As stated earlier, I feel like the readings imply that we do not comprehend the shared relationship humans have with nature. I do not think it is their ideology, but instead, they promote us (the readers) to look at the bigger picture and not be so close-minded and notice the little details that make, for instance, the desert.[1]
As time passes, plants and animals seem to become closes to becoming extinct, and like the question said, pests seem to multiply is simply a matter of sickness symptoms in the land organism. People nowadays do not care since they believe it has nothing to do with them or will not affect them and often dismissed it.[2]
I believe that no one has the right to take someone else’s life, no matter if they are human or animals, or plants. Life is given to us, and no one has the right to take it. Instead of targeting the animals, there should be a safe place for them to be relocated if needed instead of killing them. This is how animals typically become extinct because of all the hunting.[3]
The formation of the Sonoran Desert biotic community as a whole and the formation of the human societies that are here now I do think they are parallel. Since both need evolution to create basically everything they are (plants, in some cases animals, technology, medicine, etc.) but the only difference is that while evolving one does not cause any harm to the other and the other one does.[4]
In “The Geological Origin of the Sonoran Desert” the author describes the stages of development that led to the formation of the Basin and Range Landscapes. While there were many aspects to this story that really amazed the one that stood out the most was the fact regarding the mountains in Tucson they were composed from a volcanic episode. I mean I always knew Tucson would be interesting, but I just assumed mountains were all just basically big piles of dirt and rocks (I was wrong).[5]
The word "desert" by itself can be misleading. For instance, before this class whenever I read a book or an article that contained the word desert I would automatically assumed it was boring since I thought of words like dry, dull, or boring. I basically assumed the worst without actually giving it a chance. After doing the reading I can tell you the word desert is quite the opposite. It is full of life and vibrant colors and just like the reading stated of animals like coyotes, mules, deer's, etc.[6]
Water (Gregory McNamee and the Gila River Continue)
In regards to how likely are the solutions that McNamee proposes for reversing the destruction of the Gila watershed well it all depends on the effort everyone as a community puts in. I like to be optimistic and think that everything is possible. Personally, I do believe rivers should have rights as well since they are overall everyone including plants and animals main source of life. We don't want to damage or destroy our main source so we ought to take care of it by giving it rights.[7]
Our main worries back then were giving enough water to plants and helping them grow. Now it seems like our main concern is what filter to use or what angles should pictures be taken. I feel like this is ridiculous. There are bigger problems that concern the environment which should concern us, and we do not do anything about it now what future do we hope for future generations.[8]
I do believe it is “human nature” to seek dominate and own what we find most beautiful, even if possessing it changes its essence. I think we have to feel in control in order to feel powerful or successful. We constantly have been told that if we fight for what we want we can have it which should not really apply to everything.[9]
I do not believe that the new habitats that are basically created from humans are “just as good.” They are inherently inferior since by doing so they are harming the environment. Having altered habitats everywhere in the world could also make it hard for other species to survive since they already have adapted to their habitats and if it is altered it could make it hard for them to survive. I personally feel the situation would be extremely difficult to reverse.[10]
Restoring biodiversity is so much healthier in every way, I believe that the reason we do not simply do it is because again going back people do not like being told what to do they like to have control. This could also have something to do with the lack of information they have since if they are not well informed they might simply not care.[11]
Tests have shown that people, specifically children, who live near Imperial valley have more of a probability of having asthma because of the poor air quality they have been exposed to. The lake and its looming problems can be a symbol of our willingness to accept health problems in the local human population because it would be a constant reminder of how we can change.[12][13]
History & Culture (from McNamee's "Desert Reader")
The themes it seems to connect well with are the ones from the Bitter Man and The Drinker in regards to their love for the nature, land, water, and other components. We can conclude from these very short excerpts the world view of the Native American is that they deeply care about nature and their land.[14]
Also having too much rain or having rain consecutive could lead to “floods” which again potentially damage the environment. This would cause for seeds and topsoil to wash away and having the plants left behind have no good soil left for them. Because of my science courses I know that whenever there is rain it encourages the grow of new bacteria and fungus which could harm now not just the environment but us as well.
I honestly have always thought of the earth change as just a typical climate change and during his presentation he mentioned how it also changes the chemical components of the earth. It left me wondering how is it that earth changes could change the chemical components of the earth when they are deep within the soil? Would it be possible that it is changing slowly and that just when there is a drastic change in temperature, we notice it?
When she mentioned she was opposing a Bill it really showed how much she stands up for what she believes and is willing to speak up about it. What I found interesting was when she said how agricultural are not environmentalist but conservationist.
