1. "Environmentalists have long misunderstood, downplayed, or ignored the conditions for their own existence. They have tended to view economic growth as the cause but not the solution to ecological crisis. Environmentalists like to emphasize the ways in which the economy depends on ecology, but they often miss the ways in which thinking ecologically depends on prospering economicall." pg. 6
-The idea of ignoring the conditions of the ecological crisis is horrific. This crisis is one not to look past and unfortunately many of us do. The small changes to one's lifestyle can ultimately benefit the world, however long it may take.
2. "...modern environmentalism, with all of its unexamined assumptions, outdated concepts and exhausted strategies, must die so that something new can live." pg. 10
-This thesis put forth by Nordhaus and Shellenberger that you must kill the idea of modern environmentalism to move forward and help change the way we see things. The possibility of recreating what exactly environmentalism is may help people see that changes are needed.
3. "the fourth truth of global warming has arriveda nd will have increasingly serious consequences...the melting of ice sheets will raise sea levels and increase the threat of flooding, agricultural collapse, and food shortages." pg. 13
-Global warming is a serious issue that will affect the whole world's population. If the seas rise as they are predicted to, much of the food supply will be cut off and will no longer be available to the world. This could increase hunger, which is already a huge problem today.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Three Relevant Quotes from Break Through
(i) "Nothing is more central...than our contention that for any politics to succeed, it must swim with, not against, the current of changing social values" (p.6)"
(ii) "Environmentalists have long misunderstood, downplayed, or ignored the conditions for their own existence. They have tended to view economic growth as the cause but not the solution to ecological crisis. Environmentalists like to emphasize ways in which the economy depends on ecology, but they often miss the ways in which thinking ecologically depends on prospering economically" (p.6).
(iii) "The result is that Americans have seen their wealth and spending power rise, but they have also become increasingly insecure in terms of their employment, retirement, health care, and community" (p.14).
Explanations to come...soon
(ii) "Environmentalists have long misunderstood, downplayed, or ignored the conditions for their own existence. They have tended to view economic growth as the cause but not the solution to ecological crisis. Environmentalists like to emphasize ways in which the economy depends on ecology, but they often miss the ways in which thinking ecologically depends on prospering economically" (p.6).
(iii) "The result is that Americans have seen their wealth and spending power rise, but they have also become increasingly insecure in terms of their employment, retirement, health care, and community" (p.14).
Explanations to come...soon
3 Quotes from "Break Through"
"In reducing their own manifold interests to single essential causes and complaints, liberal-issue groups have inhibited their ability to create the kinds of broad coalitions they need to achieve their goals."
This relates to the view on environmentalism because it shows how people are focused on reducing only one thing at a time in order to stop global warming and reduce their own carbon footprint. However, the issue of environmentalism is not the effect of one problem, it is the effect of many.
"Environmentalists have long misunderstood, downplayed, or ignored the conditions for their own existence. They have tended to view economic growth as the cause but not the solution to ecological crisis."
A good economy does allow for thriving environmentalism. With less focus on how to make ends meet, people can focus on refining their lives.
"The fourth truth about the crises we face is that global warming has arrived and will have increasingly serious consequences, even if we stop emitting all greenhouse gases tomorrow."
This shows how the more we continue to change the environment, the more we add to global warming. As it is, we're already going to be facing consequences of the emissions released up to today.
This relates to the view on environmentalism because it shows how people are focused on reducing only one thing at a time in order to stop global warming and reduce their own carbon footprint. However, the issue of environmentalism is not the effect of one problem, it is the effect of many.
"Environmentalists have long misunderstood, downplayed, or ignored the conditions for their own existence. They have tended to view economic growth as the cause but not the solution to ecological crisis."
A good economy does allow for thriving environmentalism. With less focus on how to make ends meet, people can focus on refining their lives.
"The fourth truth about the crises we face is that global warming has arrived and will have increasingly serious consequences, even if we stop emitting all greenhouse gases tomorrow."
This shows how the more we continue to change the environment, the more we add to global warming. As it is, we're already going to be facing consequences of the emissions released up to today.
Three Relevant Quotes from Silent Spring - Josh Kraskin
"Ultrasonic sound will kill all mosquito larvae in a laboratory tank; however, it kills other aquatic organisms as well." (Carson, p. 288)
This quotation is an example of how certain technologies can have other consequences aside from its desired effect. This relates to Carolyn Merchant's statement that "when humans use nonhuman nature [...] there are often unforeseen 'ecological' consequences.
"An investment in $4,000,000 in biological control work California has received a return of $100,000,000." (Carson, p. 292)
This statistic refers to David E. Nye's notions that investment in scientific research and the technological innovations that it brings about can have profound positive effects on the economy.
"The 'control of nature' is a phrase conceived in arrogance, born of the Neanderthal age of biology and philosophy, when it was supposed that nature exists for the convenience of man [...] It is our alarming misfortune that so primitive a science has armed itself with the most modern and terrible weapons, and that in turning them against the insects it has also turned them against the earth." (Carson, p. 297)
This statement is relevant to Merchant's explanation of how modern science is unfortunately similar to the European colonists perception of nature. This point of view states that man is above nature instead of a part of it, and has every right to manipulate his environment to fulfill his needs and desires.
