Lab #3

Part 1

1. Why do you think Carson titles this chapter “A Fable for Tomorrow?” Think about the choice of words in the title. Think about what fable teaches us and apply that here.

-          First a necessary understanding of what a fable is and represents is necessary for complete understanding. A Fable as defined by Literary Devices is a short story used to portray a moral lesson, typically giving inanimate objects and animals human-like qualities. I believe that Caron uses this title to describe the downfall of the hypothetical town to show what the world is doing to its resources currently. She uses examples that resonate with human emotion, such as birds singing, and the tiny baby pigglets that pass so suddenly. This fable is not just Carson’s opinion but a lesson she is attempting to show people after uncovering the dangers and the consequences of DDT.

2. What did you know about pesticides before watching the Earth Days segment or reading part of Silent Spring?

-          Before watching the video and reading I was not very familiar with pesticides other than I need to wash anything very thoroughly before eating to ensure that I am not also taking in a large dose of pesticide with my fruit. I was aware more so more produce more readily available throughout the year by engineering/adjusting its characteristics to grow and reproduce in unnatural conditions. I did not think much of the effects of pesticides at the cellular and chemical level of the body but more just the level that eliminates much insect involvement in the environment which is natural and has occurred since we started to harvest and plant food.

3. What do you feel so strongly about that you would want to fully dedicate yourself to it, producing a groundbreaking work of literature, film, music or other media, even if this risked your professional reputation and how others thought of you? Your answer can be hypothetical! Not everyone has a passion that they would carry this far.

-          If I was to produce such literature and media references about my passion it would revolve around the habitat protection for marine life. I feel that many people do not think of the pollution that they cause on a daily basis in our water supply which directly impacts the marine life both fish and other animals in addition to the reefs and other plant life necessary for the life cycle to continue in the water. Seafood is not a very liked delicacy for many and somewhat ignored in my opinion, since people do not see a benefit from the fish and the other life they tend to not place it very highly in their thoughts and considerations when boating, picnicking, traveling, etc. As previously pointed out the water sources cannot be “owned” the water is constantly mixing and because of this, what is happening across the globe still effects our waters and the life living in them which is vital to the working environment that has been present for billions of years.

4. Name four places pesticides exist.

-          Pesticides exist in a multitude of forms and places. Some include: crops and fields, home via pesticides and fumigation, weed repellants, and some antimicrobial pesticides act as preserving agents in substances that are used in the mechanical/construction industry.

5. What are two effects of DDT on birds and mammals?

-          DDT and the products it breakdown into in a metabolic environment (humans, mammals, birds) are very harmful, the concentration of DDT is known as biomagnification which translates into it impacts species higher in the food chain more readily. Birds were experiencing thinning egg shells, and embryonic toxicity. DDT can also cause paralysis and seizures in humans.

6. “Our aim should be to guide natural processes as cautiously as possible in the desired direction rather than to use brute force...Life is a miracle beyond our comprehension, and we should reverence it even when we have to struggle against it...Humbleness is in order; there is no excuse for scientific conceit here.” – Rachel Carson in Silent Spring.

Take a little time to define humbleness in an appropriate manner for this question before answering.

How can we exhibit humbleness in terms of our relationship to nature?

-          In this context humbleness would be defined as a non-invasive approach, somewhat like let life happen as it has, do not try to change and maximize everything.

-          In today’s world there are several ways we can show humbleness to nature and the one that immediately comes to mind is the accidental spill in the river in New Mexico which will now almost certainly impact the Colorado River and several other smaller rivers and lakes, including any wildlife in the waters. The Amazon is being torn apart ruining the ecosystem of several groups of life both animals and plant species. The large impact can globally reduce the oxygen levels as well. Daily activities that include large pollution and heavy impact on nature that has been as it was for millions of years and we are making changes in the ways of life solely for convenience, harming everything we have come to depend upon.

Part 2

            When confronted with the idea of biological magnification I immediately thought of mercury in fish and how in large amounts of fish consumed it carries very serious consequences for humans, so I researched it some and found that the mercury originates in several marine plant species and is in fact a biological magnification that increases every step up the food chain. 

Part 3

I chose Colorado because I have always wanted to live in the mountains and still seek to move there once finished with my education. 

• The overall trend of bald eagle populations in your state during this time period

-          The trend is that over time the overall breeding pair population has been increasing. There have been years where it drops 2-4 from the year previous but then rebounds the following years, this is to be expected due to natural causes and birds leaving/joining the area. There were also a few years that did not have data recorded regarding the number of pairs but between those times there was still an increase the next reporting year.

• The average increase in population for the state you chose. What percentage increase does this represent?

-          There was an increase of 2.38 breeding pairs per year, this accounts for the decrease in populations but not the years with no numbers reported as that would skew the data to a much lower number.

• Two programs that protect bald eagles

-          Two programs that protect bald eagles are:

-          (1) Migratory Bird Treaty Act and (2) Bald and Golden Eagle Act- These acts prevent the sale, possession, destruction, hunting, killing, shooting or harming these species. If a person is caught with contraband or caught preforming an illegal act they can be fined, and imprisoned.

Part 4

If everyone was to live my lifestyle each person/household would need 24.9 global acres of land, or we would need a total of 5.6 Earths. I was completely shocked to find this data. I know from visiting with friends and family that I live a much less impactful life than some so it scares me to know that we do not and will not have enough resources to support these types of lifestyles without drastic change and soon! Most of my footprint came from the food that I consume. I am a large meat eater and this shows me that I should consider shopping much closer to home for my produce and meat than I currently do. I always check the labels to make sure it is US product but I need to go a step further, as in other areas of my life. My household needs to recycle more consciously, we find ourselves starting a recycling bin but then just compile it all together when it comes time to taking it all out. I also do not utilize public transportation and now that I reside in Phoenix, AZ once the light rail system has been developed and made larger it may be much more beneficial for me to use this as opposed to driving every day.