In the past few weeks I have learned a lot of information that has changed how I view the environment. The documentaries that we have been watching in class have been especially eye opening.
We have watched several documentaries such as "Tapped" "Fresh" Green" and "The Future of Food". Most of these documentaries have made me very angry. It seems like all of the documentaries, even though they are talking about different aspects of the environment have one common theme, big corporations are polluting our environment and killing us to make a profit. These big companies are driven by greed and do not care if the products they make are safe, if their plants are killing the environment, and they always seem to target their competition such as small farmers that do not have prayer of a chance of winning a fight. Also, the documentary "Green" as shown me that people and companies think that certain populations are expendable or not as important. It makes me sick to think that these larger corporations are poisoning populations along the Mississippi River and deny that they have anything to do with it. What also is disturbing is that people will protect these companies. I think as consumers, we need to make a statement and let the companies know that we do not believe any population is expendable and what they are currently is wrong. They need to find a new solution.
The documentary "Tapped" also shocked me. The fact that the bottled water companies are basically stealing water from the residents and selling it back to them for 1900 times the original cost. It just is wrong, no one has a right to sell water as a commodity. It is essential to life and everyone has a right to it. I work as a cashier and the next day when I was cashiering and I saw someone by a bottle of water I had to fight the urge not to say something. I think I started discouraging customers from buying bottled water I would be in trouble by my employer.
I also learned about junking. A brief introduction was done and I learned what junking is and what can be created. I find using old things to make new things is really fun and really creative. In fact I did not even think crafting like this was considered recycling, but it totally is! IT is so cool and all of the projects are so unique. It seems a lot better than just buying something generic from a big box store!
Ha, I think it would be bad if I worked at a grocery store. I would probably tell people negative things about the foods they are buying. The water bottle issue is probably the most disheartening or discouraging, there isn't one positive thing about it besides convenience.
ReplyDeleteI think you should totally talk about it to people when you see them buy plastic bottles! IT's a great way to start acting upon what is right for our environment! You should also suggest that they watch the movie Tapped to understand what you are talking about!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about junking and that fact that it's hard to believe it's recycling. This is something I have been doing for years, maybe not necessarily as avid or 'hardcore' as the website we saw, haha, but some none-the-less. Have anyone ever made any junking projects before this course!?
ReplyDeleteI also understand how difficult it would be to not tell these customers not to buy these products that are so harmful to the environment, but even if you tried to say anything they could possibly complain to your supervisor, which would put your career in jeopardy. Its hard to do the right thing when people don't always accept what you're trying to do.
ReplyDeleteI think that you should've spoken up and informed the customer about what you've been learning about exactly how plastic bottles have been affecting our environment. It's sad that there are so many people that are oblivious to these issues, and it needs to be spread!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to the junking project! I think it will be really cool for us to share our ideas with each other. I had also never thought of it as recycling, but you're right-it totally is!
ReplyDeleteI liked learning about junking as well. I'm excited to start working on my project. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do yet, but I can't wait to check out Goodwill and other places!
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