This quotation is an example of how certain technologies can have other consequences aside from its desired effect. This relates to Carolyn Merchant's statement that "when humans use nonhuman nature [...] there are often unforeseen 'ecological' consequences.
"An investment in $4,000,000 in biological control work California has received a return of $100,000,000." (Carson, p. 292)
This statistic refers to David E. Nye's notions that investment in scientific research and the technological innovations that it brings about can have profound positive effects on the economy.
"The 'control of nature' is a phrase conceived in arrogance, born of the Neanderthal age of biology and philosophy, when it was supposed that nature exists for the convenience of man [...] It is our alarming misfortune that so primitive a science has armed itself with the most modern and terrible weapons, and that in turning them against the insects it has also turned them against the earth." (Carson, p. 297)
This statement is relevant to Merchant's explanation of how modern science is unfortunately similar to the European colonists perception of nature. This point of view states that man is above nature instead of a part of it, and has every right to manipulate his environment to fulfill his needs and desires.
"Break Through" Quotes
"Thinking ecologically depends on prospering economically." (p. 6)
This quote is relevant because it relates to Nye's idea that people's standards of living will fluctuate depending on the economy and what resources are available. If an economy is prosperous, people can focus more on things like green technology, while failing countries can't because they have other concerns.
"Our political goal must be to create a kind of prosperity that moves everyone up Maslow's pyramid as quickly as possible while also achieving our ecological goals." (p. 6)
This idea is based upon the fact that people want to be happy and settled before thinking about problems like the environment. It goes along with Nye's argument that green technology will actually contribute to a growing economy, rather than have the economy grow first and then deal with green technology.
"The challenge for humankind now is not whether we can stop global warming, which is already well under way, but whether we can minimize it, prepare for it, and improve human and nonhuman life while we're at it." (p. 8)
This shows us that we need to focus on creating green technology in order to even have a chance of survival in the future.
This quote is relevant because it relates to Nye's idea that people's standards of living will fluctuate depending on the economy and what resources are available. If an economy is prosperous, people can focus more on things like green technology, while failing countries can't because they have other concerns.
"Our political goal must be to create a kind of prosperity that moves everyone up Maslow's pyramid as quickly as possible while also achieving our ecological goals." (p. 6)
This idea is based upon the fact that people want to be happy and settled before thinking about problems like the environment. It goes along with Nye's argument that green technology will actually contribute to a growing economy, rather than have the economy grow first and then deal with green technology.
"The challenge for humankind now is not whether we can stop global warming, which is already well under way, but whether we can minimize it, prepare for it, and improve human and nonhuman life while we're at it." (p. 8)
This shows us that we need to focus on creating green technology in order to even have a chance of survival in the future.
Quotes from Break Through
"They have tended to view economic growth as the cause but not the solution to ecological crisis."
This quote relates to Nye's concern about the world's carrying capacity.
"Through their stories, institutions, and policies, environmentalists constantly reinforce the sense that nature is something separate from, and victimized by, humans."
This quote is similar to Merchant's idea that the world should view nature as Native Americans did, as nature being force that is uncontrollable and not as something that is to be used for human ends.
"And sustainability is today one of the hottest topics in politics, the corporate world, and the media."
This relates to Nye's essay as it is about sustainability.
This quote relates to Nye's concern about the world's carrying capacity.
"Through their stories, institutions, and policies, environmentalists constantly reinforce the sense that nature is something separate from, and victimized by, humans."
This quote is similar to Merchant's idea that the world should view nature as Native Americans did, as nature being force that is uncontrollable and not as something that is to be used for human ends.
"And sustainability is today one of the hottest topics in politics, the corporate world, and the media."
This relates to Nye's essay as it is about sustainability.
Three relevant quotes from Nordhaus & Shellenberger
1.(page 4) "Civil rights, the environemnt, feminism, labor -- what were once cutting-edge movements are now established special interests."
Significant becuase it clearly states that it is a concern to the government as well because it has become a serious issue internationally.
2. (page 7) "The challenge of climate change is so massive, so global, and so complex that it can be overcome only if we look beyond the issue categories of the past and embrace a grand new vision for the future."
I find this important as it is a suggestion from the writer(s) about how we can make our first step to solving this concern.
3. (page 15) "We argue for an explicitly pro-growth agenda that defines the kind of prosperity we believe is necessary to improve the quality of human life and to overcome ecological crises."
This is relevantly important as it discusses the demands of people in our society as they want to get out of the current ecological crisis our world is facing.
Significant becuase it clearly states that it is a concern to the government as well because it has become a serious issue internationally.
2. (page 7) "The challenge of climate change is so massive, so global, and so complex that it can be overcome only if we look beyond the issue categories of the past and embrace a grand new vision for the future."
I find this important as it is a suggestion from the writer(s) about how we can make our first step to solving this concern.
3. (page 15) "We argue for an explicitly pro-growth agenda that defines the kind of prosperity we believe is necessary to improve the quality of human life and to overcome ecological crises."
This is relevantly important as it discusses the demands of people in our society as they want to get out of the current ecological crisis our world is facing.
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