Eaarth Ch. 2

As far as an overall response to this chapter, I could almost copy and paste my words from my chapter 1 response. Still feeling pretty overwhelmed, helpless, and depressed. Especially since this happened today.

A moment that had particular impact on me from chapter 2 was when he talked about environmentalists working to raise the prices of fossil fuels. So, it would effect people like me by making gas more expensive. And when I really think about it, it would take a lot for me to drive my car less. I depend on it so heavily. The thought of expensive gas makes me upset. And, that's how we're all a part of the problem I suppose. It's easy for me to objectively say "Yes that's great, let's raise gas prices so people drive less." But I quickly become a hypocrite: "Oh, I meant those faraway people, not me or my circle of friends."

One sentence in particular stood out: "Smart people are starting to understand the size of the problem, but they haven't yet figured out the timing; they haven't yet figured out that the latest science shows that this wave is already breaking over our heads." He's continuing his grand-children point, and it's very effective. How long will people say it's not their problem? How long do we put off dealing with the inevitable? Unfortunately, our current government is making all of this much more potent and bleak.

I've honestly already used the words "life-changing" to describe this book to a friend. And I give it that title if for nothing else it's unabashed devotion to waking us all up to what is right in front of us.

Eaarth Ch. 1 Response

A 60 degree Michigan day in January? Never heard of it. How truly, truly poignant it is to be reading the first chapter of Eaarth during this weather. Never in my life have I stepped outside on any day in January and not needed a winter coat, scarf, and gloves. But this week, I had to take it off because I was sweating. It's tempting to be cheerful, after all, the sun hadn't shone for weeks prior to this outburst. But I find it very difficult to enjoy, particularly while reading this book.

Why haven't I heard about all of this? I kept thinking to myself over and over again while reading. And what's worse, the statistics in the book are all from 5-10 years ago. I can't even imagine the irreversible damage to our planet we've continued to wreak in that time. Bill McKibben truly achieved his objective with this intro and first chapter--in his words: "There's nothing airy or speculative about this conversation; it's got to be uncomfortable, staccato, direct." I've never felt so outraged, so helpless and hopeless, yet so incredibly called to action.

Anyone else feel an urge to go see as much of the world as possible before we wreck it? (Taken in New Zealand.)

While reading, I was struck with the realization that if this is something that I'm passionate about--what am I doing, really, to help anything? And I began to think of the ways I can do better. The ideas I had? Okay, so maybe I'll finally commit to this vegetarian thing. And I recycle, yes. Time to take it to the next step. How, oh how can I reduce my use of one use plastic more? (Anyone have some ideas?) As I said, Eaarth has truly challenged my way of viewing the world and my place in it.

It's probably abrasive, but I will try my best to get this book into the hands of any climate change skeptics I know (I can't believe they still exist.) Also I hope to retain as much of this info as possible so I can spread it around like wildfire (inopportune phrase usage.)

"Walking" Thoreau

The last hike I went on. Scottsdale, AZ.

"You must be born into the family of the Walkers."  Actually, I do come from a family of passionate walkers, though hardly in the way that Thoreau meant. My parents love to go on walks. The family black sheep is my brother, precisely for the reason that he doesn't like to join us on walks. My dad once got frost bite on his lips, because he just had to go out for his daily walk, even in the desolate frigid January weather. So even just a few paragraphs in, I was immediately swept up in Thoreau's reverence for walks. And I love the way he paints them as journeys. To think of each walk as an adventure is certainly not common-place in my family. There's a routine, a destination, or a specific reason for our walks. But the notion of a physical walk truly embodying all of the soulful implications we give to the word in other circumstances feels romantic and wonderful to me.

I loved the line "I am alarmed when it happens that I have walked a mile into the woods bodily, without getting there in spirit." Again, this idea of the walk being so much more than a body moving in space. He emphasizes that that space be one of nature, specifically woods, and that the space and the body moving in that space is what brings his spirit and mind to life. I love that idea.

I can't help but think of all the people, family and friends included, who watch their health apps,or their fitbits every day to try and make it to their 10,000 steps. And I can't help but wonder how much greater the benefit would be for them if the steps were taken in a way similar to Thoreau's sacred walks.

Although I found that the excerpt drifted a bit too far into tangents toward the middle, there were a few that I enjoyed. I  found the line "...for the hero is commonly the simplest and obscurest of men" to be very profound. Maybe it's a bit of a cliche, but it didn't strike me that way in the context of his story.

My dad on a hike.

I'm not sure how to conclude, other than to say I found Thoreau's perspectives rejuvenating and inspiring. And honestly I just really want to take a hike right now.

"The Audit"

Something I really enjoyed about this short story was it's ability to include exhibition and be informative without lacking on the narrative of it all. It told a nice story about Bill and his family while simultaneously giving its audience up-to-date clues and info on what it means to respect and care for our environment.

Most of the information was pretty basic; We shouldn't be so reliant on fossil fuels, we should be aware of our economic footprints, we should be more connected to nature, etc. But I loved how the story captured Bill's experience of reluctantly entering an atmosphere where he relied less on modern conveniences, growing to appreciate what that brought to his physical and mental health, and then how it came full circle with his reluctance to re-enter an atmosphere that he previously thought was comfortable to him. I really empathize with that, and the words of the author brought to life that feeling of being overwhelmed and distraught when making a shift from a natural world to a materialistic one.

This picture feels reflective of the serenity Goodwin has found. Taken in New Zealand.

One line that resonated with me was Goodwin's assessment of what modern society needs to become more sustainable, particularly his words: "...zoning that allows you to keep chickens and grow vegetables instead of lawns." It just really struck me while reading that how ridiculous our obsession with lawns is in America particularly. Also my mom has talked for years about wanting to own some chickens just for the heck of it, but city ordinances make it very tricky to do so. Why is that? I can't say I understand the logic behind it.

I was also struck by Goodwin's words later: "I feel truly sorry for anyone who has to live the way you do. This is the least I can do to make your life less miserable." Goodwin's perspective here is very eye-opening. I think most Americans would be very unwilling to live the way Goodwin does, but the fact that he's just as unwilling to live the way we live is refreshing. I think it (rightly so) challenges our society's view of "acceptable" ways of life.

At the end, I felt inspired and renewed by Bill's discoveries. And his joy at finding new perspectives is infectious.

Introduction

A place I stood in nature that I really enjoyed: my study abroad to New Zealand in the Spring of 2016. Looking forward to a semester of learning more about my place in nature, and how to honor it.

Just a few things about me: I'm a senior Acting major, my favorite place in Kalamazoo is the Alamo Drafthouse, and I like dogs a lot.