Biology Ecology Journal

Required Entry #1

Focus: "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle"

9.07.ty

Background:

In the past week we have been begun to think about the concept of biodiversity. Since biodiversity refers to the many different kinds of living organisms on earth, it makes sense that these many organisms would require many different types of habitats. However, in the past century, human activities have drastically altered habitats around the world. Some examples of ways in which humans alter and often destroy habitats of living organisms are deforestation, water pollution, and over-fishing.

Yet, human actions can also help to reverse the direction of this destruction. We can alter our course, but it takes commitment and a willingness to reexamine and alter behavior. In an effort to raise awareness of how one's actions can affect the environment, as well as work towards Punahou's Sustainability goals by the year 2016, we are asking you to participate in a week-long "experiment", focused on the concept of reducing. In essence,reducing involves consuming and throwing away less.

Assignment for September 7-14th:

1) Start by going to the following website to learn more facts/ statistics regarding our waste production:

In your journal, write down 3 facts you learned about waste. Be sure to title this entry "Journal Entry #1" at the top of the page.

2) Next, go to the Sustainability Tab on ePunahou. Write down a Punahou-related fact from each of the Five Sustainability Initiative areas (found on the right of this page, click on each category "Energy, Waste, …")

3) Now go to the following websites for ideas and choose three actions that you can commit to for one week. (For example," I will not purchase any bottled water for one week", "I will not use any plastic grocery bags for one week…")

on the pdf's that list actions)

(Note: You may also use other websites that you find. If you find some that you think are particularly helpful, clear for students, or teachers, I will give you extra credit if you compile 5 sites on one document and make a notation as to why each site is useful. For example:

Clear, colorful site for students. Actions are clearly written. Includes fun games, etc.

Send this document to me via email (). These sites may later be used as links from the Sustainability Tab so that others can benefit from your findings).

4) In your journal entry, write down the three actions you will carry out for the next week. Please write them as commitment statements like the examples given above. Do your best to stick with these changes for the next week (of course you can go beyond this one week if you feel inspired). You should share your commitments with your family so that they can be on board and support you with these as well (for example, since you most likely don't purchase groceries, it isn't difficult for you to not take a plastic bag, but your parents may still be getting bags so this action isn't truly being carried out. In other words, you may be asking your family to commit to these changes as well and you may need to provide help or ideas so that they work with you to accomplish these goals (for example, find some cloth bags for your family to use).

5) On the first day of this assignment (September 7th), I'd like you to do some initial thinking and write down your thoughts in your Ecology Journal Please include, in a half- page minimum pre-reflection:

why you chose these 3 actions
how these actions help the environment
what you think will be easy or "doable" when carrying out these tasks
what you think may be difficult
who you might need help from (in other words, you might need to ask your family to become involved for this week)
do these tasks require any special equipment, supplies, etc.? If so, can you easily obtain these?
have you attempted these tasks in the past (and if so, how did it go?)?

6) You will need to include at least three visuals to represent your actions. These can be pictures of you (and your family) carrying out these tasks, or can be pictures found on the internet (i.e. a picture of a compost pile), or any other visuals you feel illustrates these three actions or issues.

7) At the end of this week (on September 14th), discuss this experience in a one-page post-reflection. Include:

Were you successful in following through for the duration of the seven days?
Do you feel that if everyone in a community, such as Punahou, were to do this action, that it would or would not make an impact for the world? Explain your answer.
Do you think you will continue this action on your own (don't feel you have to say yes to this one…)? Why or why not?
Anything else you want to share about this experience