IBS can cause a whole bunch of problems from pain, to nausea, bowel irregularities, brain fog and more. It can severely disrupt your life. After years of dealing with the pain of IBS, countless doctors visits, and no answers from specialists, my IBS continued to get worse and my life started to crumble. Who knew that three little words could cause so much trouble….Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
When the pain first started it took years with no answers until I finally got the diagnosis of IBS. However, years before that I was also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. My anxiety, and then as a result depression, seemed to get worse because of my IBS. Every time IBS symptoms would act up, I would get extremely anxious and then depression would kick in. I wouldn’t be able to hold a job for more than a few months without quitting because I just couldn’t continue with the pain, depression, and anxiety. I was no longer functioning.
I kept being told by my doctor that anxiety was the cause, even though anxiety seemed to follow the IBS and not the other way around. However, after one particularly bad bought of anxiety and depression and with the help of a very supportive husband I was introduced to an audiobook called Winning the War in your Mind by Craig Groeschel. It was written by a pastor, so this book may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it has some great information. From there I started listening to Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf, a neuroscientist who also looks at the processes from a biblical prospective. These two books together taught me that in fact my mind was the cause of my anxiety, causing IBS, causing anxiety, causing depression, causing further illness.
It’s actually quite amazing to learn that your thoughts have so much power. Enough power to cause disease and disorder or health and harmony. Every thought you have can be challenged. Now I didn’t really understand what “challenged” meant at first. What I think it means is that you have to pay attention to your thoughts, whenever a negative one sneaks up on you, you have to work through it. The following steps are something I adopted:
Stop the thought as soon as you notice it – don’t let it continue, stop it in its tracks
challenge the thought – is this actually true? Am I exaggerating or catastrophizing? What evidence is there that proves it’s NOT true?
If the thought has some validity, is it the worst thing in the world?
For example, if I think something like “I’m a failure and I can’t keep up with everyone else”. First, I would stop the thought in its tracks. As soon as the thought “I’m a failure” sneaks up, I wouldn’t let the thought continue any further. Next, I would challenge the thought. What specifically have I failed at to make me a failure? Anxiety seems to love generalizations, so I try to be specific. Ok, so maybe I haven’t kept a long term job. Does that make me a failure? Or does that show that even in the face of illness and fear I continue to go back to work and continue to try? I try every time again and again, and I still haven’t given up. That’s not failure. At this point I usually am ok and the thought has been crushed. However, if it is particularly strong, I might then continue with the question, if it was true that I have “failed” in one specific area of my life, is it the worst thing in the world? Well, it is just one area of my whole life. Does working at a company for 5-10 years make me a better person? Does it make me kinder, healthier, more loving, happier? I can come to terms with the fact that I haven’t found success in a job or career yet, but I am working towards it. I am also still a good person with a lot to offer, life is an experience to be lived, not a standard rulebook to be followed.
Ok, so after the challenge I would take a few deep breaths, think about things I am grateful for and make a small goal for myself to accomplish that day and make sure to complete the goal. This is what seems to work for me, so maybe it can help someone else too.
I know this post is about IBS, but there is no IBS without the negative thought patterns. Thoughts cause neural synapses (connections) in the brain which give physiological instructions. When I think something negative, my mind thinks I am in trouble or in a state of stress, which then causes my body to react in as if I am in a state of stress. From there, the autonomic systems kicks in; My stomach tightens, it isn’t prepared to ingest food so eating causes pain and nausea, bowels stop their normal functioning, and chaos ensues.
They call the gastrointestinal system the “second brain”. When our second brain is in trouble it sends signals back to our actual brain. I believe this is when I catch on to the anxiety. Since I am already paying attention to the abdominal pain, I can then notice the psychological response that follows. It’s the initial psychological response that I didn’t notice, the one before the digestive issues, and it’s this response that is key. This first response is what I am finally learning to pay attention to and control.
Anyone out there who has IBS may likely already have an anxiety diagnosis, or maybe they experience anxiety and have not yet been diagnosed. Either way, I think that the more information we all share about our experiences and what we have learned, the better chances we have to heal.
Describe 3 challenges and 3 opportunities that you see in the slow movement. Do you want to slow some aspect(s) of your life? If so, what concrete steps can you take to achieve this?
