There are no limits to the environment

When I decided to take this course I thought that there was one basic set of principles for solving the planet. Those principles were focused on using less of pretty much everything. However, throughout the course of this class I have learned that there are a variety of different ways that environmentalists propose for answering environmental issues. I knew beforehand that issues of climate change and biodiversity would require different answers but I felt like they would follow the same trend of shrinking human impact. While naturalism is a major trend in environmentalism it is not the only trend. Some people, like Thomas Friedman suggest that the solutions to our problems lie in technology and the flattening of the planet. Leopold suggests that we need to change the way we think about the environment in order to create a difference, he suggests using ethics. McDonough talks about the importance of design and the need to redesign the way that humanity interacts with the environment through products and life activities.

The environment is everywhere and impacts everything that we humans do. Therefore, whatever sector you work in there is a chance to help improve the environmental situation. Whether you work for the government or a small textile mill in Switzerland or are a small farmer in Africa there is an opportunity for you to make decisions that will impact the planet in the future. In order for there to be a global change in the situation a big change needs to be made by a large number of people. However, this does not mean that a large change in the way of think cannot come from the ideas of one farmer in Africa. No idea should be counted out simply because it does not come from a governmental official or an environmental scientist.

As a peace and conflict resolution student I have learned that every sector provides an opportunity for peace-building. This course has made me think that same way about environmental progress. You don’t have to dedicate your life to environmental causes; as long as you take environmental principles into consideration your job can make this world a greener planet.