Blog #4

Prompt: "What do you think of “green values?”  Which ones do you most believe in?  What surprised you the most about the readings?"

I think that green values are great! Many of the issues and concepts brought up in the readings echo my own thoughts and concerns. By working within a system where people and the environment are cared for and considered, it seems like that would be more efficient than exploiting others.  By choosing exploitation, the world becomes a giant example of the tragedy of the commons. The environment is neglected for the sake of personal gain and in the end everyone suffers. I like that green values look at how the future will be affected by current decisions. Instant gratification is not usually conducive to future sustainability.

The reading I liked the most and that I most identified with was the Ten Key Values of the Green Party. It just all makes sense. Within those ten values, personal and global responsibility is very important to me.  I believe that you have to make a change in yourself before you expect others to change. And also making small (or big!) personal changes does make a difference. Every little bit counts.  So if people start taking responsibility for their actions and work to promote green values, hopefully others will catch on and it can spread.

I was surprised by the tone of the Left Green Network reading. There were many situations described in the paper that I do not believe are attainable in the near future, or even the slightly distant future. But there was no hesitation in the tone and not meeting these goals did not seem like an option. A lot of it just seemed unrealistic to me, such as seeking to “change the social realities of the relationship between women, men, the political realm, the domestic realm, and all of these to nature”.  I have no idea how you would go about doing that, and I do not think that is the most pressing of concerns at the moment. 

Blog #3

Prompt: "For the AASHE and Sustainable Carolina websites, describe the specific program that you find most interesting in each one and explain why you find it interesting. Plus, write one question for Margaret Bounds, based on the Sustainable Carolina website."

On the AASHE website the program I found most interesting is the Campaign for Environmental Literacy.  I think that in terms of many issues, education is part of the solution.  By making sure that people are educated about the environment and the issues surrounding it, intelligent conversations can be had.  By knowing the components of the problem, solutions can be worked toward.  I think it is very important that this program helps work to provide funding for environmental education.

On the Sustainable Carolina website, my favorite team is the Campus Food Team and within that category my favorite project is the Sustainability in Campus Dining discussed in the Annual Report. I have grown up with a compost bin in my backyard.  In my mind, composting is one of the most natural and logical things a person can do.  After walking through the dining halls and seeing all the food that is prepared, it is great to read that the pre-consumer waste is going to composting instead of the landfill.  I hate seeing food thrown away, such a waste. I also think its fun that the compost is collected using solar powered golf carts!

My question for Margaret Bounds would be: As more students become interested in sustainability on campus, is there any plan to expand the amount of garden space available in green quad? Or is there any talk of growing food on campus for Sodexo to use? 

Blog #2

Prompt: Create a short biography on your blog to introduce yourself to the class, including a picture of yourself, a brief summary of your life, and a summary of your academic interests and career plans.  Be creative! 

Well to start my name is Erica Hellmich and I am a third year Environmental Science student.  I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and came to South Carolina to enjoy the beautiful weather J I’ve always been passionate about the environment but I didn’t decide to do Environmental Science until I was at USC.  I actually decided on my major after taking a class freshman year which Dr. Whiteman was a co-professor for.  Something along the lines of Local Food Systems: A Catalyst for Change, not sure on the exact title, it was something long like that!  The class piqued my interest in sustainable food systems and agriculture and how those avenues can help alleviate some of the environmental issues around the globe. 

Besides the environment, I am also very passionate about animals! Especially cats J I’ve always grown up with cats and now that I live off campus I adopted a cat of my own, Sophia. There are also a handful of feral cats in my backyard that I have been trapping and getting fixed and re-releasing back into my backyard. I’m following a system referred to as Trap-Neuter-Release. I truly am a crazy cat lady!

I keep going back and forth with my career goals. I don’t know if I want to focus on the environment or on animals! I would love to find a career that would incorporate the outdoors, environmental sustainability, animals, and helping people. Not really sure what that career would look like, but if it’s out there, I’ll find it. 

Blog #1

Prompt: "What do you want to get out of the course?  What interests you about “green politics?”  What do you want to explore?"

            Even though I am passionate about the environment and enjoy being able to say I am an environmental science student, I don’t really know what I want to do with my life after graduation.  People always ask me what I can do with an environmental science degree and I give them a fairly generic answer saying I could get a job doing research or could be a consultant, etc.  But I don’t see myself doing any of the things I tell people. 

            So part of the reason I am taking this class is to open myself up to another side of environmental science.  I took a class that talked about policy while I was studying abroad in New Zealand and even though a lot of what I learned doesn’t translate to the US, I still found it very fascinating.  I am interested to learn about the theories behind different facets of “green” political thought.  I like the fact that we will be getting a hands-on education by working with sustainably minded groups on campus. I am excited to explore how learning about green political thought will play into our community action plans for the course.

            By taking this course I hope to build good connections with the professors and with fellow students.  I am also looking to learn about an aspect of environmental science I do not know much about.  Maybe learning about politics and working with community/university groups will spark an interest than will lead to a possible career path.