The Earth Charter

1) Respect and Care For the Community of Life

                                          

(https://www.google.com/search?q=animals+belong+on+the+planet&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=633&source)

This sub topic opens up by stating that all life forms have a right to be on this planet and all serve a purpose. This relates back to the biotic pyramid which we learned about in class. It also was discussed in our last reading by Jane Goodall. Goodall addressed this subject multiple times even saying: "...these animals belong on the land. They have a right to be there." Every animal that is on the planet serves a specific purpose and is important to environmental cycles. The biotic pyramid shows us the flow of energy and that each animal, plant, or organism fits into a section on the biotic pyramid. They each play a part in the energy flow from one section to another. Once a species goes extinct there is no bringing it back which is why we must respect and care for all living things on the planet.

2) Ecological Integrity 

(https://www.google.com/search?q=earth+deteriorating&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=979&source)

Ecological Integrity is the abundance and diversity of organisms at all levels, and the ecological patterns, processes, and structural attributes responsible for that biological diversity and for ecosystem resilience. In The Earth Charter the main focus within Ecological Integrity is SUSTAINABILITY. It talks about implementing plans and regulations in order to make sustainability easier. It then begins talking about taking advantage of renewable resources and using them effectively. One thing that it went into that hasn't been brought up in any of the readings is the danger that non native species bring into the environment. We touched on it in class and came to the conclusion that non native species are very dangerous to native species and should be eradicated. We witnessed one in the Cuban Tree frog on our Estero Island field trip. 

3) Social and Economic Justice

                                                (https://www.google.com/search?q=economy+and+nature&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=589&source)

Social and Economic Justice was a great section of this reading because it is something we have not gone into in class. It brings up that the environment and economy are interrelated and directly effect each other. This may seem strange at first because they are both so different but they are certainly connected. Vandana Shiva wrote about this in Tomorrow’s Biodiversity “What is Biodiversity and Why is it so Important? Shiva says specifically "Biodiversity is not just a conservation issue, it is an issue affecting economic survival." Everything item that is made comes from the environment somehow so it is important to protect the environment in order to protect the economy. This helps involve people who would not normally be interested in saving the environment learn be help because they see that the economy depends on the environment. 

4) Democracy, Non-Violence, and Peace 


                   (https://www.google.com/search?q=government+saving+environment&espv)

The Earth Charter wraps up by talking about the government. Stating that the government should get more involved in sustainability and help pass laws and lower corruption in order to help save the environment. It also discusses environmental education which we have talked about in class since day one. Not only have we learned the importance of environmental education but also how much it helps. After all this class is a form of environmental education. 

Goodall Endangered Species

(https://www.google.com/search?q=animals+belong+on+the+planet&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=633&source)

"...I tell them it is because these animals belong on the land. They have a right to be there."

This quote sums up the idea of the entire reading. Animals were put on this planet far before us and have as much right to be here as we do. Not only do they have the right to be here but most animals are necessary to the survival of the planet. Every animal has its place and plays its part in the biotic pyramid. This means people must continue to protect endangered species to further prevent extinction. 

(https://www.google.com/search?q=animals+belong+on+the+planet&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=633&source)

"It is indeed true that the expense of saving an endangered species can be exorbitant, so it is fortunate that in many countries there are laws protecting life forms threatened with extinction."

This quote brings up many great points. The first being that saving endangered species can be extremely expensive but it is certainly worth the cost because once a species goes extinct there is no brining it back. Every creature that has been put on the planet has a specific place on the biotic pyramid and plays a part in the big picture. Originally life forms would go extinct because of natural causes but ever since man has started walking the earth it has been people that cause life forms to go extinct. Man made things like pollution, hunting, and destruction of habitats have brought on large amounts of extinction. In order to avoid the high cost of saving endangered species laws can be put in place that keep their population from getting low in the first place. 

(https://www.google.com/search?q=animals+belong+on+the+planet&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=633&source)

"All of them confessed to loving the wilderness, being out there with nature."

Everything I learn in class is all starting to make sense! Mainly sense of place. We have learned repeatedly about the importance of someones sense of place and and it continues to show up in everything I have read for this course. In this quote we see that having a strong sense of place can also posses someone to take action in order to save the environment. These people enjoy nature so much that they make it their goal to help preserve it and help endangered species in order to keep their sense of place in tact. 

(https://www.google.com/search?q=people+and+animals&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=589&tbm)

"It is this-this link between the human being and the other animals with whom we share Planet Earth, this connection we can establish with another life form-that for many makes it possible to carry on."

A persons bond with animals is very important and can happen in many different ways, weather it is a mans bond with his pet dog or a persons ability to see that wild animals are no different than us. The end goal of every creature on the planet is survival at any means necessary. We are meant to share the planet with other creatures because they have the same right to be here as we do and are necessary for the survival of the planet. We must work with these animals in order to ensure a healthy planet and help sustain them at any means necessary.