Focusing on the present task and stop trying to do everything at once
Slow down to find energy to get involved in the world around us
Challenges: Affluenza, Social Norms, and Keeping up
#1. AFFLUENZA
According to class lecture notes, Affluenza is “a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more (de Graaf, 2008)”. Affluenza is all about consumerism and the negative affects it has on our life.
A large part of the fast pace life we live today is due in part to the amount of time and money we put towards buying things. Since consumerism is consistently increasing, it poses a huge challenge to slowing down and being happy with what you have.
It’s not hard to see the effect affluenza has on the slow movement, all we have to do is look at the news about Black Friday. Instead of this time of year being dedicated to American Thanksgiving, it is more widely known as the time for getting great deals on Black Friday. This tradition has also carried over to Canada and many other countries around the world.
“Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a holiday dedicated to family and thankfulness for what we already have, but now it seems to be about cutting family time short to go get more stuff.” – tifwe.org
The worst part of this all, was that when I was looking up information about Black Friday, I came across a website solely dedicated to tracking the number of deaths and injuries that occur because of Black Friday: http://blackfridaydeathcount.com.
This problem is also apparent during the Christmas season. Christmas seems to be a very stressful time for people, when it really should be about enjoying time with family and friends and taking some days off of work and school to slow down. However, there is so much pressure to rush and get everything done including buying gifts and shopping. Again, the focus is on consumerism and “stuff” rather than spending time with loved ones and slowing down.
#2. SOCIAL NORMS
From my own experience, I know that there is pressure to work hard and have the best job and be involved in as many activities and volunteer opportunities as possible. Sometimes slowing down is labelled as being “lazy” or “a slacker” or puts you at a disadvantage for school and work opportunities.
I have heard comments at work when people take a sick day or vacation time. There is sometimes a negative attitude towards people who take sick time or vacation time for reasons I don’t understand. I’ve always wondered what was wrong with taking a sick day to feel better? Or vacation time to get away from work stress? Some days you just need to take time off from everything and unwind. But there is this weird social norm that you should always be doing something.
For example, I remember hearing about this trend in Japan where people would fall asleep at their desk to display just how hard they were working and how exhausted they were from their hard work. As The New York Times put it, napping at the office is “seen as a subtle sign of diligence”.
And Daily Mail reports that the “nodding-off-on-the-job culture” started partly because of the long hours Japanese workers have, as well as, the short amount of time they spend sleeping (around 6 hours per night).
This culture of working yourself to exhaustion poses a serious challenge to the slow movement. I don’t think it is quite as extreme in Canada, but there does seem to be more value on a fast pace life and sometimes a negative outlook on aspects of the slow movement.
Interestingly, though, Carl Honore speaks about the Slow Movement on a Ted Talks presentaion and states that Nordic European countries who have been decreasing work hours are actually showing improvements in hourly productivity and reporting increases in quality of life.
#3. KEEPING UP
Keeping up ties largely into the first two challenges to the slow movement – affluenza and social norms. Most people want to fit in and keep up with the latest trends, technology, and current information. Many times this means overworking, wasting time on social media, and spending time on buying “things”. This definitely poses a challenge to the slow movement, because instead of being in the present moment and enjoying life as it is, we are always looking ahead and trying to keep up with everyone and everything else.
An example of this is with young adults and children. In the Ted Talks presentation by Carl Honore, he speaks about burn out in children and adolescents because of the amount of pressure put on them to keep up and get ahead with homework and extra curricular activities. He then goes on to explain that, at a particular school, homework was banned for children under 13-years-old and that there was a 20% increase in math and science exam marks. This just goes to show that a fast pace lifestyle doesn’t always get you ahead faster. Sometimes it gets you to “burn out” faster, when all we need to do is slow down to get ahead.
Opportunities: Unplug, Treat Affluenza, Time to Move
#1. UNPLUG
I listened to “A Slow Phone?” podcast by Carl Honore and I really liked the idea of “stacking”. When a group of people go out to eat, everyone takes out their phones and stacks it on the table, the first person to touch their phone has to pay for everyone’s meal. I like this idea because it gives incentive to unplug for a little while and be present in the moment. It’s a great opportunity to help everyone slow down and enjoy the time they are spending with the people they are with. I think this is a great opportunity to slow down and unwind a little bit.
