What is really going on ?

To begin, and to be a little honest...I will say that I never really knew much about the environment, nor some of the issues that have to be dealt with day to day. In a way I brushed everything off and because I felt wouldn't be affected by it..well I was wrong. There is so many things that go on in the environment that many of us are probably not even aware of, and I feel that chapter one of Environmental Studies by Barry Barker explained this. Through out chapter 1 I was approached by many topics that I found great interest in..and I would like to speak of them. The first section of the chapter was titled "Environmentally Profitable", and in this section it states about 2 environmental theme restaurants and shops which I am sure majority of you have heard of; the Rainforest Cafe and Outdoor World :
.(http://www.rainforestcafe.com/) (http://www.basspro.com/)
Rainforest Cafe is a restaurant that is set in the obvious theme of a rainforest/virtual jungle, and also contains a gift shop. This restaurant has fish tanks, animal sounds, thunder, lighting and even a water fall. Where as Outdoor World is a sport store selling items that relate to camping, hunting, and additional outdoor activities. On pg. 3 Barry Barker states this question "Is it true environmentalism or exploitation?" These 2 restaurants appear to seek to promote wildlife awareness but they are also enhancing their business and profit.Well I personally feel that in a way they are contradicting this whole wildlife awareness thing. How? well..in paragraph 7 of Environmental Science, Barker states "The Rainforest Cafe features several saltwater tanks ranging from sixty-five to eighty tons of water. Fish such as the queen angelfish found in Bermuda and Florida, the purple tang from the Red Sea, and at least thirty-two more species are prominently displayed. The business made special note that the coral displays in the tank are all man made, but they do not tell customers how the fish are collected. Therefore, they claim, the natural ecological system is not destroyed." On the other hand the Outdoor World promoted wild life conservation..yet they specialize in selling equipment for fishing and hunting. They even have an arcade that promotes teaching children how to shoot a deer and other animals through a laser shooting game. How is this promoting wild life conservation? I can agree with Barker when he states "The environment is simply a hook used to attract customers and make a profit. On the other hand, the environment is misrepresented and falsely portrayed." Pg. 8 ¶ 2 gives an example of how the Rain Forest Cafe portrays an environment representing the South American rainforest, yet various components of the Cafe do not really exist in the South American such as: saltwater fish, zebras, corals and giraffes. I feel, it is all for profit. Not too much on the side of the Rain Forest Cafe..because in a way they are not promoting harm upon animals. Out door word specializes in hunting and fishing supplies; therefore you cannot justify that they promote wildlife awareness.

Now, back to the actually problems that we have to face. I find it disturbing knowing the truth about the poisonous toxins that we are exposed to everyday, especially the ones that are dumbed near communities. Many can experience serious medical illness, deformities and even death. I found it terrible knowing how the fetus can be affected as well as the mother can have a miscarriage. Pg. 14 goes into detail about environmental racism and this really got me thinking. "The 1987 landmark study, by Reverend Chavis, reported that a disproportionate distribution of commercial hazardous waste facilities could be found in minority communities." (Barker) The main targets of this environmental racism are primarily African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americas, and Asian/Pacific Islanders. It was amazing to find out that the largest hazardous waste landfill in the U.S. is in Emelle, Alabama; which is a black community. It is sad to know that because you are a minority and you live in a certain area, that majority of the waste can be found in your area. New York has one of the largest food and meath distributors in the U.S. which also provides employment for most of the Hispanic and black residents; but along with this goes a sewage treatment plant, medical waste incinerator, and a sludge de-watering facility.All of the chemical dumping and hazards do not only affect humans, but also animals. "In, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, a nine legged frog, a two-headed fish and a four legged chicken were reported. In addition, high rates of unusual cancers, birth defects, babies were born with out eyes, and babies were born with brain cancer have been reported." (pg. 16). I feel that some of these problems are beyond our control and there is nothing that I can do to help, but I am sure as I continue reading..I will find out some things that can be done to at least try and help the environment.




MINI PROJECT #1
(Conduct an Internet search to determine in which of the three environmental organization you wish to join. You need to analyze the mission of each organization, then state your reasons for joining a particular one.)
Choices: Greenpeace, National Resource Defense Council and Wild Spots Foundation
After researching on all 3 of the environmental organizations, I found that I would want to join the National Resource Defense Council. (http://www.nrdc.org/). The organization uses law, science, members and online activist to protect the wildlife and wild places to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. A part of their mission statement is as follows "The Natural Resources Defense Council's purpose is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends." (NRDC) After researching this organization I really noticed how effective they were with their first victory of 1971 and continuing through 2006. In 2006 they led the Bush administration to protecting the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act - a crucial first step toward saving the bear from the ravages of global warming. (http://www.nrdc.org/) I found that to be a great achievement, and that is one of the reasons I would choose this organization. I love helping, no matter what it is; or for who or what it is helping, but I do love animals the most and if anything has to do with helping an animal, than that organization won me over! This organization has worked with things from gasoline to aerosol cans to water pollution, and I feel that this organization has truly been effective and done so many great things.At the end of the mission statement, NRDC states "We seek to break down the pattern of disproportionate environmental burdens borne by people of color and others who face social or economic inequities. Ultimately, NRDC strives to help create a new way of life for humankind, one that can be sustained indefinitely without fouling or depleting the resources that support all life on Earth." I think what this organization is doing is amazing and they are truly contributing to the environment and the living species, the NRDC is truly trying to make the world safer and cleaner, yet at the same time trying to provide and fair economy. Why wouldn't anyone want to join this organization.!They have succeeded in many things and the interest is in the environment and all living things, and I find that amazing.

Teressa