campus that use recycled materials (see second photo in front of Whitaker Hall). Seidler Hall is a great example, as it’s our only Platinum LEED certified building (see third photo taken inside Seidler). It has showers inside to encourage biking to campus versus carpooling. Our chillers are another fantastic example of FGCU committing to sustainability: the chillers freeze ice overnight, and as the ice melts, the buildings cool down (see fourth photo of chillers).

The nature trail (see fifth through ninth photos plus video) was alive and well, and very wet. We got to explore the natural diversity of each section of the trail. As we progressed, the water literally met us where we were; at one point, I was in water almost up to my chest! However, once we were forced to stop and really listen to the nature around us, the trudging through water and mud and roots seemed so…insignificant. If you listen to the video, you can hear the rain hitting the water. That was by far my favorite part of the trail (aside from getting into dry clothes!).

Being able to experience the nature trail really reinforced my sense of place. I have a couple mental health issues and have been dealing with a lot of personal issues on top of that. I forget that I’m not just a person experiencing the Universe; I am part of nature. I forget that disconnecting from the buildings and vehicles and even my phone is extremely beneficial and grounding. I loved listening to the rain in the cypress dome and watching the water bugs skitter across the surface. They seemed to have no concerns about the rain and thunder. It helped me enjoy the moment and find some much needed peace.

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Journal 1: Preconceptions and Sense of Place

My name is Halyn (she/they), and I'm currently majoring in Health Sciences. When I came into University Colloquium, I had the impression it was about environmentalism and sustainability, and how FGCU played a part in all of that. It seems like the rest of my group felt similarly. I've had friends that graduated from FGCU and described the class in this manner, so when I signed up for this class I expected to be primarily talking about environmentalism and sustainability.

I hope to learn more about how we fit into the ecosystem. I also hope to gain a better perspective on how I impact my environment and think of ways to be a better steward of the Earth.

I can connect this class to my major because healthcare is all about taking care of people, who play a huge role in the environment. However, working in healthcare has shown me how we can improve as far as moving away from single-use plastics (that aren't biodegradable), and even improving processes to produce medications.

To show my sense of place, I've included some photos of my partner and friends. I've lived in Florida since 1997, and haven't moved since then. My sense of place isn't so much tied to where I've grown up, as much as the people in my life.

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Self-Introduction

Hi, my name is Halyn (she/they). I am currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences. I am a sophomore and expect to have my Associate's at the end of this semester. I hope to learn more about sustainability and broaden my understanding of how to be a better steward of the environment.

Working in healthcare has made me very aware of how present single-use plastics are in the field. Part of my job includes mixing pediatric formula, and almost every single formula comes in a plastic container. We also use syringes and feed bottles that are plastic and usually end up thrown away. In fact, we don't separate the recyclable items from regular trash. The idea of a system-wide recycling program has been discussed in my department, but it's hard to know how to get that started. It's very disappointing that we continue to decimate our environment with single-use plastics instead of exploring more sustainable options (items made with biodegradable materials).