#2. Treat Affluenza
I think an opportunity to integrate the slow movement is to stop spending money and shopping so much. We have learned in class that there is this vicious cycle of over working to buy the latest products, only to become too drained to enjoy aspects of life, so we buy more things to fill the void, and so we have to work even harder to pay for those things.
“Affluenza” causes lower levels of happiness and it affects both mental and physical health. There are so many people in debt because of over consumption and it really takes away from our ability to enjoy life. An opportunity to slow down could be, instead of going shopping and spending money, maybe go out for a tea with a friend which is a lot cheaper. Another idea could be to spend some time reading a book or pick up a hobby and enjoy and positive experience.
According to a scientific journal posted in Oxford Academic by Carlisle, S. and Hanlon, P., over-consumption has negative impacts on the well-being of individuals, as well as, the environment.
An article by Tori DeAngelis from the American Psychological Association website reports that young adults have grown up with “much more affluence, slightly less happiness and much greater risk of depression and assorted social pathology.”
Consumerism is also negatively impacting the environment. According to Greentumble.com, consumerism leads to increased pollutant emissions, increased land use and deforestation, and accelerated climate change. Large amounts of the Earth’s water supply are being used for material and agricultural production and waste is becoming a global problem. Waste isn’t just affecting the land, it is also harming our oceans. Greentumble.com reports that “it is estimated that over half of the plastic produced every year is single use – this means that it is used once, and then either thrown into landfill or finds its way into the environment”.
#3. Time to Move
Another opportunity to integrate the slow movement is to go outside and be active. I notice that when I am constantly busy running from one place to the next or watching Netflix, time flies by so fast! Because of this, I don’t feel like I have time left for anything else. When I set aside even just one hour a day to go for a walk or bike ride, I feel more energized and feel ready to take on the rest of the day. It is also helps my mental health and by the end of the outdoor time I don’t feel as stressed, and what seemed to be important to get done before doesn’t seem so critical after all. Other ways to incorporate the Slow Movement could be to take up stretching, meditating, yoga etc. Taking the time to move and be active can be a great way to integrate the Slow Movement into your life.
I would LOVE to slow down aspects of my life. Lately I have been eating on the go a lot and have been watching a lot of TV. I think that instead of watching so much TV I can devote some time to enjoy the aspects of home cooking. I actually enjoy being in the kitchen with my husband, together we make some very tasty and healthy meals. Instead of wasting time to look up food on a menu, order it, pick it up, and drive back home to eat it, I could play some music and cook some home cooked meals. I can take my time with cooking and just enjoy the moment and then enjoy the food afterward. This plays into the “Slow Food” aspect of the Slow Movement.
Another thing I can do is limit my TV time and devote more time socializing. I notice that I have been watching TV to unwind and relax, when before I would read a book or spend time with family and friends. An easy way to slow down would be to limit my television time and devote an hour each day with my friends and family, or with my bulldog MacKenzie who is actually a lot of fun.
One last concrete thing I can do is to leave my phone behind. I actually tried this one day randomly and at first it made me nervous! It was a bit of a wake up call when I got nervous to go somewhere without my phone even though I was with three other people who did have their phones. I haven’t tried it since, but I think this is something I can easily do. I can leave my phone at home more often or out of sight and be more present in the moment. When I think about how often I go on my phone and computer or how much time I spend watching Netflix it’s crazy! So much of this time can be devoted to other aspects of my life, and I know this will open up more time to spend on other areas of my life to slow down.
Investigate the chemicals in your personal care products. Use the product guide from the Environmental Working Group http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ to see how your products are rated for carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, etc.
Do an analysis of your purchases for one week. Record all products, food, beverages and services purchased over this period. Create screening criteria to categorize all items as “Good”, “Bad” or “Ugly”. The criteria is up to you, but must be justified. You may wish to consider factors such as: environmental impact, social impact, local or foreign, corporate or small business. Add up the dollar values spent in each category and reflect on where you would like to make changes – if any.
Good:local, environmentally friendly, fresh produce, small business.
Bad: good product but harmful packaging, mix between helpful and harmful ingredients/materials.
I would definitely would like to make a change to the “ugly” section. Most of this money was spent on take-out food that I have been getting this week. Take-out food comes with a lot of packaging and it is not made with the best/healthiest ingredients.
