Other Emerging Efforts

Co-housing is a type of sustainability that Hilo could take part in. Residents of Hilo and other parts of Big Island would have to make a few sacrifices, but would be able to incorporate co-housing locally. The first and most important thing to realize as a community considering co-housing would be that the residents have to actively participate. All the residents would put forth effort to build each other's homes and social playgrounds. This style of communal building takes place on some level with the Habitat for Humanity.

Also, residents would have to be willing to live in a tightly nit community. Neighborhoods would be designed to encourage social contact and individual space. This form of living is similar to how the sugarcane workers would live in at the turn of the 20th century. By eliminating racial tension is the sole way any mixed race co-housing would be realistic here in Hawaii.

When Cultures Meet

There are many unintended consequence when two cultures meet. In the case of tourism, the interaction can be either positive or negative. Although it is known to help economically, that is not always the case. Countries like the bahamas earn fifty percent of their gross national product through tourism, but larger industrialized countries depend on tourism much less. Tourism is a low-wage industry that exploits poor native people for the benefit of a small wealthy population who actually have the means to travel.

When cultures meet may also have a positive cost benefit. Historic monuments, homes and gardens do well with more visitors. Organizations like Wildlife foundation have helped to save animals and lifestyles all over the world. Also, international travelers can take interest and expose injustices in countries that do not have freedom of speech and access to the world media, allowing informed people to make changes to help the indigenous people of a specific area.

When both sides of the, "when cultures meet" issue are reviewed, we are able to make a wiser decision on the effects of tourism and choices on the value of our own desire to travel to new places. But ultimately, the effects of tourism are summed up by Dr. Koson Srisang, former executive secretary of the coalition, tourism as currently practiced, when he stated "does not benefit the majority of people. Instead it exploits them, pollutes the environment, destroys the ecosystem, bastardises the culture, robs people of their traditional values and ways of life and subjugates women and children in the abject slavery of prostitution.... [It] epitomizes the present unjust world economic order where the few who control wealth and power dictate the terms."

Other Traditional Cultures

The indigenous tribes of the Amazon are very connected to the study of sustainable lifestyles. The communication needed to maintain that level of communal living is crucial to any group's survival. The tribes have developed ways of using the land to build shelter and supply nourishment to its people. This form of harmonious living is the foundation to creating a sustainable community.

Ceremonies are used to bring the tribes together and help to communicate culture and heritage. This is a very important element of tribal living. Sharing is the back bone of an open culture like the natives in the Amazon. Only until recently have tribes begin fighting for territory, but until now were able to maintain a century of peace.

Broadening the Ecovillage Movement

After reading Robert Gilman's interview I have realized that building a sustainable ecovillage comes down to a few different ways of communicating and spreading the understanding of why the ecovillage movement is important. As the eco community gets larger, growing from neighborhoods, to towns and villages, various networks of leaders and communicators must emerge. Leaders should form a easy to follow guide of how to communicate with others in your community. This is the first step in maintaining a healthy ecovillage.

The second major step I have learned is that instead of building ecovillages from the ground up we can retrofit an existing community. This 'menu' they have made provide different levels of commitment and personal needs to change. When people make the decision to change on there own, it is much more powerful and probable that they will be more prone to continue and teach others.

Lastly, as I read the interview I really enjoyed the basic wisdom from Jeff Bercuvitz. His advice was to create a simple 5 step plan. The steps make sense and can be easily followed. From thinking big, stating small, take stock of assets, have fun, ripple out and what i thought most important was "just doing it."

A Virtual Visit to an Ecovillage

The ecovillage I choose was Ecocentro IPEC and Ecoversidade from Brazil. This ecovillage interested me the most because I was born very close to Ecocentro IPEC in Brazil and would have a better perspective of what to expect. Also the educational system they have put into place is called Ecoversidade, and I am able to study that education in Portuguese and English to gain an understanding of the curriculum and the natural world.

I would enjoy spending some time in that part of Brazil with the intention of staying to learn the basics of the ecovillage and be able to write an informed article for a newspaper or magazine shedding light on this futuristic way of life.

The talent quest really struck me as an interesting aspect of a community. I found that to be the most interesting. Also, I enjoyed the addition of Capoiera and other traditional Brazilian dance and artwork.

Early morning meditation and Portuguese language lessons would be the most connected to my life. I would really enjoy learning how to speak perfect Portuguese. Meditation, Yoga or just practicing breathing is a fantastic way to start a day. I would like to incorporate more of these actions into my lifestyle

Beyond you and me: Reading Response 1.

I have been a firm believer in family values and the foundation of society via the family. To find other people to live and work with is the most natural instinct humans have. This has been the survival method that has been the most effective for the last 30,000 years.

