Globalization VS Environment Preservation?

Upon watching the documentary film “11th Hour,” I have learned and realized a lot of things. There are a lot of problems faced by people all over the world in terms of preserving and conserving our nature. However, most of the government officials focus on the economic dilemmas encountered by each country. It was mentioned by one of the speakers in the video, “The environment will survive and we’re the ones who might not…” This is because the environment has its own ways of coping up with the occurrences that are arising, and the changes made by the environment may not be the same as the life we are living now. It was also said in the film that the “earth is an infected organism.” Infected in such a way that different advancements are made without even considering its possible effects to nature, slowly destroying the beauty that we have now.

The future generation may question us “What are you doing?” for we do not see the damages that we have caused, and how much destruction to nature we have given. Quoting again one of the speakers, “We are causing our own suicide.” This is for the reason that global civilization is made by our own minds and has a big impact on earth. Global understanding between our relationships with earth is obviously absent.

Due to global warming caused more heat to star here and radiate in the environment. It destroys our natural resources and our nature environment. One scientist said that more than ninety per cent of the human body is made up of microorganism cells, fungi and other microscopic organisms that also compose the earth. That is why he said “The thing that makes us human is not human.” This is what should people realize. Nevertheless, nowadays a lot of people possess an opportunistic mind. But if we use our brain wisely “human mind is the key to our survival.” It amazes me how enhancements in the world today are made leading us to think of the future. It was said “Human invented the concept of future…” that is why we are aware of what can happen in the future. However, if we already know what can happen in the future, why are we still doing things that can totally kill nature?

No matter how we look at things, we are part of nature for we are nature. We usually think that we are separate from nature, making us superior beings. But in fact, we are not. Nature used to be an abundant and powerful resource. Sunlight can be a rich source of heat supply, light supply and energy. All these things are taken for granted, forgetting the price we will pay once we fully neglect the capabilities of nature. Too many sources are used because the population growth is fast increasing. Humans most of the time makes use of non-renewable energy rich fossil fuels which in return cause various diseases and acid rain. Without even knowing the damage and effects to nature, two hundred years of industrialization took place all over the world.

Climate change which is caused by carbon dioxide dumped in the water and affected the air. Everyday the temperature changes by a few degrees, nevertheless, as what Leonardo De Caprio said “…few degrees may bring us catastrophic change.” Extreme heat is occurring. Extreme flood caused by hurricanes can also take place more often. Global warming is the consequence of our actions. Deforestation produces more carbon dioxide, in return, warming of seas trapped in the ocean floor, and melting of the ice in the arctic speeds up. The natural greenhouse effect has been affected by human activities that produce unnatural greenhouse gases. Speed of natural changes increases because of humans, and as a result, the earth is warmed up.

All of these things contribute to global warming. A scientist said that it is possible that one day earth may have an atmosphere similar to Venus where no living thing can survive. In lieu to that, another said that “Every living thing in the biosphere is in decline… For not one living thing is stabled.” Extinction of animals happens because of natural occurrences. We do not realize that once we lost something in nature, we cannot have it back.

One of the favourite lines that I heard in the film is “We are very responsive entities…Very responsive to wealth and money.” I think this negative notion about people’s way of thinking should be enough for us to start acting and thinking differently. Treating life with respect, love and great humility is a must for us to be able to understand our passion for the life that we have and for the place that we live in. It is not only about creating policies and laws, but it is about finding solutions and providing a remedy to the problem.

The 11th Hour Reaction Paper

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Piñon, Jan Catherine G.

The 11^th Hour Reflection Paper

by Samantha Martrella S. Barretto

The 11^th Hour clearly shows how our world is being destroyed naturally and artificially which became an alarming documentary film to everyone. This film was first shown last August 2007 at the Annual Cannes Flim festival. It was directed by Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners. Leonardo de Carpio is the narrator for this film. He is also the producer. The 11th hour is distributed by Warner Independent Pictures.

