Thursday, 12 March 2015

Blog Questions

Consider your food system: What do you like about it? What do you dislike about it? Consider taste, nutrition, cost, equity, and environmental issue.

My food system is predicated upon one word: convenience. Although I try not to eat a lot of fast food and try to avoid an unhealthy diet, I do eat out a lot. My groceries are bought at large supermarkets, primarily because the cost is so much cheaper. I cannot tell the difference in taste in nutrition from local farms to mass markets. I hate the idea that the meat I buy came from large animal farms that do not provide their livestock with an adequate way of life, but cost and convenience is definitely a determining factor. These supermarkets transit a huge bulk of their inventory via trucking systems which increase the amount of CO2 being placed into the atmosphere. I know that by buying locally I can reduce my environmental impact, but sometimes I am of that mindset that my choices—if I were to change—will have virtually no impact whatsoever.

What role, if any, should zoos play in conservation/education? Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos? If so, what size / type of animal or zoo? Do you enjoy visiting zoos?

I believe that zoos can play a very important role in conservation and educating people about animals in the wild. It is, however, difficult to accomplish in a manner that is ethically sound when providing a proper habitat and way of life for these animals. Elephants should not be kept in zoos, as it is clearly evident that elephants live longer in the wild than in captivity. I am not sure what animals might benefit from an artificial habitat; the best, I would assume, would be some birds, reptiles, and fish and other marine animals. The larger the animal, the more adequate housing and resources needed to provide proper care for the animal. Keeping animals in captivity definitely draws a fine line that divides two ends of the spectrum: one might reason that animals, especially endangered animals need protection (and some zoos advocate in restoring these species in hopes they will one day return to the wild); another might reason that the best way to promote care for animals in the wild is to educate and view them in captivity. I have been to three zoos in my lifetime: Assiniboine Park Zoo, the Kansas City Zoo, and a zoo in Brisbane, Australia. Some of these were kind of deplorable, and I felt bad for these animals (the cheetah exhibit in Kansas City was so enclosed that the animals were never able to run if they wanted to), and others were great experiences where I learned a lot and got to interact with animals native to the country (the zoo in Brisbane). Nonetheless, the argument whether zoos do more harm than good is an issue that will be continued to be argued for many years to come.

What I am doing to promote sustainability and happiness in my life?

In the past year, I have already made some major changes that, I think, have affected my lifestyle for the better. With the hopes of living a more sustainable lifestyle and reducing my environmental impact, I moved into a smaller place that still accommodates my needs. I try not buy extravagant things anymore without making a conscious decision whether I need it or not. I have been accustomed to buying used things now, and have liquidated many of my assets as well. In the past year, I have also tried to rely more on public transportation and carpooling, and have started riding motorbikes as an alternative to driving a vehicle.

What I would like to do?

I would like to continue and live as I currently do, and have others be able to follow suit. Education is the most important thing to promote a conscious connection to the environment, and I intend to pass the message along. I would also like to shop more locally, and be able to eat healthier as well. Composting, being important as it is, will be another practice I will begin in order to live a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.


I pledge to: do my best to reduce my carbon footprint in the world, and encourage others to do the same.

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