Like many of my fellow students, ENVS 160 helped me dive deeper into the various issues surrounding related to our idea of ‘the environment’, what is ideal and what is undesirable. To say my perspective has not changed so far would be dishonest and I am left with more questions than solutions but I am hopeful for the future and the challenges it brings nevertheless. I started this class with the hopes of finding answers however due to the interdisciplinary approach of the course, I quickly learned that many perspectives are needed to solve political, social and economic problems as all those aspects of society and others are deeply intertwined. I learned solutions may never really be found however considering the various contexts in which we operate would allow us o adapt to our local problems and combat them as best as we can. I have also come to see science as a field as just another way of approaching complex problems and not the master of the universe as it has often been portrayed. In this post I seek to consolidate the lessons I have learned and how I will be applying them in my own scholarly and personal capacities as we move forward.
As mentioned in one of my earlier posts, one of ideas that have shaped my current thought trajectory in relation to environmental issues is Leigh Phillips’ book: Austerity Ecology & the Collapse-Porn Addicts: A Defence of Growth, Progress, Industry and Stuff. Specifically in chapter 3 where the author proposes the notion that there are no limits to the carrying capacity of the earth (Phillips 2015, pp 56- 59) This idea has caused me to not think within a box when approaching problems and to try and incorporate as many perspectives as possible to aid in finding the closest and most comprehensive solutions in a particular time and context. This is important as I move further into the major and my studies in other subjects as it is notable to acknowledge different viewpoints which may prove to be strategic and pertinent in problem solving.
I have also found when I am reading articles and commentaries surrounding various political, economic and social issues that I question the source and why they frame particular issues in particular ways. This is something I relate to the skepticism in the sciences and an idea I draw from Mike Hulme’s book: Why We Disagree About Climate Change: Understanding Controversy, Inaction and Opportunity’ where the author illustrates how different perspectives frame and contribute to the overall meaning and message of an issue based on their own beliefs and also affects our actions. This is important as many a time, negative connotations in relation to problems often causes a lack of action and cohesion as fear is being used rather than framing a problem as an opportunity for innovation.
Overall and moving forward into the major, I hope to be introduced to more perspectives, frameworks and ideas that will enable me to use my knowledge to the best of my ability for those around me.
Hulme, Mike. 2009. ‘Why We Disagree About Climate Change: Understanding Controversy, Inaction and Opportunity.’ Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Phillips, Leigh. 2015. ‘Austerity Ecology & the Collapse-Porn Addicts: A Defence of Growth, Progress, Industry and Stuff.’ Winchester, UK ; Washington, USA: Zero Books. https://books.google.com/books?id=6OSOCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT258&lpg=PT258&dq=leigh+phillips+austerity+ecology+pdf&source=bl&ots=1GZo5DIwWJ&sig=WLxywgMJCVTbbQT6USl1bjgvoGs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj8g-aUzMPSAhVE8GMKHVT5BKAQ6AEINDAF#v=onepage&q&f=false