Team 1: What is Sustainability?
Team one explained that sustainability goes beyond environmentalism, and it is being able to functionally coexist in ways that benefit all organisms. There are three topics of sustainability; ecological sustainability, economic opportunity, and social inclusion. This group also mentioned the three E’s being; environment (planet), economics (profit), and equity (people).
Team 2: A Brief History of Sustainability.
The concept and beliefs of sustainability have changed and improved drastically over the decades. Team 2 taught us that the growth of awareness and knowledge of interconnectedness has advanced and caused a higher level of appreciation for the environment and natural world. Our survival is solely based on the way we treat and give back to the earth.
Team 3: The Biosphere.
My group was team 3. We discussed the biosphere which includes three spheres; the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Biodiversity refers to the variations of organisms on our planet. For instance, there are 5 kingdoms that scientists have identified: plants, animals, fungi, protists, and bacteria. The circle of life depends heavily on the functions throughout these kingdoms. The biosphere is essential for existence because it provides an environment that is sustainable for life. Each sphere benefits and is connected to one another to sustain a habitable environment. Changes in spheres will affect all in consecutive order. Though some changes occur naturally, others can be preventable by limiting harmful human activity.
Team 4: The Human Sphere.
The multidimensional issues that our earth faces, are all connected and can be primarily be credited towards human behavior. These issues include; poverty, health, overpopulation, resource depletion, food and water scarcity, political instability, and the destruction of the biosphere. Group 4 also taught us that population growth has increased tremendously. At the rate we are continuing, if we do not become better stewards of our natural resources and take better care of our environment, the human population will suffer greatly.
Team 5; Waste, Recycling, and Keeping America Beautiful.
The most memorable topics from this team were examples of tires and electronic waste. Tires make a large percent of the landfills that continue to destroy our earth. Unfortunately, most tires are not made with eco-friendly material, making them hard to properly discard. They can release chemicals into the soil, and if burned, they release irreversible toxins into the atmosphere. These toxins and poisons are harmful to humans and plants. Similar to tires, electronics are like; cell phones, computers, televisions, and microwaves contain thousands of toxic material, making them hazardous and a pollutant to the environment.
This is what I have learned from the professor during the first five classes:
Dr. Nding’ui has taught us the importance of our personal impact on the earth and ways we can limit leaving a harmful ecological footprint. During class, we have discussed alternatives to wasting food, plastic, and other resources. Dr. Nding’ui has educated us on the principles of sustainability and how FGCU holds this value to such high standards.
This is what I learned from the other students during the first five classes:
I’ve learned that working together is essential to getting tasks done. We all depend on each other and all of our opinions and contributions are crucial to this class. Other students in the class have taught me different perspectives and ideas on being more earth-friendly, and what that means to them.
This is my contribution to the class:
I have contributed greatly to my team presentations. We are all very helpful and there for each other when we have questions. I also try to be attentive and participate in discussions in class. Giving my help to other students (especially in our group chat) is part of my contribution to this class.
The overall learning experience:
So far, I have learned a lot about sustainability, FGCU’s natural habitat, and how they work on keeping the environment pure and clean. I think this class has given me a lot of perspective on how we have truly hurt our earth. However, I am more educated on the ways I can reverse my negative habits, and become more eco-friendly.
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