Environmental Health

Susan Koswan’s presentation was very interesting and truly showed how one individual can make a difference. I thought the presentation was creative starting with the dandelion gelato. All of what we have discussed in class thus far was made real with her discussion of pesticides and the impacts they have. In addition, I was unaware that there were environmentally friendly herbicides that could be used in place of pesticides that are similar in price to pesticides. It is unfortunate that it has taken so long for the pesticide ban, however perhaps this small change will hopefully open doors for other changes.

Furthermore, her explanation of the history of her pesticide protest redefined how there is no longer “over there” and that there are issues that need to be addressed here. The article gave several examples of environmental health issues over many years that also highlight areas in North America. I was personally surprised about how the human made toxins from the lights in the World Trade Centre had so many health impacts.

It is too bad that the dandelion festival is no longer, Susan’s discussion of it really broadened my understanding of how the world rids itself of things that are useful. Furthermore, I had no idea that dandelions could be used in so many items from gelato, quesadillas, pizza and sausages. This shows how much we are able to utilize aspects of nature we are trying to rid the world of.

Overall, I thought that the presentation emphasized the most important aspects of the text and Susan Koswan’s aspect made the issues hit close to home.

Technological Change and the Enviornment

This week’s focus was on technology and the environment. I thought Greg and Katelyn really made the idea clear of how we do not consider what happens to our technology when we replace it. This became apparent in the film with computers. It was frightening to know that the computers made in China ended back in China. It saddened me to see the young children taking apart the computers in waste sites. Electronic waste or e-waste I was surprised to see as the fastest growing of international waste. The harmful consequences of this waste will only become apparent in the future.

Technology will continue to be apart of our lives, and this attachment to it will only grow. As much as people should be expected to look into care of their technologies, people may not take the extra step to recycle it. Furthermore, individuals who cannot afford environmentally friendly products should not be stigmatized for it. If it came down to purchasing Kraft Dinner and organic fruit, the Kraft Dinner will last much longer and will feed more people.

The video “Manufactured Landscapes” made the impacts of technology on the environment significant in the state of China a reality. The process of electronic waste and other environmental impacts from corporations will continue to thrive unless world wide there are changes.

Corporate Power

The chapter for this week focused on Corporate Power and how it shapes the media to how the environment is perceived. The ability for average citizens to get unbiased news is become more and more apparent. We have to question every form of media because it is ultimately serving the views of a transnational corporation. For instance, Fox News is an incredible republican news channel. In all of their programs there are more representatives from the Republican Party compared to the Democratic Party. It is difficult for average Americans to understand all sides when their news program is clearly one sided. It is up to the citizen to search for this “unbiased news” however on the most part this will not occur. The film “Manufacturing Consent” reemphasized how the media is controlled through political institutions and elites, it is these groups that ultimately make drastic decision in society. I enjoyed how the article and film incorporated the propaganda model such as the New York Times that create history rather than transmit it.

Multinationals are only concerned with their own profit margins; concern with the environment is their last worry. Corporation’s ability to be “natural persons” allows them to take control and be unaccountable to the environment. An example of this is in the Mexican maquiladoras. Companies have continually degraded their surroundings in addition to poor treatment of the workers. Once the cheapest labor is no longer available they search for it in other countries.

I thought the presentation done by Adam and Tasha thoroughly explained the significance of the corporation and the lack of its accountability towards environmental efforts. The article and the videos they chose well represented the media and the perceptions of the environment it creates along with the significance of the corporation within this. Overall, the corporation will continue to have its influence in society and the media. As citizens we need to position ourselves to educate beyond the media and to see the issues from our own perspectives.