The 11^th hour talks about the different issues our environment is facing such as global warming. Several individualities shared their ideas on what is happening to our world and suggested concrete solutions on how we can survive this crisis. I agree with Thom Hartmann when he said that the human culture thinks that we are superior life form on this earth but truth is we are part of nature. We are nature. With this thinking, human beings tend to take things for granted like how we treat animals. Some people kill them after which they will eat or even use them for clothing. Seeing this example makes us very inhuman. We don’t take care of each other that’s why endangered species are starting to vanish in our world. The film also says that we may have technology now but we are not using it properly. According to Lester Brown, we should use our technology to adapt to the economy today but sad to say time is running out. The 11^th hour showcases how important the sun is to us. It has the most energy and it can provide energy to everyone around the world thus we can substitute the sun for the fuel we are using today. Solar powered cars and roofs are being promoted for us to use to be able to maximize our sun light. One solution that struck me the most is the dance club being powered by the human movement. I believe that our advancement of technology today can produce this kind of set-up but we were afraid to take the risk. As what mentioned in the film, this can reduce the human’s footprint by 90%. All of the solutions being presented in the film may mean shifting on what we are used too to something that will make us better humans and surpass this crisis. Nevertheless, the 11^th hour reminds us to use our resources wisely.

What bothers me is that this film was shown last 2007, 5 years ago. If 5 years ago our biosphere is greatly damaged what more now after 5 years. This is one truth that everyone is scared to hear and believe. Watching the film, made me realize and appreciate the small things we have such as the sunlight, wind, water and movement we do. I salute the people who are part of this film that they were able to think of alternative ideas that will surely help us solve this predicament. I also realized that our environment is not really the problem, it is us, humans, who are creating the problem and now we are paying for our own actions. As a Lasallian, I am now more conscious of my actions in my environment. I support the no plastic bag campaign in our country. I bring my own reusable bag where I place all my purchases while in my household; they follow strictly the segregation policy of our village where they should separate biodegradable trash from non biodegradable. These small actions may seem overuse and common but I know and believe that it will have a big impact in saving our mother nature. Personal action is the key in making our world the healthy and fit for the future generations. 

The Raising Issue: Global Warming

Echavez, Victoria Ann M
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              Disappointing – it’s the word that would best describe how I feel towards the environmental conditions that we have on earth. Indeed the earth’s environmental distraction is brought about the collective harsh treatment that we put on this planet but for me if only the different countries would have been wiser even before that not all the good things that each country have will last forever. For me all this environmental issues that have been rising up on our planet could be stopped if only the different countries would be concern on how they/we have been inflicting damage to the only planet in the universe that is capable of sustaining life.

            There are times that we should learn how to set aside personal gains and be able to think about the benefit of the whole humanity. For me countries would be able to do that if they would be more focused on the different activities that are happening inside their territories. They should be more vigilant in terms of making sure that the natural resources and living conditions of all living things under their governance would be given importance. They should be able to implement laws that would make sure that the planet is not being destroyed. This should be given importance not only for the citizens but as well as the different companies that are within the territory of a certain country. The different countries should have the control over especially when it comes to the big companies out there. Yes, these companies may be helping out the economy of a certain country but are they helping out in the conservation of the planet as well? The government should be wiser enough in monitoring these companies and as well as the people inside their territory when it comes to having one goal of preserving and saving the things that are left of us.
            One thing that I have noticed is that we may have government agencies which handles this concerns but what I can see and feel, specifically in our country is that most of the efforts in helping out or taking care of the environment are coming from the private sectors. I think that indeed private sectors or non-government agencies are indeed more effective in promoting environmental issues that should be taken notice of.
            For me this can be achieved if the laws would be firmer and the different officials of the different agencies in a country would be more concern for the planet and not just always about gaining money. Afterwards if the set of laws that would be implemented are made it will now boils down to the disciple of the citizen of the country to make it happen and a success.