One major element that I learned reading this part of "Beyond you and Me" is that the original community of humans is not the family, but the tribe. The family is part of a sacred matrix and an integral part of human social existence. This tribal living continued naturally until 7,000 years ago, when the Kurgun people invaded and systematically killed communities. Then again in the 17th century when the Native Americans were killed off by European invaders.

Now most groups in America and all over the world in the 21st century fell apart because of their inability to deal with conflicts that at one point were naturally part of the tribal community, like love power, money and being recognized.

Profile Description

My name is Patrick and I am a communications major at UHH. I intend to build a career in broadcast journalism focusing on radio. I also want to continue working in a news gathering organization such as a newspaper or magazine.

Since moving to Hawaii in 1999 I have become very aware of my relationship with sustainability. I am an adamant recycler. I propagate orchids and various fruit trees. I grow my own vegetables, herbs and spices and try to eat from my garden every day. I compost all natural waste.

I consciously changed my driving habits and sold my gas guzzling V6 truck and bought a four-cylinder environment friendly car.

My connection with Hawaii begins with my moving to the United States. I was born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and moved back and forth to the US during my childhood. I returned to Miami after I finished my 11^th year of high school in Brazil. I graduated and went on an eight-month trip around the United States. I eventually found my self in the North West, living in places like Portland, Oregon and Olympia, Washington. In 1999 my oldest sister met and married a man in Colorado who was from Waimea, here on the Big Island. I attended the wedding in Oahu. The bachelor party turned out to be a camping trip and hike through Waipio Valley. I fell in love with Hawaii and made the islands my home soon after. I originally moved to Kaua’i and earned a massage license. I lived on the east side of Kauai and worked as a massage therapist and a chef at a very popular restaurant for 5 years. In 2004 I moved to Big Island to pursue a career in media and earn a degree in Communication from UHH.

My physical location is sitting at my dinner table looking out big bay window towards the ocean. I finally found a great house in Papaikou.

I would like to achieve a clearer understanding of sustainability and how I can organize and implement it in this culture here in Hawaii and help me during my experiences dealing with the Brazilian culture.

As the Editor in Chief of the university newspaper I try to motivate students to investigate and expose what they feel is newsworthy within there own community. I push them get involved and not depend on mainstream media. I have recently been hired for the position of assistant program director for URH, the UHH radio station. I am interested in independent music and promote local musicians as much as possible. I train students who are inspired to produce their own radio shows.

The 11^th hour reminds me of the power I have as a consumer. I will try to research the companies I support and become more conscious of the products I am purchasing.Also, as a citizen of two different countries I need to always take part in the election processes. I will continue to spread the word on corporate control over the energy crisis and maintain a high standard of conservation for my family and me.

The first step is to convince the major players in the financial world that reducing the strain on the planet can be a profitable and rewarding venture for a long-term business strategy.

Write an analysis of how Carson used the media and her skills as a writer to achieve her goals.

Rachel Carson was ahead of her time.Through eloquent writing and well thought out reason, she was able to motivate a public that was uninformed. Through diligent study she was able to have the knowledge, experience, and open mind to really expose a potential danger. It was her passion to understand the earth, specifically the ocean that had lead to Carson becoming a beacon for environmental protection. If it were not for her ability as a writer and the popularity of her book than the EPA potentially would not have been created and inspired to make serious changes.

Thanks to enlightened humans like Rachel Carlson we now have a window to the future, revealing how scientists and writers will need to pursue to gain the attention of the public.

The United States is in a position of power world wide. We as a country need to realize and use wisely our control over media and understand our position economically to become better leaders on a broader perspective.

The passage from Rachel Carson’s blog explains her impact on the environment the clearest was, “Carson and her most famous book, SILENT SPRING, are credited with no less than inspiring the modern global environmental movement.”

Behavior Changes

I have become increasingly aware of my behavior concerning sustainability living here in Hawaii. I will consciously change my attitude towards the oceans and the animals that live with in it. I have slowed down my fishing since i realized how endangered a lot of those reef fish are. I make sure not stand on the reefs or pollute the beach. I also try to remind my friends and family to be aware of the effects we all have on the ocean and the planet. I will continue to change my behaviors and help to inform others of the impact we have on the planet.

Beyond You and Me: Reading Response 1

Humans have an innate desire to form communities but for years we have been taught that individuality and collective society are not compatible. This false understanding of independence has made us weary of conforming into what used to be considered the natural community. We must sacrifice some personal freedom to enjoy the security of a family and community. When humans are able to trust each other and the system than a mature community will blossom.

