Revised Essay Draft

"Green isn't really my color"

My relationship with nature is not as critical as it probably should be. For the most part, I don’t identify too much with the environment on a personal level. I do feel fairly disconnected with nature; I tend not to think about it unless I have to. I suppose I should have some connection because this environment creates my home and allows me to live my everyday life, but still, I feel that the environment is more of an abstract entity, therefore I find it harder to become emotionally attached.

I do believe that the environment is a critical aspect in all human life. There is only one planet Earth, so it must be preserved, to allow it to thrive for a long time to come. My belief that humans should preserve the environment is mostly out of respect. I don’t exactly know where this feeling of respect comes from. I suppose it’s mostly just a feeling of obligation. Since this land was originally an undisturbed, sacred place, I feel that people have a duty to protect it. Although some good may have come from humans living here, essentially, it seems we have caused more harm than good. Therefore, I definitely agree that human interest should not be placed above what’s best for the environment.

I feel that it is disrespectful to destroy parts of the land, displacing animals from their habitat and killing off plant species that have been around for thousands of years. One thing I do feel strongly about in the environment is animals. I continue to be surprised by how many animals are in danger of extinction, mostly due to the destruction of the land and resources they need to survive. I remember a recent trip to the Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo with my family. My sister and I made it a point to visit the polar bear exhibit because we knew they are now endangered. It was a sad experience because I realized that polar bears have become endangered during my lifetime, remembering the time when this was not the case.

I suppose my environmental ethics have mostly come from the media. The media greatly influences my environmental ethics because honestly, without seeing these issues discussed on the news, or hearing debates on “green” energy during the presidential election, the environment would never cross my mind. I honestly know that the media does not do the greatest job presenting these issues, but when I see the issues in the media, at least it gets me thinking.

My parents do have a small influence also. My parents have always tried to do little things like recycling aluminum cans, taking shorter showers, and turning off lights to save energy. For the most part I try to follow their lead but it is easier to forget now that I don’t live with them anymore.

While I do thoroughly enjoy spending time outside on a sunny day, I’ve never been much of an outdoorsy person; I’ve never even been camping once. So therefore, I don’t have much experience with regards to the environment and my education up to this point has not changed that circumstance. In my high school experience we never really addressed many issues involving the environment. I am more of a biology person, but freshman year in high school we were required to take Earth Science. While I remember learning about erosion, recycling and other trivial things, but it seems that nothing we looked at has stuck with me enough to create a true interest in the environment at this point in my life.

I do have a feeling of being naïve. I obviously realize that there are some humongous problems facing the environment which will threaten our well being in the long run. When I do see this issues addressed on the news, I am often surprised at how devastating the consequences can be. Surely there can be other factors affecting the environment but our actions make up a huge part of the problem.

Even though I don’t identify much with nature, I do identify with important places in my life, and I would be heartbroken if a significant place in my life were to suddenly disappear. Nothing much ever changes where I live and so I hadn’t thought about a situation like that until we read “After the Flood”.

Fortunately, I have not had to deal with an experience like this, yet. Living fifteen minutes from downtown Cleveland there doesn’t seem to be many places in nature that I really identify with, but I can think of one place from when I was younger, that would be the closest thing. When I was younger, my grandparents used to take my sister and me to a recreational area in Hinckley, Ohio when we would spend weekends with them. I don’t remember it perfectly, due to my adolescence, but it was a special place. We used to fly kites out in the large meadow on sunny days, take small hikes in the wooded area, and stop by the creek to dig for red clay with my grandmother. Even though I haven’t been to this park, for nearly ten years, if I were to go back and find it drastically changed, I’m sure I would be devastated.

This essay has caused me to really reflect on my relationship, or lack thereof, with the environment. I feel almost uncomfortable stating views on the environment, including what others should do, when I am definitely not the poster child for ethical environmental behavior. I do, however, think that the opportunity presented through this class will help me to further explore my ideas and ethics, while hopefully expanding my knowledge on these important environmental issues.