jlainez98-blog

[jlainez98-blog]

Wilderness: A necessity

I recently took a trip to three-sister falls in San Diego. The hike is pretty intense but the view at the end is totally worth it. Three waterfalls where you would least expect them. To be continued..for now ponder this question: Is wilderness a necessity?  

[jlainez98-blog]

Cheaper than Therapy

I have this t-shirt in my closet. It can be a great conversation starter. I’ve been asked several times if I am a “conservationist” or a “tree hugger”. I enjoy those kinds of questions because it gives me the opportunity to talk about the natural environment. There is no denying that some of us could use some therapy but all of us need a lot more nature. What can be more therapeutic than a walk in a national forest or sleeping under the beautiful moon and stars? It is during those moments of silence that we get solace from our hectic work and busy schedules. So is nature cheaper than therapy? 

Open landscapes and undeveloped lands are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Communities are becoming so congested that developers can only leave small parks that are being called “green spaces.” Many recreational parks and camping grounds now charge a fee and there is limited availability. It seems like enjoying some of nature's most beautiful creations is not as cheap as it once was. The exploitation of land and forests has led to some of them being designated as “protected”, but will it be enough? 

Will future generations be able to afford to go to a national park or forest or will the fees be extremely expensive due to their rarity? There is no easy answer but we need to have constructive discussions on sustainability. It might start with a t-shirt or a logo but it is important to distinguish between facts and opinions. For now, I encourage you to enjoy nature while it is still cheaper than therapy. 

[jlainez98-blog]

A Dynamic Relationship

Personal relationships can be full of integrity, love, compromise, honesty, openness, and shared responsibility. However, we can agree that most often, relationships are Dynamic. There is a constant change because we come to realize that we can’t always have it our way. Problems arise in relationships due to habits, power & control, financial situations, lack of communication, and even because we can’t agree on the right way to hang the toilet paper (seriously). 

Much like a personal relationship, the relationship between the natural environment and human society is dynamic. It is constantly evolving as the political, social, and economical drives shift. One thing that has not changed is our continued dependency on the environment for survival. The relationship dynamic can be defined in three different components: 1.) Resources use & Management 2.) Environmental footprint 3.) Dependability. 

What are the characteristics, lifestyle, and consumption patterns of humans? Population growth has led to an increase of resource use such as: water, coal, oil, natural gas, soil, timber (etc). Industrialization has also increased the demand of important elements like copper, silicon, and boron as our society becomes technologically dependent. Some argue that resource mismanagement is our problem, not overpopulation. The exploitation of non-renewable resources will eventually lead to scarcity and without the possibility of ever bringing those resources back. 

What are different impacts that agriculture, technology, energy industry, and industrial developments have had on the environment? There is no denying that we have caused environmental degradation, climate change, biodiversity loss, hazards & pollution (among others). The scientific community has released a significant number of data and quantifiable measurements such as: Greenhouse gas emissions, water quality/analysis reports, land yield reports, air quality data reports, and climate change parameters supporting the notion that the human race is destructive. 

Is the human race ultimately unsustainable? Our dependability in nature should have already changed the way we perceive the environment. At one point in the near future we will need to find a balance between our consumption and our production. Our relationship with the environment needs to change if we want to survive. Like any bad relationship, the first step on the road to recovery is to admit we have a problem. YES we have a relationship problem with the environment. 

[jlainez98-blog]

Shine Bright

What is the natural environment? What are the basic life functions and needs of living organisms? Let's shine a bright light on this topic. 

All living and non- living things encompass the natural environment. All living things interact in the natural environment and require basic needs, which are obtained from the physical environment such as: food, shelter, water, air, space, and soil. The concept of the natural environment can be further understood by subdividing the different components. 

Living organism are part of ecosystems where all the living things (plant, animals, organisms) interact with each other and with the non-living components (earth, soil, climate, atmosphere). Ecosystems can be complex and delicate. Each of the living organisms plays an important role and is affected by the biotic (living) factors and abiotic (nonliving) factor. 

The non-living components such as energy, water, soil, and nitrogen are crucial for the survival of ecosystems. Without energy from the sun, plants wouldn’t be able to produce photosynthesis. Without soil, plants would not have a medium for growth and many animals would not have a habitat. 

Living organisms are all in the same quest for energy. This energy is transmitted through a food chain by the producers, consumers, and decomposers. 

To better understand this topic follow the links for quick lessons and assessments: 

Ecosystems

https://globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange1/current/lectures/kling/ecosystem/ecosystem.html

Energy Flow

https://education.eol.org/lesson_plans/2-5_EnergyFlow2_ProducersConsumersDecomposers.pdf

[jlainez98-blog]

Dear Future Generations- Sorry (Prince ea)

Environmental protection leads to sustainability of LIFE. Various social, economic, ethical, and political aspects challenge environmental policy. However, it is not too late to redirect our future. We need to work together in education, advancement of science, and technology to improve our ability to solve the important environmental challenges facing humanity.