Investigate the options and end fate of your household’s e-waste. Discuss where and how you will dispose of this waste and your future electronics purchase plans in relation to the waste they will one day become.
Currently we store all our e-waste on a shelf in a closet. In the future what we could do is drop them off at a collection site. I honestly had no idea what to do with my e-waste, but a quick google search brought me to recyclemyelectronics.ca and I found a full collection site within 2.36 km of my house! There were many collections sites within 10 km including 3 full collection sites.
Consider your food system and the ways in which you can improve the sustainability the food that you consume and throw away. Are there ways to improve sustainability such as shopping locally, growing your own food or reducing your household’s food waste? Which options might suit your household and value system? Create a plan for one change that you think would improve the sustainability of your food system.
The best way to integrate improvements to my current food system would be to shop locally, plan our meals, and only buy what we need for the weekly meals.
I have started a Pinterest board with recipes and divided them into groups: breakfast, lunch/dinner, and snacks. I then went through each board and picked recipes for the week. Next I made a list of the ingredients I would need for those meals for the one week, and then at the grocery store I stuck to my list! I also went to local grocery stores for most of my groceries, and only went to the big chain grocery store for the few items I could not find at the smaller local shops.
This system will help me eat healthy, spend less money, and waste less.
Zoos:What role, if any, should zoos play in conservation / education?
I think that zoos should solely be for conservation and rehabilitation purposes. I don’t think that zoos should be allowed to purchase animals and keep them in the zoo if it’s not for conservation and protection. When animals do need assistance from zoos I think it’s okay for people to come in and for zoos to provide education. But once the animal is rehabilitated, they should be released back into the wild. If it is not possible to reintroduce them into their natural habitat, then there should be adequate space provided and their living areas should be as close to their natural habitat as possible.
An in class discussion also brought up some good points though. One was: should nature be allowed to take its course without our involvement? I definitely think this is true, but I can see some benefits to conservation and protection, especially when it comes to endangered species. I also don’t have a problem with people coming in to help wild animals when needed. However, I definitely don’t think this is what zoos are doing. Zoos seem to be in it for the money and animals do not seem to be well cared for.
Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos? If so, what size / type of animal or zoo?
I don’t think any current zoos are ethical. If animals for whatever reason do need to be taken from their natural habitat for safety, conservation, or health reasons, then they should be provided spacious places to stay in that mimic their natural environments as much as possible, until they are ready to be released back into the wild.
An article from onegreenplanet.org highlights five species (elephants, tigers, chimpanzees, orcas, and dolphins) and their life in the wild versus their life in captivity. Life in the wild is very different from life in captivity and it has a huge impact on the animals health and well-being. There is actually a term called “zoochosis” because of the negative impacts that captive life in zoos have on these animals:
“The behaviors displayed by zoo animals range from pacing, to rocking and swaying, all the way to aggressive self-directed behavior like self-mutalation, over-grooming, and vomitting.”
It was also very sad learning in class that many mothers in zoos reject their offspring, or don’t know how to properly care for them. Animals aren’t meant to be caged up in small spaces with little to no socialization. Wild animals are meant to be wild.
Do you enjoy visiting zoos?
I used to enjoy visiting zoos until I realized the sad state many of the animals live in. Because of the ethical issue I don’t visit zoos anymore. I first realized the ethical issues with captive animals when I watched the documentary Blackfish. It opened my eyes to the issues of life in captivity for marine animals, and then I also looked into the issues of zoos as well.
I like that I eat plant-based, I usually make a lot of homemade food (not lately though), and I try to buy organic and local food as much as possible. I usually eat pretty healthy with a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Lately, we’ve been busier than normal and have been lacking with variety though.
What do you dislike about it?
The amount of waste. Lately I have been so busy that I haven’t been planning my meals and then I end up buying food or making and wasting whatever food for that day. I also don’t like that I have stopped planning meals. Because of this I have been spending a lot more money on food and more specifically, on food that isn’t as healthy and produces more waste because of the packaging and portion sizes.
My primary concerns about the oceans include aquatic life, biodiversity, and plastics. The ocean is such an essential part of the environment, not only is it beautiful and diverse, but it plays an important role in the ecosystem.
