Activity 4.2 Environmental Policy Frameworks

 

1.     

Id   Identity: “Who am I” Values, Beliefs, and attitudes, age, gender, and race.

2.     Facts: How people many decisions based on information.

3.     Conflict Management: Decisions made on conflicts are resolved.

4.     Risk: How one is response to the impact.

5.      Ecological: Ones choice on how the impact will affect the environment both human and natural.

 

Identity is first frame one values, and beliefs could have an impact on the other frames that I have listed. Everyone has an individual characteristic. Facts is my second frame, most individuals like to see the facts before a decision is made that could impact them, a business, or a law. Conflict Management is my third frame, this is how one reacts to the laws, policies and regulations put in place. Risk is my fourth frame the decisions that have been managed along with the facts that have been provided, determines on the risk that have been taken or that are going to occur. Lastly the Ecological frame one risk that an individual’s values or beliefs could impact the environment to both human, animal and resources. These environmental policy frame works all tie in together. They play a factor on the environment is protected or impacted by the decisions that we make in everyday life. 

References: 

Davis, C. B., & Lewicki, R. J. (2003). Environmental conflict resolution: Framing and intractability--an introduction. Environmental Practice, 5(3), 200-206.

Bryan, T. (2003). Context in environmental conflicts: Where you stand depends on where you sit. Environmental Practice, 5(3), 256-264.

• Environmental Framing Consortium. (2005). Framing choices. Links to an external site.Understanding Environmental Problems. http://www.intractableconflict.org/environmentalframing/framing_choices.shtml

2.3.2 Ranches as Grassland Conservation

 

1. Exploratory                                   

Probe basic facts and knowledge found in the reading and video. The reading from The Grasslands is describes the importance of grasslands are under conserved. Understanding the importance of the grasslands and how they impact the food source production and how if the grasslands are not managed correct the grasslands could die from plants to soil. 

 

2. Diagnostic                                     

Probe motives or causes.  (Why? (Tell your reader why this occurs. Explain the causes in detail.))

Best grasslands are corn and soybeans now no tall grasslands. Grasslands is a huge source of food. It is important that the grasslands are protected and manage to avoid continuing to have grasslands. The grasslands provide a food source to not only humans but to animals as well.  

 

3. Cause and Effect                         

Causal relationships between ideas, actions, or events. (If __________ occurs, what happens?)

If animals are removed from the grasslands, it could damage the property and it could cause a longer recovery period which to economically hurt a rancher. It could stress the livestock and plants. When the grasslands are managed right a rancher could benefit the grazing of herbivores on the property. It could double the production for the ranchers.

 

4. Priority                                           

Seek to identify the most important issue. (What is the most important issue?)

The understanding of conservation on the grasslands and how it impacts ranchers, livestock, and humans. If the grasslands are not protected it could mean damage to the environment such in grass, water, plants, soil, and animals.

 

5. Application                                    

Probe for relationships and connect theory to practice. (How does this apply to you? How is this related to culture as we have studied so far?) The importance of conservation seems to be the culture that needs to be implemented not only for grasslands, animals, water, and the plants. The topics that I have read or listened to all go hand in hand to advocate, conserve and get involved.

 

6. Critical                                           

Analyze how this challenges your thinking/assumptions. (How did this change your thinking? Did it? Why?) The grassland article and the pod cast by Jim Howell has broken down the understanding the importance of understanding of conservation on the grasslands and how it impacts not just the ranchers but also the environment. Getting involved in conservation programs to learn how to advocate for the environment because everything goes hand in hand.

Activity 2.3.1 Ranchers, Anglers, and Beavers

1. Exploratory                                   

Probe basic facts and knowledge found in the reading and video. 

Stream restorations for ranchers, streamside vegetation and wildlife. Streams have been degraded by different stressors such as droughts, wildfires and grazing practices.

 2. Diagnostic                                     

Probe motives or causes.  

Three main factors that impact the cause of stream restoration are droughts, wildfire and grazing practices. Droughts are common during the dry seasons of the year. During the dry season the temperatures can raise and cause damage to the Riparian area. Wildfires also impact the streams wildfire are cause by the climate changes such as droughts and sometimes cause by humans.  Wildfires are getting hotter and larger, and the seasons are getting longer. Wildfires not only affect the fish but also affect other species and plant life that live near these streams. Grazing practices causes compaction of soil which increases runoff on the water source and decreases the water availability for plants. The decrease in plants decreases the biomass and prevents the establishments of seedlings.

3. Cause and Effect                         

Causal relationships between ideas, actions, or events. 

If conservations groups and environmental laws are not put in place. These water streams and resources could hurt the environment, from water sources that are used for vegetation to food to humans. Conservation groups and laws help fund and restore streams and protect wildlife.

 4. Priority                                           

Seek to identify the most important issue. 

 The importance of this is to help conserve for today for the future.  

 

5. Application                                    

Probe for relationships and connect theory to practice. 

Conservation in an organization that is trying to make a difference, weather it is big or small evening becoming an advocate goes a long way.

6. Critical                                           

Analyze how this challenges your thinking/assumptions. 

