A Glimpse Of History- Ice Cores

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Paleoclimatology_IceCores/
    In The Ends of the Earth: Perspectives on Modern Environmental History, Donald Worster tries to get the point across that environmental history has to form a tight alliance with science. To become more applicable and credible. Scientist are using ice cores to compose an environmental history of Earth.
    Ice cores are cylindrical ice blocks removed from the Antarctic. When laid out vertically ice cores can give all type of information by the horizontal stripes formed from snow deposited. Similar to how tree trunk rings can provides on with information on the past. Throughout the years layers of snow fall upon the ice sheets. The layers of snow are each different with unique chemical make ups. During the summer months when Antarctica has 24 hours of sunlight the snow melts to form its own layer. Its these layers that scientist use to study the history of Earths climate. Ice cores have been pulled out from depths beyond 3000 m, 2 miles, and have recorded on them the history from 750,000 years ago.
    Ice cores can provide many much information from their make up. With the right calculations they can find out a multitude of information from a block of ice. The thickness of each layer can be used to calculate the snow fall of any year. Chemicals found in the ice can tell of chemicals in found through out the atmosphere. If ash is found it can be concluded that their was a volcanic eruption in that time period; while the amount can conclude the magnitude of the eruption.  Upon further studies ice cores can provide an annual record of temperature, precipitation, atmospheric composition, volcanic activity, and wind patterns. They are time capsules that allow us to look into the past.
    Using information gather from these ice cores in Antarctica (as well as glaciers all over the world) and other means scientist are able to understand the Earth’s climate history. The ice has remain preserved and undisturbed providing a credible resource. 

Religion and the Environment

      Though we might not see it religion and the environment hold a very deep relationship. In the US 75% of the population describes themselves as either Christian or Catholic. Religions were people worship an almighty God. They pray for their health and the health of others, for a better life, more money, or a change in their life. These religions focus more on the relationship between them and their God.
    This might seem strange to people of other religions. Especially the ones that value the environment as much as they value their God(s). Whose God(s) is not based around a person but a symbol of nature. Found common throughout many religions is the Sun God. The God that provides warmth and light to its followers.Who can cause a bountiful harvest or a drought that starves his people. In Hinduism it’s the God Surya “the Supreme Light”. Ra of the “the midday sun” was the ancient Egyptian Sun God. The ancient Greeks had Apollo whose chariot led the Sun across the sky. Another common theme between these religions and Christianity and Catholicism is the theme of light. On the first day God said,”Let their be light” which could imply towards the creation of the Sun. In these other religions near the beginning there was an absence of  light which was provided by their Sun God. The Sun God is just one example that ties back to the environment. Other Gods can be traced back to the rain, the Earth, the Wind, the Oceans, and many other elements.
    Monotheistic religions in the state find it harder to relate back to nature. While people all around the world seem to easily form a bound between their religion and their God(s). In some cases both being one in the same. Letting them have a better understanding of their surrounding and nature. People in America are disconnected from the environment. Their business life takes up their entire life and they barley have a chance to stop and smell the roses.

Ecopedagogy

    “Towards Ecopedagogy: Weaving a Broad-based Pedagogy of Liberation for Animals,
Nature, and the Oppressed People of the Earth” written by Richard Kahn that touches upon many aspects of the environmental movement in industrial world that we live in. It helps paint a picture on the current view points that people hold on the environmental movement. By helping us understand how corporations and greed have led to the over consumption of our resources. As well as addressing the problem faced with teaching the next generation about the environment and sustainability.
    As we begin the 21st Century we stand on the edge of an abyss we no way of turning back. In part to the progressive movement know as globalization. Kahn makes a reference to “The Enemy of Nature” by Joel Kovel. Which documented the degradation of of natural resources over the past 50 years. As well as “The Limits to Growth” which helps paint a picture of  “political economy that is literally over-producing and consuming the planet towards death.” (Kahn pg.2) The rates at which resources are being consumed can be described as exponential equivalent to our population growth rate.
    The current educational system is deemed inadequate at teaching environmental topics. Which have helped “developed ideas and practices of environmental preservation and conservation, struggled to understand and reduce the amount of pollution and toxic risks associated with industrialized civilization.” (pg. 5) The way environmentalism is taught at a basic lack theoretical and politicized coursework, while focusing on only the basics of the environment. Becoming more of an expansion to a biology course then its own. Which leads to misconception such as “45 million Americans think the ocean is a fresh source of water” (pg. 6) A great example brought up in Kahn’s essay is the School of Environmental Studies, or Zoo School. Where students attend school at the zoo grounds and nearby parks instead of the classroom setting. While still learning the basics taught in school they “ conduct independent studies and weave environmental themes into their curricular work.” (pg. 7) While it might seem like a poster child for the environmental movement it is still lacking. Focusing more on improving test scores and performance then addressing moral and political issues.
    In the latter part of the essay Kahn addresses more of the political side of the environmental movement. Here it becomes quite easy to get lost and loss focus on the point Kahn is trying to get across. The reader can be overwhelmed with facts. From information and critique on the Earth Summits and Clinton era policies, to what environmentalist would like to seem changed in the system.
    Kahn’s essay provides quite the deal of information. By stating his opinion on the matter as well as referencing the works of others such as  Kovel, Scully, and many more. His writing was directed to a mature environmental audience with prior knowledge of his work and topics. Making ti quite the challenge to read. Through out his essay he makes many valid points; at times freely jumping around from one to another making it quite hard to follow. At times having to reread a section to get the full meaning. If the Kahn’s essay had been better organized with a natural flow it would have appealed to a much greater audience.

Kahn, Richard. "Towards Ecopedagogy: Weaving a Broad-based Pedagogy of Liberation for Animals, Nature, and the Oppressed People of the Earth."