I am very concerned about aquatic life because of the human impact on the oceans from over-fishing, waste accumulation, climate change, and killing of large species.
I think the thing that bothers me the most is a type of fishing called bottom-trawlling. A term I learned about in class.
“Bottom trawling is a type of fishing in which a large steel net is dragged across the ocean floor, catching millions of pounds of sea life per year, including anything from centuries-old coral to sea sponges that will likely not be used by humans. Trawling is a major contributor to sea-life exploitation; however, nothing has been done to stop or even limit it. The result is that marine organisms are quickly dying out…” –ipetitions.com
Earth: Our Common Future website has some interesting facts about coral reef damage and how we can limit this damage.
According to scientists, up to 12 million tons of plastic enters the ocean every year, forming giant floating garbage patches all over the world [5].
Below is a picture of a boy collecting plastic in the coastline in the Philippines:
I found unlimited numbers of photos of garbage zones in the ocean. It’s actually extremely heart breaking to look at these photos. Especially the one’s of dead aquatic life filled with plastic and debris. There definitely needs to be change, and it needs to happen now!
What, if anything, do you plan to do about it?
This Christmas we donated money to organizations supporting ocean clean-ups, aquatic life advocacy groups, and ocean related NGOs. We also try to limit our plastic and harmful waste products. On facebook I post many videos about the oceans to try to bring awareness and fascination for it. Ideally, I would move to somewhere like Hawaii and make a career out of cleaning the oceans… but here in Winnipeg, I try to reduce my harmful impact as much as possible while also sharing the information I know.
How does Truth and Reconciliation in Canada relate to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals?
In order to meet the UNs Sustainability goals, we must work towards Truth and Reconciliation. According to Sanchez and Vaughan of the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Canada is currently failing to meet these 17 goals, especially in Indigenous communities. According to the Canada without Poverty website, “the residential school system has left in its bloody wake a legacy of intergenerational trauma and systemic poverty.” In Canada, one-quarter of Indigenous people live in poverty. This is especially true for those living on reserves. The average unemployment rate on reserves is 50% and the rate raises as high as 90% in some communities.
We are also have an unreasonably high level of food insecurity in Canada. Nearly half of poor Indigenous households face food insecurity. That number rises even higher in Nunavut, where 69% of Inuit adults are living with food insecurity (six times higher than the national average)! Related to this issue is the cost of food on Canadian reserves. For example, on the Kashechewan First Nations Reserve in northern Ontario, one report by TVO current affairs, lists a $30 frozen pizza, $15 for a carton of eggs, $13.42 for a bag of apples, and $12.89 for a head of red cabbage.
A personal example of this is when my mother-in-law went to visit a friend in Churchill. My mother-in-law was shown around the land by these friends and in return she asked what she could bring to them from Winnipeg. Out of all the possible things they could have requested, all they asked for was fresh produce. And so, my mother brought in her suitcase 50 pounds of produce. I have also heard from people who used to live in Churchill about the ridiculously high prices of food – never mind healthy, fresh food, even unhealthy food is unaffordable. How are people living in poverty in these communities supposed to afford food that most middle class people would have trouble affording? This just does not seem right to me.
The effects of poverty and food insecurity play a huge role in poor health outcomes which are then exacerbated by limited health care resources in Indigenous communities. For example, rates of STIs, obesity, infant mortality, and suicide rates among the Indigenous population exceed the national rates (Canada without Poverty). It is also well-known that there is a disproportionate number of Indigenous individuals with diabetes. According to a recent study by Firestone, et.al, the rate of diabetes among Indigenous individuals living in urban areas was found to be 3 times higher than the overall population. Incidents of tuberculosis was found to be 17 times higher than the overall Canadian population.
Indigenous communities in Canada are also disproportionately affected by poor housing, schooling, and drinking water (Sanchez & Vaughan). For example, it has been reported that 73% of drinking water treatment systems on reserves are at high or medium risk of contamination and 50.9% of homes are contaminated with mold and mildew (Canada without Poverty).
Another issue involves gender inequality and the fact that there is an extraordinarily high number of missing and murdered Indigenous women in this Country. This is a complete contrast to the high status, influence, and powerful roles women held in many First Nations in the past (trc.ca page 1-2).