My thinking towards how climate changes affect the environment such as in droughts and wildfires and the impact that it has towards the environment which supplies not only food to humans but to wildlife. I never took it into consideration about the agricultural side of how it also affects the herds that graze but also the impact that it could also cause to the streams. Conservation including advocating goes a long way being able to educate other individuals could definitely make a difference for tomorrow’s future.

References:

Fesenmyer, K. (2016). Restoring streamside vegetation using grazing and beavers. Trout Unlimited. https://www.tu.org/magazine/science/restoring-streamside-vegetation-using-grazing-and-beavers/ Links to an external site. 

Fesenmyer, K. A, Dauwalter, D. C., Evans, C., & Allai, T. (2018). Livestock management, beaver, and climate influences on riparian vegetation in a semi-arid landscape. PLoS ONE 13(12). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208928 Links to an external site. 

7370 (arizona.edu)

4.1 US Environmental History and Major Regulations

 

History on environmental thoughts in the US started as early as in mid 18^th century. A gentle man by the name of Jared Eliot wrote about the need for better farming methods. During the mid 19^th century the growth on society became a concerned that three groups formed and had influenced in the relation of the environment they were the “resource efficiency” group, transcendentalist movement, and the organized industrial interests. The Resource Efficiency group established fields in environmental science and engineering, agronomy, agriculture engineering, and public health. Many individuals contributed to this group and understanding the scientific underpinning of the environment and educating practitioners. Transcendental Movement leader was Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emerson set new ways of envisioning a relation to the natural world. His vision was seen through appreciating mother nature. The organized industrials had a different mindset. The focus was to provide employment and not control the legacy and laid a foundation for advances in Environmental Policy. National parks and wildlife refuges were made for commercial and recreational use by society, communication on the impact of pollution on human health and welfare. Environment Risk Management prominence in the 19^th century and beginning of the 20th century. Environmental Risk Management communicated to those that were impacted by a form of industrial hygiene and sanitary engineering. As time went by the risk assessment were applied to the natural environment. Many environmental scientists were surprised by the amount of documentation of damage that was being created. In 1970 the NEPA establishment a national goal to create and maintain conditions of humans and animals. Both the environmental policy and the risk management have been able to try to come up with solutions to help mitigate an environmental issue that could cause damage to the environment and or a human. Although that this policy was created over the past two centuries, we are slowly doing damage to the environment since there is some laws that do not protect the environment such as developing more businesses and housing to accommodate for the population, this then creates other issues such as health issues.  The more development that occurs the more that green belts and nature spaces are taking away the more vehicle are used and that creates more emissions. The emissions are then inhaled by humans which tend to create more health issues. Vehicles many be able to get us to point a to point b but they could also impact the water quality. The chemicals that a car releases oils, gas, etc. has the potential to go into the ground and into the water streams that could cause a contamination. With the population growing and developers developing and clearing out natural resources that is contributing to global warning issues that we are experiencing in today's world. These policies that have been created and implemented still don’t stop the damage that we cause to the environment and humankind. As the population continues to grow and new ways begin to evolve to try to minimize pollution and conservation natural resources, we end up creating another wicked idea that impacts something else.

References: Theis, T., & Tomkin, J. (Eds). (2018). Sustainability: A comprehensive foundation. OpenStax CNX.  THEISandTOMKIN_Sustainability-a-Comprehensive-Foundation-45.1.pdf

Russell, E., & Fairfax, S. K. (2014). Guide to U.S. Environmental Policy (Links to an external site.). CQ Press. Chapter 28, see specifically pp. 400 - 407.

References: Milestone infographic timeline provided by: Microsoft Corporation. 

3.3.3.1 Critical Analysis

 

                                 

                                 Straw Ban 

 

1. Exploratory:

Plastic Straw Bans Begins in some parts of the US and some parts of the world. According to the National Geographic Article it states that in July Washington D.C would be handling out fines to businesses that are still using straws. Parts of the world that attract tourist are also doing away with plastic straws. Both the US and other parts of the world dispose millions of plastic straws daily. Straws are not recyclable they are lightweight for the machines to recycle so they get into the landfills.

2. Diagnostic:

A video was circulated on how a sea turtle had a straw stuck in its nose was suffering. Just imagine as a human once something we get stuck in an open area example ear, nose or mouth we feel that discomfort and most have two hands or help to remove an object. These animals don’t usually get the help that they need until it is too late. Campaigns have been pushing to ban the use of straws for many reasons one the pollution that is it causing and two the number of animals that have been recorded that have died to the consumption of plastic. The US throws millions of straws away daily and the UK throws away 4.4 billion straws annually. Hotels are the worst offenders to use straws in the facilities. The straws are so light weight that they are not able to get recycled, so they end up in waste streams and the landfills which a lot of the trash ends up in the oceans. Since the straws are not biodegradable the plastic slowly starts to come apart which ends up as microplastics and that then looks like food to animals. In 2017 a hotel in Hawaii used up 800,000 straws. 

