My takeaway from Comm 486F

As someone who believes more in action than thought, its tough to say just how much I’ve taken away from this course. Ignorance is definitely one thing I realized I had in abundance. After every couple of weeks, I stop and think about how some of my actions affect the planet. When I’m too tired to wash the 2 or 3 plates in the kitchen sink and want to put them in the dishwasher, I stop. When I feel like leaving the heater on to come back to a warm room, I stop. When I feel like throwing my garbage in the wrong recycling bin, I stop……sometimes.

This course has definitely given me much more to think about in terms of my actions. I don’t think I can say I have a solution yet, but I am definitely aware. A few weeks ago I engaged in a debate about the environment with some friends, and I can safely say that without the knowledge I’ve acquired in this course the debate may have never affected me.

One thing I do realize, is that every action to help the ecosystem counts. However small or large, it all counts, and that now more than ever we need those actions.

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Blog: Startfromgreen

Article: Environmental impact of cell phones

I do agree that for people who like numbers this post is shocking. It is amazing how such a small device is causing so much damage to the environment. Taking it a step further, its amazing how so many of these devices are causing environmental damage in Africa. Its amazing how many firms take their E-waste to Africa. Cell phones, computers and other electronics are being shipped in large numbers. It is reported by the EIA that 75% of the electronic equipment arriving in West Africa is broken. With more than 15 million tons of new e-waste being generated every year all over the world it is frightening to imagine what where most of it will end up.

Despite all the unethical firms out there, some firms are trying to make a difference. Mobile phone handset maker, Nokia, have set up waste dumping centres across East Africa to reprocess old mobile phone waste, including batteries.Nokia collects mobile phone waste for recycling and repairs as part of its environmental policy of reducing emissions of electronic waste, the fastest growing source of urban pollution.

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BLOG: greenisthenew

Article: What Would You Do? A social experiment on UBC student’s recycling habits

Green Queen discusses the issue of UBC students (or students in general) not using the proper recycling procedure during lunch hours. Some students dispose of their waste in the wrong bins while some simply throw it all in the garbage.

I admit that students often do not take the time to dispose of each item in the right bin. However, I must say that several coloured bins may be difficult and time consuming to use if one is not a seasoned recycler. As you run for class and can’t decide where to toss your coffee cup and whether the lid should stay on, the decision is often determined by what is the most convenient rather than the right choice. I believe that in order to increase the recycling and use the right procedures to recycle, sustainability learning needs to go beyond the labels on top of each bin. Students in all levels of education should be taught exactly how they should recycle.

This experiment goes to show that as a community we are not doing enough to encourage sustainability. Whether the reason is a lack of knowledge or a lack of concern, we need to find a way to improve our current habits.