How Location Defines and Teaches Me: Journal Entry #2

I was born and raised in Florida and love my surroundings. I love the beach, the mud, the water, and the heat. I enjoy laying in the sun, go swimming, driving through the mud, and just being in the fresh air. When I am asked about my sense of place I think of how much I enjoy the outdoors. I know enough to get me by such as do not pollute, do not use items that will harm the ozone, and try to always recycle. However, I feel that since the environment plays such a huge role in my life, I should take the time to learn more about it.

I believe that I currently know the things that I do because of my surroundings. I grew up in a family that believed that being outdoors is essential to life. We were taught very young to pick up trash outside and how it can be harmful. I also believe that the reason I think it is so important is because I attend Florida Gulf Coast University which is a very “green” school. At just about every corner there is a trash can with a recycling bin. Florida Gulf Coast University encourages you to turn off lights and computers when you leave the room in order to save energy. This school makes me feel like a part of a bigger community that respects our land. I enjoy being outside and would devastated if one day the world became so polluted that we would not be able to enjoy the outdoors. 

Well managed biodiversity can bring back life: Journal Entry #1

   Biodiversity is a very important topic in today’s society. Biodiversity means the diversity of life forms on our planet. I find this to be an important topic because if we can preserve all life forms then it can bring us clean air, nutritional food, and effective medicines. Those three things are very critical to our lives. Humans depend on plants and animals just as they depend on us. If we all keep each other in good condition then we can all help each other out. For example, it is known that biodiverse ecosystems can recover more easily from natural disasters as well as prevent some, like global warming. We all need each other to survive in this world so let’s respect each other.
   Some may think that the world is polluted and it is just too late now; trying to preserve our planet would just be a waste of time. Those people are wrong. There is always hope for change. If people take the time out of their busy days, they can see the living proof right before their eyes. I feel that water is one of the most important things that we need to survive and it is one of the first things to get polluted. Sometimes pollution goes unseen until it is overwhelming and causing devastating effects. For example, just in the United State it was once stated that Lake Erie was a fire hazard. However, if you look at that lake today you will see plenty of fish in clean water. Turning around negative effects may not happen over night, but the wait is well worth it.