You Can Always Go - Downtown!

DOWNTOWN

The song, "Downtown" by Petula Clark evokes emotions of downtown being a get-away. It tells us downtown can be a refuge to let go of all your worries. Downtown has become more populated and not as well-liked in people's minds. Some think it is too busy and others think the area is not safe in many big cities.

DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS

 Fort Myers is still considered experiencing something of a renaissance because the older downtown area and  historic districts have retained much of their old charm and architectural features. Fort Myers was one of the first forts built along the Caloosahatchee River as a base of operations against the Seminole Indians. During the 1870's, two general stores, a school and a number of private homes were built. Now it is over-poulated and over-crowded. A statue called "Uncommon Friend"s in Centennial Park depicts Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone on a camping trip. They are in camping suits which we would consider 9 to 5 work dress today. The statues and fun buildings with unique articheture are designed to rekindle the pedestrian spirit. Downtown Fort Myers is sustainable in the buildings they have preserved from the past. They still have sustainable plants and other aspects downtown, for example, in the courtyard behind Hotel Indigo.

  

Eco-Footprint

According to my eco-footprint calculationns, I am not as eco-friendly as I should be. If everyone lived in a similar lifestyle as me, we would need 5.1 earths to provide enough resources. If I cut the amount of meat I eat in half, it would reduce my eco-footprint to 4.6. If I used products that used less packaging, it would reduce my eco-footprint to 4.7. I could also try to car pool more, drive less miles, and use energy in my house more efficiently. There are always ways we can be more ec-friendly.

Here is a link to Calculate your Eco-Footprint!

Climate Change - Anthropogenic or Natural?

     I feel like climate change is a little anthropogenic and a little natural. I took the information I will discuss according to a study scientists did at Stockholm University as well the IPCC, Fourth report. According to a study scientists performed at Stockholm University, changes in the sun's output and volcanic erruption on earth may be the partial cause of climate change. They used data from the ocean and lake bottoms, ince sheets, caves, and annual tree rings. 

 

      According to the IPCC, Fourth Report, human activity has increase the proportion of greenhouse gases. Carbon emissions seem to have increased with population increase.
     In the media, climate change is portrayed as a startling issue to the human race that will eliminate us if we do not make certain changes. Personally, I have never researched what I can do to help climate change until taking Colloquium at FGCU. I am not sure my children or grandchildren will see many effects of climate change as it seems to be a rather slow process. However, I do believe over the course of time, we will regret not paying more attention to helping the environment.

Most Pressing Environmental Issue

I am torn between poverty and natural disasters being the most pressing global environmental issue facing us today.

Disaster

Poverty

If I was given $100 billion to address a global problem, I would allocate the funds to several different issues. I would allocated 40% to eliminating poverty with programs providing food and clean water as well as education and job opportunities. It would take a great deal of research to ensure the people who truly want help and are willing to better themselves (make changes) are the ones helped. I would also allocate 40% to providing protection against natural disasters such as protection for homes and education on what to do in the event of a disaster. For example, it is important your home has hurricane shutters in a hurricane zone. I would also allocate 20% to research and medical care for incurable diseases such as HIV. I would like people who can not afford medicine and care for these types of diseases to be able to get the best care possible. Obviously, it is also important to research and try to find solid cures for diseases such as HIV as well.