According to the International Institute for Sustainable Development website, “The recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission require urgent action”. In order to meet sustainability in each of the three pillars – economic, social, and environmental – we must work towards reconciliation.
Reconciliation involves establishment and maintenance of a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Canada (trc.ca, page 6). It has also been stated by many Indigenous people, specifically by Elder Reg Crowshoe , that in order for reconciliation to occur, there must be reconciliation with the earth as well (trc.ca, page 18).
I agree with what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at the UN General Assembly:
Here in Canada most of the population is able to enjoy a high standard of living, but we also have an unacceptably high rate of poverty, health issues, and environmental challenges (Sanchez & Vaughan). I think that many people are able to see the problems going on in Canada, and there is desire for change and progress. In order to address these issues, and work towards a better future, we need to work towards equality and focus on creating a better future for generations to come. I think that we have a real opportunity to make changes in Canada.
In the Ted Talks video by Micheal Green, he speaks about what it takes to meet the UN’s sustainable development goals. I found it very interesting to learn that, although economic growth is a factor in sustainability, increases in GDP does not equate to increases in social progress and social sustainability. For example, it was shown that Costa Rica and New Zealand are not the richest countries and only have modest GDPs, however they are maintaining high levels of social progress. I completely agree that governments need to prioritize the well-being of its people and we as individuals need to demand it.
How did the information presented in the talks above affect how you think about nature?
What aspects of nature and biodiversity do you feel are most important to protect? How can you take action to protect this aspect?
AFFECT on my thinking:I never really stopped to think about the inter-connectedness of nature. Watching the first video, How tress talk to each other– Ted Talk, Suzanne Simard, I was interested to learn about “mother trees” and the underground networks that occur between the tree roots and mycorrhizal fungi. I also loved learning about how mother trees provide nutrients and information to seedlings! I always knew trees were important for air quality, for humans, animals, and insects, as well as being aesthetically pleasing among other benefits. However, I did not truly realize the important roles they play for the health of the ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity around them. I have learned that trees, especially these old mother trees, are essential to the life and systems around them. It is already painful to think about the overwhelming amount of deforestation going on around the world, but it is especially hard when you know how special these organisms are.
Here is a link to a website about the importance of trees!
“Approximately 90% of all vascular land plants live in some association with mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizal associations are seen in the fossil record and are believed to be one of the contributing factors that allowed early land plants, including Aglaophyton major (one of the first land plants), to conquer the land.”
The second video, Why I love vultures– Ted Talk, Munir Virani, changed my view on vultures. I always thought of vultures as disease carrying, unappealing birds, but after watching this video I was able to appreciate this species. It was interesting to learn how important vultures are in preventing the spread of diseases. I recently finished watching a documentary on feral street dogs in India and the dangers they come with as carriers of rabies. Without the presence of vultures to clean up carcasses in the area, feral dogs are attracted and bring with them the danger of rabies. As much as I love dogs, I definitely see how much more vultures offer to nature in this way. Vultures may not be the prettiest animals to look at, but that’s the beauty of nature. Just because they aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing to look at for most people, it has no effect on their value to nature. I have a new-found respect for vultures after watching this video. This also ties into anthropocentrism, biocentrism, and ecocentrism. I definitely see the value of all organisms and how inter-connected we all are.
Most important aspects of BIODIVERSITY: This is a very hard question, especially after reflecting on the inter-connectedness of nature. Something as little as fungi, for example, play a huge role in the health of the ecosystem around it. Even if we were to only focus on the importance of mycorrhizae to trees, you can then argue about the importance of trees to air quality, and then air quality to all living things on Earth.
If I just focused on one aspect, I would have to say that protecting natural habitats is one of the most important things to focus on. My view on this was largely affected by what we have learned in class – in order to protect species, we need to protect their habitats.
here is a link to an interesting site about the biodiversity of coral reefs, from the Coral Reef Alliance website.
“The wide variety of species on Earth, whether they’re plants, animals or microscopic organisms, are vital to keep the world’s many ecosystems healthy, balanced and thriving”
“Biodiversity ensures natural sustainability for all life on the planet”
– 5 major threats to biodiversity, and how we can help curb them, by Matt Petronzio
Some ways that I can take action towards protecting natural habitats is to reduce my mark or “footprint”, educate myself and others around me, advocate for the protection of habitats, and join some of the existing groups (NGOs) that are already working towards protecting natural habitats.
