Reflection: Weeks 1-7

The first few weeks of Environmental Health we have explored several topics that I was unfamiliar with.  I have enjoyed watching the class videos including The Future of Food, Fresh, and Tapped.  The Future of Foods discusses Genetically Modified Organisms  and their future in our food.  Fresh looks at how food is mass produced specially looking at animal products.  The movie encourages viewers to eat local and naturally grown products.  Tapped reveals where our plastic bottle waste products are left and how the collection of water is drying up lakes and streams.  Of these movies I really related to Tapped after recently completing my SMART goal.


My SMART goal was to eliminate the usage of water bottles from my daily life and replace reusable containers with plastic bags.  Plastic water bottle usage has become an important issue in the past 10 years with the introduction of water bottles into vending machines.  Plastic water bottles clutter our landfills and oceans harming wildlife.  I was inspired by the Tree Hugger Website and their following statement, "Approximately 1.5 million barrels of oil—enough to run 100,000 cars for a whole year—are used to make plastic water bottles, while transporting these bottles burns even more oil.The growth in bottled water production has increased water extraction in areas near bottling plants, leading to water shortages that affect nearby consumers and farmers. In addition to the millions of gallons of water used in the plastic-making process, two gallons of water are wasted in the purification process for every gallon that goes into the bottles."


UMD campus is also making the transformation from plastic water bottles to reusable water bottles easier by installing water bottle fillers.  Look how many water bottles UMD saved in just one week at only one drinking fountain!

My SMART goal project taught me that I can make small and easy changes that can make a big difference in the long run.  Think if everyone could reduce or eliminate their plastic water bottle usage. We would not have this problem!  I also learned that many individuals are unaware of some of the environmental problems we are facing.  We need to explain the problem and provide solutions for improvement.  I found when I shared with my friends and family the impact the water bottles have, they stopped purchasing them as well!


Shannon read a book called Aqua Shock: Water Crisis in America by Susan J. Marks.  She shared with us the dramatic findings of how our water is disappering.  She also shared tips to reduce our water usage which I really enjoyed and am currently implementing in my daily life.  Some of these ideas that are easy and would help our current crisis include: giving left over water to plants and animals, capturing rain water, installing water efficient appliances, and turning off facets while hand washing dishes and brushing teeth.  We need water to sustain life and I found this topic very interesting with her book, the class movie, and my SMART goal.


Cole read Easy Green Living by Renée Loux and shared her discoveries on living environmentally friendly in several areas of our lives.  She suggested several make up products, cleaning products, kitchen products and bathroom products that are safe for our environment.  I enjoyed learning with Cole and Renée on products I use daily.  She highlighted products and ideas that I have never heard of.  I really enjoyed learning about this book becuase when I think of being environmentally friendly I think of conserving water and energy, not making Eco-chic product choices.


Cayla shared her book Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating by Jane Goodall. Her book explores how large corporations are taking over farmland and livestock all over the world.  I enjoyed learning about pesticides and herbicides and options for refraining these unhealthy chemicals placed on our food.


I have also learned a considerable amount about blogging.  Blogging is a great, free way to share information with others.  I have learned about designing blogs, blog buttons, favicons, and gadgets.  Anyone can blog with a computer and just a little knowledge.  Online information is becoming more popular than ever and I am excited to know the basics of blogging.


During weeks 1-7 I have had my eyes opened to food and products both helpful and harmful to the environment.  I have learned that I knew little about the Green trend and discovered several lifestyle changes I can implement to help the environment.  With my SMART goal completion I learned that habit can be changed with a little determination.  These first few weeks have sparked an interest to learn additional topics and changes I can make that are helpful to our environment.  I now also enjoy sharing my discoveries with important individuals in my life and encouraging them to make environmentally friendly changes.