It just makes me mad how our environment is perishing in front of us. I know I have previously not done anything but would like to get involve it is just a matter of finding a way to fit a plan into my schedule. I hope that by the time other people realize the wrong they have been doing it is not too late and they are still able to fix it.
I really love it when people take in consideration animals for instance when they were thinking of tearing the bridge down, they thought of the bat population living under it and were thinking on how to replace their habitat. Some of the threats that he mentioned were habitat loss/modification, white nose syndrome, SARS COVID 2 (I hope I wrote it right), energy development, lack of understanding, and basic ecology.
One myth that she mentioned was the “Myth of the Pristine Wilderness” which was basically the belief that the Americas were a sparsely populated wilderness, a world where humans did not disturb. I personally believe this myth because I have always thought of nature being here before us and how we are the reason nature is deteriorating slowly.
I would always pass-through Gila Bend because of sports but never did I stop and wonder why it was called Gila Bend and Cary Meister mentioned that it was called Gila Bend because there is a bend in the river, and it is funny because you would of think that it was the first idea that popped into my head, but it did not. Something that was also interesting was when he mentioned how “playa” can also mean an intermitted (hope I spelled it right) lake that does not drain anywhere else.
She afterward shared with all of us her motto/favorite quote, which I believe stated the following, "You cannot know who you are until you know where you are." She mentioned how part of the problem we have with our relationship with the environment is that we tend to separate ourselves from it. I believe she is right, even if we hate to admit it. Every day we become less engaged with the environment because "we do not have time" or to some people simply not caring but mainly as one of our previous presenters mentioned the lack of information, they have regarding the topic is the main issue.
I found it interesting how reclaiming water was only used, as Cary stated in golf courses and such. However, now, they are trying to develop a solution to what I believe is to purify the water so that it is ultimately drinkable. What worries me now is, like Cary said, the contract was signed when the River was on its high end, and now it is coming up short, but no one wants to mention it since they are afraid that they will lose.
I agree with what he said that sometimes we ignore the fact that we live in a dry place and behave as we live in a place where rivers flow water everywhere, which is not valid. I always knew a natural disaster could cause people to lose their homes, but I never thought it could be the other way around (the town/city lose its people like Hohokam City).
Audubon Society is a conservation nonprofit organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow throughout the “Americas.” They also try to find solutions for people as well. They are local everywhere, which is impressive. They work on bird counts, different education programs, surveys, habitat monitoring, conservation, community engagement, and advocacy.
I thought with the whole pandemic that we would be a little more concerned about what is happening to our environment and take action. Instead, we see people simply not caring and what makes me mad is that they later wonder what is wrong with the environment. How can they expect it to be all clean and healthy when all we do is destroy it little by little.
↑Phillips, S. J., Comus, P. W., Dimmitt, M. A., & Brewer, L. M. (2015). A natural history of the Sonoran Desert. Oakland, CA: University of California Press.
↑Leopold, A., Schwartz, C. W., Bradley, N. L., Leopold, A. C., & Leopold, E. B. (2007). A Sand County Almanac. Baraboo, WI: Land Ethic Press ; The Aldo Leopold Foundation.
↑Leopold, A., Schwartz, C. W., Bradley, N. L., Leopold, A. C., & Leopold, E. B. (2007). A Sand County Almanac. Baraboo, WI: Land Ethic Press ; The Aldo Leopold Foundation.
↑Phillips, S. J., Comus, P. W., Dimmitt, M. A., & Brewer, L. M. (2015). A natural history of the Sonoran Desert. Oakland, CA: University of California Press.
↑Phillips, S. J., Comus, P. W., Dimmitt, M. A., & Brewer, L. M. (2015). A natural history of the Sonoran Desert. Oakland, CA: University of California Press.
↑McNamee, G. (2012). Gila: Life and Death of an American River. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
↑McNamee, G. (2012). Gila: Life and Death of an American River. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
↑Sevigny, M. L. (2016). The Rights of Rivers. In Mythical river: Chasing the mirage of new water in the American Southwest. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
↑Leopold, A., Schwartz, C. W., Bradley, N. L., Leopold, A. C., & Leopold, E. B. (2007). A Sand County Almanac. Baraboo, WI: Land Ethic Press ; The Aldo Leopold Foundation.
↑Phillips, S. J., Comus, P. W., Dimmitt, M. A., & Brewer, L. M. (2015). A natural history of the Sonoran Desert. Oakland, CA: University of California Press.
↑Phillips, S. J., Comus, P. W., Dimmitt, M. A., & Brewer, L. M. (2015). A natural history of the Sonoran Desert. Oakland, CA: University of California Press.
