Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The World Water Conundrum


This report is officially moving over to current events and sponsorships for green living and learning. Why? There are so many dilemmas happening in African sustainable movements that the biggest problem there is money. The nation needs money to buy the supplies that move the ideas to improve their farming economy. By studying different ways that pop culture events, stars, designers, and other entertainment venues choose to adapt to sustainable needs, there may actually be a source of finding the dollars necessary to progress more of our world in a sustainable direction.
I found the University of Minnesota arboretum to be a shining example of how great ideas have to scrape by because they don’t integrate themselves into money-making practices, (U of M Arboretum). The arboretum seems to be an entertainment venue that thrives off of people seeking out this kind of entertainment. The experience of nature, it’s beautiful, and it only goes so far. Many people don’t want to visit a park reserve on a daily basis, and can’t because they’re busy working or getting life accomplished. So where can a great place like the arboretum learn to appeal to the cultural demands of a nation enthralled by super stars, fashion, possession, and more?
I have to say that one of my favorite blog and article web sites is definitely Tree Hugger. Despite a name that would turn away many heads that have a hard time being badgered that their lifestyle is plain wrong, generally without unbiased explanation. Tree Hugger provides interesting readings on ‘big names’ that are changing the face of the entertainment industry. And frankly, where the entertainment industry thrives money usually flows. The “Green Buying Guide” page shows general consumers everything from tables to cars that allow them to move their lifestyles in a sustainable direction, (Tree hugger). So why can’t more places like the “Aesthetics of Sustainability” blog be a resource of reports that reference a more general lifestyle? The point of all this and the introduction to one of my new favorite blogs, is that sustainable advocates cannot just walk up to a person who happens to own a truck, and say, “my lungs hurt, thanks.” We as reporters should be responsible for making educated suggestions. We should ask questions like, “Why do you use such a large truck,” or “Does your company have any future ideas about pollution connected to large trucks?” I’m making this one of my new goals. To change my own thinking, by knowing what everything is used for, know what the alternatives are, and find ways for people to afford them. Because my recent answer to the question, “why didn’t the world do it this way?” is: it was too expensive then, and it’s more expensive now.

Bibliography |

University of Minnesota. About Us. 2008. University of Minnesota.

Oct.14, 2008. http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/aboutus.aspx
TreeHugger.com. Buy Green. 2008. TreeHugger.com.

Oct.14, 2008. http://www.treehugger.com/buygreen/

No comments: