Blog #5

Using the reading material today as well as previous reading on green values (and referring to specific aspects of that material), write a blog entry outlining the goals and specific characteristics of a green learning community. How would you know one if you saw one?

As said by David Orr,"Ecological literacy is driven by the sense of wonder, the sheer delight in being alive in a beautiful, mysterious, bountiful world". This is a main thing that a green learning community should and does promote in the classroom. Keeping alive our "inborn sense of wonder" and teaching students to enjoy the world seems to be what green thought is all about. If this was highlighted in all classes many of the "green values" would just fall into place. Students would get a full spectrum of ecological thought and principle just by appreciating the world around us.

In "Teaching as an Ethical Enterprise" written by William Ayers he states, "Teachers choose how to see the world, what to embrace or reject, whether to support or resist this or that directive." What Ayers says about the teaching world is exactly the opposite of what a green learning community looks like. A green learning community focus on hearing everyones opinion and not letting one person dominate what is learned and disscussed. Through this, thoughts are not monopolized and people can truly make their own thoughts about the world. This is how I would know a green community if I saw one.

Blog #4

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 align very similarly with the way I think. However, there are some exceptions. I feel many of the "green values" presented in "Defining Environmentalism" are true to the way I feel about life in general but I also think that it gives capitalism and the production of new technology a mad reputation. These two factors in the economy today have created many of things that have benefitted the world as a whole. Technology in medicine saves lives everyday, technology helps to provide clean drinking water to nations, technology created vehicles that can quickly transport dying humans to hospitals, and many of these things were created because of capitalism. What I am trying to say is that technology and capitalism are not all bad, but they can create a false sense of what is important in life. 

I believe in many of the "green values". The idea of having a community based political and economic system is very interesting. I think that a lot of problems come from standardization, which comes from having such a big government that is not connected to the individuals of their country. I also greatly agree with the focus on future sustainability. I know that one day this Earth will run out of resources if we do not take care of them and I think that caring for our world needed to start yesterday. 

I guess what surprised me most about the readings was the reading if "Introduction". It talked about the need to reflect back on how we have absorbed the social norms and practices of being in a larger society in order to change. I thought this is 100% true and it is something I have never really thought about. It also surprised me that sexuality was a part of "green values". 

Blog #3

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.

After looking over the AASHE website I found a couple things I thought were really interesting. The first thing I saw that I liked was the new webinar experience they are offering starting January 30th, 2013. These webinars will provide a place for college kids and administration to listen to new ideas and pressing issues dealing with college life today. The second program I saw that I liked was Stars of AASHE. This program is a sustainability tracking, assessment, and ranking system among colleges in the United States. Each school is given a ranking based on certain criteria that measures their sustainability performance. It's great because schools can see how they match up to each other, get ideas for new programs, and see where they need to improve. In the Sustainable Carolina website I really like the garden program. In my University 101 class my freshman year we grew our own garden behind Strom. This was the best experience I've had in a college class to date. This summer my dad and I are going to start our own organic farm as well, so the garden club is something I am very interested in. As for my question to Ms. Bounds: Where does the money come from to help provide the programs that Sustainable Carolina has in place?

Blog #2

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. 

Hi, my name is Jessie Suttle here is a picture of me from high school loving Carolina!

I was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. I grew up riding and showing horses and I love the outdoors. I spent most of my summers at camp in Vermont or working for my Dad. I graduated from Hampton Roads Academy but I also went to Menchville high school for a year. I came to South Carolina because I fell in love with the school and the warm weather. I'm majoring in business with a minor in environmental studies. After college I want to take a year off before grad school and do The World Race. After grad school I want to go into the Peace Corps for a couple years. I don't know why but it has always been something I have been interested in. Career wise I will most likely take over the family business with my older brother. However my dream job is to own and run my own organic farm that will supply the food for my restaurant. This summer my dad and I are going to start our own organic farm and I am so excited to get started. 

Blog #1

      I decided to take this course because I am very interested in environmental science. Environmental studies is my minor and this course is a requirement for that which is awesome because it actually seems like it is going to be a blast. I am hoping to get a better understanding of green political thought and how to take more green action in life. Environmental policy is what really interests me. I like to understand how not only the government but companies and other groups of people incorporate the environment into their practices.  I am excited to do more with “green thinking” that was touched on in the syllabus. I have never heard of that before and it seems like it will be interesting to put that into practice. I think as a whole I just really want to explore the class and the opportunities we are going to be given. I have never been in a class that is conducted in this manner and I am interested to see the way it works. The hands on service-learning component is going to be my favorite part to dive into. My favorite thing is being outside so hopefully whatever service-learning component I do will have lots of tasks that need to be done outside.