This last post is all about what I have learned from this course and how I will use it in my life as a person and as a student. It is important to reflect on what I have learned so I can think of how to use it effectively and correctly in order to get the most out of this course.
One of the main things I am going to leaving this class with is the idea that no matter how many small things we try and do in our own lives (like driving hybrids, or riding bikes or composting), it is not quite enough to make a big enough change. These things are good habits and practices and of course should not be stopped but they should also not be the only thing that we try to do to make a difference. This was elaborated on in great deal by the book Who Rules the Earth who encourages making bigger changes in our lives, and that is advice that I plan to use in my own life (Steinberg 2015). Maybe I can be more active in politics and local government to try and make a bigger impact. Or through continuing my education I can learn more ways of making bigger change whether through politics or environmental organizations, I want to try and use this idea of trying harder than most people do through limiting themselves to only simple actions.
In order to tackle climate change we need to educate people more. I learned this lesson especially during our first unit on the book Why We Disagree about Climate Change, as well as by doing the climate change survey which really showed me how different education levels and backgrounds that people have influence their opinion of what climate change even is and how important it is. I think that if better education is offered more widely, then there will be a better chance that actions toward fighting against climate change will be successful because more people will be on board (Hulme 2009). With the lessons I have learned from this class possibly I can educate people with what I have learned.
Another takeaway I have is that we cannot blame natural disasters and the earth and political disagreement towards science and environmental issues for what is going on, because it is our fault for not trying hard enough to take care of the earth and deal with environmental issues in a way that is effective (Latour 2011)
Overall, I have learned a lot of important lessons that I will absolutely use in my life going forward and I am excited for the new knowledge I have gained and the opportunities that are ahead of me where I will be able to use these new ideas going forward.
Works Cited:
Hulme, Mike. 2009. Why we disagree about climate change: understanding controversy, inaction and opportunity. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Latour, Bruno. 2011.Love Your Monsters: Postenvironmentalism and the Anthropocene. Edited by Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus. United States: Breakthrough Institute
Steinberg, Paul F. 2015. Who rules the earth?: how social rules shape our planet and our lives.