Elizabeth Barnwell
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Elizabeth Barnwell commented on Whose responsibility is environmentalism? on January 21, 2008, 5:15 PM
Environmentalism IS a shared responsibility and it is irresponsible to place it on the shoulders of a select few - especially if that select few doesn't believe that global warming is a problem. Everyone is responsible for the situation our environment is in because each of us is leaving a footprint that only a rise in sea level is going to cover. Environmentalism requires that we be smarter consumers and that we should demand producers be more environmentally conscious in regard to production and distribution processes. Environmentalism is more than just a word we use to describe our responsibility; it is an ideal, a passion, that we need to nurture and grow in order to ensure our continued existence. There is a general misconception that the earth is going to be destroyed if we don't become more environmental. It is a misconception because the earth won't be destroyed, it is our species that will be.
Elizabeth Barnwell commented on Has the humans species reached it's carrying capacity? on January 21, 2008, 5:00 PM
As a species, the human race has not yet reached the carrying capacity of the earth, but we are close. Our population is just over 6 billion right now and scientists have projected that carrying capacity will be achieved at about 10 billion. I think economics should be based on sustainability instead of growth because if we can achieve sustainability without having to resort to some sort of extreme population control, growth will naturally follow. The key is to find ways to not only conserve what remaining nonrenewable resources we have but to continue to find ways to utilize renewable energies and continue to develop smart technologies that will carry us sustainably into the future. That's where we will grow.
Elizabeth Barnwell commented on Re: What is human nature? on January 21, 2008, 1:05 PM
I agree that it is both an instinctual and learned behavior. It is also something more. Human nature is the very essence of what drives us. It is that thing that both connects us to and separates us from the natural world. We have a tendency to view ourselves as being superior to nature, as being its master. Yet, we also have an innate desire to belong and when we are "out in nature" we seem to find our place in the natural world. Those that are able to adapt are the ones who will generally succeed. The same is true of civilization. People tend to view themselves as superior to others. We have a natural competitiveness that tends to both propel us towards and repel us away from each other.
Elizabeth Barnwell commented on Whose responsibility is environmentalism? on January 21, 2008, 12:15 PM
Environmentalism IS a shared responsibility and it is irresponsible to place it on the shoulders of a select few - especially if that select few doesn't believe that global warming is a problem. Everyone is responsible for the situation our environment is in because each of us is leaving a footprint that only a rise in sea level is going to cover. Environmentalism requires that we be smarter consumers and that we should demand producers be more environmentally conscious in regard to production and distribution processes. Environmentalism is more than just a word we use to describe our responsibility; it is an ideal, a passion, that we need to nurture and grow in order to ensure our continued existence. There is a general misconception that the earth is going to be destroyed if we don't become more environmental. It is a misconception because the earth won't be destroyed, it is our species that will be.
Elizabeth Barnwell commented on Re: What is human nature? on January 21, 2008, 6:05 PM
I agree that it is both an instinctual and learned behavior. It is also something more. Human nature is the very essence of what drives us. It is that thing that both connects us to and separates us from the natural world. We have a tendency to view ourselves as being superior to nature, as being its master. Yet, we also have an innate desire to belong and when we are "out in nature" we seem to find our place in the natural world. Those that are able to adapt are the ones who will generally succeed.The same is true of civilization. People tend to view themselves as superior to others. We have a natural competitiveness that tends to both propel us towards and repel us away from each other.