Some ways I am currently taking action are through reducing my use of paper, printing materials, and plastics. I also try to buy local products, and choose free-trade and environmentally friendly products whenever possible.
Some other ways I can further reduce my mark, would be to drive less and walk or bike more.
“What has become increasingly clear is that nature conservation must not only focus on areas with high numbers of different species; successful conservation also requires the protection of large, intact ecosystems. These places are becoming increasingly rare and are rapidly disappearing. A 2016 study found that the area of intact wilderness landscapes has shrunk to just 23 per cent of the planet, and has declined by 10 per cent since 1990.”
Spend 1 hour in silence in nature and reflect on the following questions:
Describe where and when you spent your time in nature.
What did you experience in your time in nature? What did you see, hear, smell, feel? What effect did this time in nature have on you?
I spent one hour at the Assinaboine Forest park on a Monday afternoon. It was very calming listening to the leaves rustling in the wind and the birds chirping all around. Every once in a while I would hear an airplane flying overhead, but for the most part I was able to enjoy the sounds of nature.
I was suprised that I didn’t get to see many animals, but I am guessing this is due to the cold weather today! I did get to see some birds and a few bees though. I also really enjoyed looking at the fall-coloured leaves.
The breeze was nice and cool today, and very refreshing! I smelt a variety of “earthy” smells, especially a wet/damp soil type smell.
During this time I felt relaxed, happy, and calm. After the hour I felt surprisingly less stress and more positive. I enjoyed this hour in nature and am hoping to implement this on a daily/weekly basis!
Part 4 : In-class blog questions
Human Environment Connections
What promotes human connection to nature?
Spending time in nature promotes human connection to nature
What promotes disconnection from nature?
Electronics and screen time promotes disconnection from nature
Is there a danger to a growing disconnect from nature?
Yes, there is a danger to a growing disconnect from nature. If we don’t connect with nature we will care for it less. We tend to care for the things we connect with. Not getting out in nature, thereby creating a disconnect, means we will take less care of it.
Worldviews
Where do your environmental ethics lie?
Anthropocentric – Biocentric – Ecocentric
I would say that I am somewhere in between biocentric and ecocentric. I agree that every living thing has value, but I do think some things have more value than others. For example, although I think that bacteria and plants, etc. have value and are essential for nature – ecosystem, species, and genetic diversity – I do think that animals have more life value. But overall, I believe every organism has value and is important to Earth.
I enjoy nature because I care about animals, insects, trees, and other plants. Nature is aesthetically beautiful, but the whole system itself is intrinsically beautiful as well, regardless of the effect or impact it has on me, or humans in general.
Wildspaces
Can parks meet its dual mandate of access and protection?
I definitely think that parks can meet its dual mandate of action and protection.
I think that park protection has to take priority, and access should come second.
One thing that can be done for park protection could be to reduce the amount of residential and commercial buildings within the parks. By building further outside the parks, space does not have to be taken up and species do not need to be removed in order to create that space. This would also help reduce the problem of fragmentation.
Another thing that can be done would be to limit access to parks. This could be done, for example, by prohibiting vehicles from coming in too deep within these large parks. For example, instead of individuals driving in, offer walking, biking, bus tours, etc. to reduce the amount of roads that need to be made.
We can also extend the current laws of protection in place for federal parks to provincial parks. Decisions on protection should also be made by scientists rather than politicians.
The idea of creating city density could help in the protection of parks as well. By limiting the space cities take up, we can leave more space for natural environments.
How can this be achieved in Wapusk?
As I was researching more about this park on the National Geographic website to answer this question, I noticed there are many practices for protection already occurring. For example, access is very limited – it sounds very hard to get to, it is a very remote area, and unescorted travellers are not permitted to visit.
There can also be more public awareness and education on the interesting and important aspects of this park. Creating a connection to the park will help promote protection for it as well.
This is a park with both cultural and natural heritage and is an important area to protect.
– Brittny Turner, 7649754: Environmental Science 2000, University of Manitoba, September 24, 2018.
References: all sources, pictures, and video links can be viewed by clicking on the picture or underlined portion of text.
Environmental Science 