Getting Into the Flow: Sheila's Blog

       Ocean, lakes, rivers, streams, puddles: water is everywhere and we use it in multiple ways . It is used to water plants, wash the dishes, drink, take showers, wash you hands-- these just are the most obvious ways. People don’t think about it, but water is also used in the making of clothes, making food, and plenty of other ways . You may not know this: 70 % of the earth is water, but only 2.5 % is fresh water.  The rest is too salty to drink . And from the 2.5 % of fresh water, only less that 1% is available for us to consume because the rest is trapped in glaciers. This is an important fact, because if we keep misusing our fresh water then we won’t have enough water for the human population: that's what Mr. Madsen taught us.

        This week in most our MSEL classes we focused more on water and ways we humans affect the environment. In World Geography , we watched The 11th Hour, in English, we spent time working on our “Trash Talking Essay” and spoke about socially acceptable addictions, and in Seminar we continued working on our “Ocean Acidification” projects, using Prezi.

        Throughout the week, Ms. Leonhart had us work on our “Trash Talking Essays”*. There is probably no better way to evaluate how much waste we produce on a daily basis than to carry a bag for twenty four hours and fill it with your own garbage. I think it helped us become more cautious and aware. Now, I notice more people carrying reusable water bottles and also bringing reusable plastic containers for snack or lunch. My personal experience with this project was that I found it difficult to carry a bag and fill it up with my garbage. At times I would forget to do it, but in the end, I learned from this experience that its important to reduce our waste habits. If just 25 people produce so much trash, imagine how much much the whole population puts on the Earth. It’s a tremendous amount of weight that we all put on the Earth.

        

The 11th Hour explained to us how humans affect the environment and also what we are doing to decrease our fossil fuel footprint. We as humans create vast amounts of pollution. Fossil fuels are substances made from remains of ancient plants and animals that reside deep inside the Earth. Over time, heat and pressures turn decompositions into fuels which release a huge amount of energy when burned. Coal, oil, and natural gases are the three main fossil fuels that humans use. Fortunately,  scientists and many other people are coming up with more and more ideas to to save our environment.  One idea they have is to build a photosynthetic building . This was scientist William McDonough’s idea. That means buildings could act like trees and plants and take in CO2 and produce oxygen for us to take in .  Isn’t that clever ? In my opinion,  we need more people thinking like William McDonough : outside of the box.

        In Seminar this week, we worked on our ocean acidification projects. We researched the oceans of the world, and helped each other learn how acidification has social and economic impact as well as environmental.  From the projects, we’ve all learned that the more acidic the water is, the fewer sea creatures are able to stay alive. Having fewer fish, oysters, shrimp, octopi and other sea life affects our economy (and the earth) tremendously. If we don’t have enough food to sell then the economy worsens, and many fishermen could potentially  lose their jobs. There’s plenty of other affects of ocean acidification , but its important to conserve our oceans. We are a part of a food chain. We look at it like a pyramid where we are at the top, but in reality, it’s a chain, and when one animal suffers, so does everyone else.

We have a long way to go, both as individuals and as a whole planet. Together we can come up with innovative ways to reduce fossil fuels, reduce pollutions, and help our oceans from further ocean acidification. Marin SEL is just the beginning, but we’re part of a chain, too. If we commit ourselves to the work we are beginning, we can accomplish our goals and encourage more people to be aware and act in the service of the earth and all its connected inhabitants.

*Students have been working on observational writing: paying close and objective attention to our environment to see what it can tell us. With this assignment, we’re seeing what insights our trash can yeild. Thus, “Trash Talking.” Much more constructive than the usual kind!