3. Cause and Effect:

The straw ban started in the Seattle then Washington adopted the same ban against straws but also added a more effective twist that if businesses were using straws that they would be fined. I am sure that companies do not want to lose money when they could be making and do away with plastic straws. Many other states are starting to follow the ban such as Florida and California. Belize, Taiwan and England are the latest countries to propose bans on straws. Hotels in North and Central America and some cruise lines are also following the ban on straws in their establishments. The significant impact on the environment if one single hotel removed straws that would be millions of straws in a single year.

4. Priority:

Most importantly to banning straws is the amount of pollution that is created by a small piece of plastic. It is not only harmful to the environment but to humans and animals. Since the straws are not biodegradable and within time and the climate that they start to break down into small pieces of plastic known as microplastics. The microplastics then acts like a form of food that is indigested by animals, fish and birds that could harm the animal. One million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed annually. 44 % are seabird species, 22 % are whales and dolphins and all sea turtle species including all fish. 

5. Application:

Ban straws applies to me because this is just another form of unnecessary pollution we would be ok doing away with. I understand that some individuals may need the use of a straw due to disabilities. I know that we are very far from banning all forms of plastics, but we need to start small and if that means starting with straws. Just one single hospitality establishment doing away with straws makes an impact on the environment. 

6. Critical:

My thoughts on the use of straws have changed my mind. I will no longer ask for that straw for my drink I am looking at different ways not to use as much plastic in my everyday life. I am trying to educate my family on reusing and recycling items in our household. It is sad to see that so many animals have died due to the amount of pollution that we create by using plastic from the biggest piece to the micro size of plastic. I would wish that more states in the US adopt the ban of use of straws or come up with a different alternative.

 

References

Howard, B. C., Gibbens, S., Zachos, E., & Parker, L. (2019, June 10, update). A running list of action on plastic pollution. Environment. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/07/ocean-plastic-pollution-solutions/

Hotels and Tour Operators are Eliminating Plastic Straws (nationalgeographic.com)

Plastic straw bans are spreading: here’s how they took over the world (nationalgeographic.com)

Should Plastic Straws Be Banned? [Pros & Cons of a Straw Ban in 2019] (get-green-now.com)

Plastic Straw Removed From A Sea Turtle's Nostril (Short Version) - YouTube

https://youtu.be/d2J2qdOrW44

Activity 3.3.3 - My Plastic Use

 

    Microplastics what are they, Microplastics are plastic pieces that measure less than five millimeters across. 

    Microplastics are found everywhere from the air that we breathe to the water that we drink and the clothes that we wear. Microplastics are also found in the food we consume and ladies it is also found in lip glosses tints. 

    This microplastics is created by humans. Once that the plastics has been disposed with the heat and environment it starts to degrade into small particles or fragments and that turns into microplastics. The plastics get in the water streams as in lake, rivers and oceans. Microplastics are located all over the world. Microplastics is created by all the plastic that is used on a daily basis by humans. 

    Microplastics is problematic to both humans and the environment. Microplastics are in the water that we drink which means that microplastics are in the human body. Microplastics could also enter the blood stream of a human being. Although the studies have not shown exactly how microplastics affect a human. Some plastics are known to cause cancers and other effects on the body. For the environment we have only been using plastic since the 1950's and there is so much plastic pollution all over the world. Plastics affects the environment in many ways for one it takes a very long time for the cycle of the breakdown of plastic. Once that the breakdown has occurred it then releases the microplastics that go back in the water and the air. Animals are affected by this pollution of plastic. Many animals eat or get stuck in the plastic and sadly some die. This also affects the environment ecosystems. Plastic could also release toxins that could affect the reproduction in some animals. 

    I took photos and made a collage of just the start of my morning and lunch time the amount of plastic that I touch, and I am not proud, but I also contributed to the plastic pollution that we are currently facing today. I did not realize how much plastic that I purchase and use on a daily basis. The collage is just a snapshot of some of my morning. I work with Plastic resin every day for the past 16 years. Again, I am not proud to say that I contribute to this pollution I plan to teach my family and make the change not use or buy things that are not biodegradable. I would like my daughter to be able to have a clean environment to live and breathe in. 

Citation's: 

https://alamo.instructure.com/courses/1451634/pages/activity-3-dot-3-3-plastic-waste-microplastics-core-activity?module_item_id=23015395#:~:text=National%20Geographic%20Magazine.%20(n.d.).%20Plastics,https%3A//www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/planetorplastic/%23/1234356803947

https://alamo.instructure.com/courses/1451634/pages/activity-3-dot-3-3-plastic-waste-microplastics-core-activity?module_item_id=23015395#:~:text=your%20task%20below-,Dudas%2C%20S.%20(2018).%20Microplastics%20are%20everywhere%20%5BVideo%5D.%20TEDx%20Binghampton%20University,Microplastics%20are%20everywhere%20%7C%20Sarah%20Dudas%20%7C%20TEDxBinghamtonUniversity,-Links%20to%20an

https://alamo.instructure.com/courses/1451634/files/197280534/download?wrap=1

Van Sebille, E. (2013). Charting the garbage patches of the seas [video]. University of New South Wales. Retrieved fromCharting the garbage patches of the sea