Once trust has been broken in a relationship it can never be fully restored. This is true for any alliance from a one on one connection to complete and complex communities. “If an organization is good or bad depends on the trust of its members.” (Duhm, pg. 6)

The first step in developing a healthy sustainable community is building and maintaining trust between the children, their parental figures and role models. Through experiencing good and bad situations together, children have the opportunity to bond, relate and have a feeling of belonging within their family and communities.Nurturing children and supporting them while developing their natural gifts is essential for positive growth.

Along with encouraging the youth we must respect and regard our ancestors. They can be a source of inspiration, knowledge and guidance. Our ancestors can help us through times of sorrow and feelings of being alone. Humans must deal with issues in the past before creating a healthy present and future.

The feeling of vulnerability is the primary reason people are isolated and scared of each other. In the modern world we tend to not show any weakness. Only when we are able communicate openly and express our fears and anxieties is when a deeper emotional understanding is reached. This enlightenment will help to end war and violence in the community.

One thing is for sure, to create a fully sustainable society there must be a vision, a process, and core relationships amongst the members founded on trust and feeling connected to our community.

Gaia Experiential Learning Activity

I was inspired by the activity on page 17. I sat next to the river near my home, performed a breathing exercise and wrote a poem.

Maybe you should.....

Develop your stand up for self.. army.

Intelligent weapons designed hardly to the grind of that grandfather clock

and it is a machine it should never stop.

tick tock

Rabble, rabble

leave that city in some rubble

white hungry hippos worry about economic bubble.

Pop!

Works two jobs for the one almighty God dollar

political violence takes rocky path o logical dead end

religious income

and mom you can't stop this

Rah!

Born into racism and scorn!

God!

you wore out your welcome to welcome war!

Jesus!

you can't expect me to believe this bullshit

(No More)

A well designed degenerate persian crusader turned assassin savior

Loves cash money and the warmth of my gun

My son

Mask me for some ransom

wearing out some souls like some loose leaf

moves me to build your combust-able lovable life... style.

And it is good ol' haunted house slash hunting lodge

Gas chamber comfort could pass for grandma's loving arms

Throw back that little tantrum baby

and let it grow and maybe develop into a full blown head case of craziness

one day

and you catch me saying i know and i told you so

I'm sorry darling.....

After the Crash

This statement that was most the valuable to me in this presentation and summed up the lesson was, "It is time, quite simply, to return to living with in our natural and economical budgets. We need to set priorities and set a budget and stick with both."

I was captivated by the Crash Course presentation. Although some of the information seemed bleak the importance of its contents is paramount. Chris Maetenson exposed an enormous can of worms. The difficulty will be attempting to shift the American paradigm. Consumers like you and me are the last line of defense for protecting the economy, environment and future of the United States.

After viewing the Crash Course, I feel like my goal is to be a responsible world citizen. By purchasing less oil based products i can play a small part to slow down the negative cycle. Understanding the connection between society, energy, and money along with the theory of exponential growth, allows the public to make some informed decisions. "Energy is the source for all growth and complexity." I must not take energy that I use for granted. I will teach my children to be very aware of their roles as energy consumers. We must all share what we've learned about how money is created and saved wisely.

The population and the world's energy supplies are in direct conflict. It is not logical to think that renewable energy will be able to fill the voids that the lack of oil will leave us with. That is why we must change our habits from the level of consumers. The next 20 years will be different from the last 20 years and my generation and my children's generations are on the chopping block.

Extra Credit: Cornell Climate Plan

If The University of Hawaii Hilo wanted to, we could follow the example Cornell University have given by planning a long-term goal of reducing carbon emissions and ultimately saving hundreds of millions of dollars.

The project would need the effort of the entire school and the community. Student leaders and organizations for sustainability would have to really work hard to get the student to sacrifice time, energy, and sometimes their own personal comfort.

Grants and support from the state could get the project off the ground and eventually those items, “would bear no cost or will have a positive payback to the University.” Said Kyu Whang, co-chair of the climate implementation committee at Cornell University.

Awareness is the first step in convincing a group to consider future rewards for action they may take now. Faculty, staff, and students must have pride in their school, which would motivate them to make changes in the present knowing that the effects may not be seen for decades after they would have graduated.

My personal contributions would be to have all phases of the plan covered in the University newspaper. I would help to inform members of the school were petitions were being signed and what they could do to help the project advance.

The largest obstacle will be to make advancements on the building that is already having major problems. UHH has to first meet the standards the board of regents put into place before we can upgrade the university’s energy grid. Also because we live in Hawaii the UHH carbon footprint is the same all year round, so saving energy in the winter though alternative heating is not an option.