Article related to class themes

http://search.proquest.com.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/docview/212223257

In this article, Bill McKibben further discusses the issues that arise surrounding the number "350."  More specifically, 350 is the maximum amount of Carbon Dioxide that can be in the atmosphere while still being considered a safe amount.  But our atmosphere already consists of 370 ppm of carbon dioxide, and is only continuing to rise.  In order for this to be resolved, Bill McKibben is calling for society to realize all the things of our social structure that must be resolved to bring this number down.  The first thing that must be done is for America to stop burning fossil fuels.  But this will damage the job market and economy, so green jobs must be created in order to prevent major damage.  Then after America has cut down on fossil fuel use, international action can take place.  America should work out international agreements with foreign countries for them to cut down on fossil fuel use.  Because it is so heavily used, military force may be the only way to stop them.  Monetary bribes would simply be too expensive.  Bill McKibben starts this article addressing the president.  The purpose of this is to show how important this crisis is.  The fact that our atmosphere is above the limit is already showing in the fact that the arctics are melting, and global warming is increasing.  Once things reach a certain point, there is no turning back.  But this has to be a large movement involving essentially the entire world to attempt to balance out the atmosphere we have damaged.

Education according to Richard Kahn

In Richard Kahns "Towards Ecopedagogy: Weaving a Broad-based Pedagogy of Liberation for Animals, Nature, and the Oppressed People of the Earth," he makes several points about America's current environmental education system.  He reports that while most Americans support environmental education in the school system and workplace, there is still many problems. "For example, the same studies that revealed Americans’ overwhelming support for environmental education programs reported a variety of findings that demonstrate that most Americans continue to have an almost shameful mis- understanding of the most basic environmental ideas."  One of these ideas is that 45 million Americans think the ocean is a source of fresh water.  So in reality, no matter how much support society gives  to the idea of environment education, the reality is, is that support is useless if no one is actually knowledgeable about the environment.  He then goes on to say that education is not where we can stop, because changing the environment will call for total mind and heart transformations of people.

EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination

Sydney Wilkinson

Synthesis of Gas Fracking

            Abrahm Lustgarten, Nicholas Kustnez and ProPublica discuss of form of environmental abuse that draws a connection to the a few of the points made in Richard Kahn’s “Toward Ecopedagogy.”  In this article, it is the environment versus EnCana, a gas company that owns the wells in Pavillion, Wyoming.  But more so, it is the environment versus productivity.  Research has been done, and the results have lead the EPA to conclude that gas fracking in this particular area of Wyoming is leading to contamination of the water.  After gas fracking has taken place, many residents have complained of their water quality dramatically lessening, because it would turn brown.  In 2008, and the confirmed in 2010, water samples were taken and Hydrocarbon and other contaminants were found in the water.  Residents were then told it was not only unsafe to drink the water, but that possible explosions could occur after showering if there was not proper ventilation for the methane from the water to be released.  And in November 2011, the EPA drilled 1,000 feet underground and found carcinogenic substances, one commonly used in fracking.

            Perhaps, the most disturbing part of this environmental issue is the response of the spokesperson representing EnCana, the gas company responsible for the fracking in this area.  His response was a condemnation of the lack of evidence, and the inconsistent results found in the EPA’s findings.  Although, the EPA did acknowledge that there could be other sources leading to the contaminated water, they still strongly believe gas fracking is a heavy factor.  And this company’s mindset is so twisted, that their economical benefits and productivity outweighs the possible endangerment of not only the environment but mankind as well.  People were told that their house could explode; yet the company shows no desire to investigate the danger of gas fracking themselves.  The attitude of Doug Hock, the spokesperson, conveys one of indifference towards the threats.  His main concern was defending his company and refuting the claims, not the fact that lives were at stake.  While our cultural mindset of growth and productivity is lifting others up, the process of getting there is becoming a hostile one where one must step on fellow mankind to rise there.

Visual Rhetoric

Visual rhetoric is simply the recognition that pictures have the ability to communicate deep messages rather than just be valued for their visual appeal.  These messages can be political, religious, and in this case environmental. This image plays on a common quote "the wonders of the sea" and portrays waste in a "school" formation.  The message being portrayed here is that hoe beautiful the wonders of the sea are no longer the main concern, the concern is the survival of the sea.  Technology has become so mainstream, that it has the power to communicate environmental concerns to the mass in a financially efficient and timely manner.  Also, it is very useful for targeting the younger generations who have the reputation of being unaware to the world around them, because they so happen to be the generation who uses technology the most as well.

Turtle Island Themes

In "By Frazier Creek Falls," Snyder focuses on the endless supply of wonder the earth has for us.   He starts out with strong imagery, placing the reader standing on a rock looking out.  He then appeals to the sense of sight with descriptions of forests, appeals to hearing with the description of limbs and twigs rustling.  All of these descriptions combined create and overwhelming feel of how small man is in comparison to nature.  Nature moves all around us, and even through us.  Snyder ends with saying mankind could live off nature alone, no manmade items such as clothes and tools are even needed.  But what lies hidden between the lines, is that mankind does not appreciate the wonders of the earth, instead humans abuse them.  This limits what the earth can do, and jeopardizes it's survival.


"Front Lines" has a harsh and bitter tone, which contributes to the theme of how mankind is destroying Earth.  Snyder starts in line one with the use of the word "cancer" as a word to describe what the humans in this poem are inflicting upon nature.  He discusses how a chainsaw, logging trucks, realty companies, and bulldozers all combine to make a destructive group against the territory they are destroying.  Snyder states that the line must be drawn, because this isn't just land being destroyed, it is a specific forest that leads to the Arctic and a desert that belongs to the Piute.  No land is "just land," it is all unique and worthy of preservation.

Snyder has a aura of hope at the end of "For The Children" that he does not possess in many of his other pieces.  He does not start with this hope, instead he starts with a contrast of the natural inclines of the earth and man's decline.  But he then speaks of the next century, and how mankind can work to come to a peace with nature.  Not only does he mean that is mankind's treatment of nature changes- the hills have a higher chance of still being in existence, but also that mankind can finally be in a peaceful covenant with nature and climb the slopes with ease rather than tension.

Themes of Turtle Island

1) "Coyote Valley Spring" p15
In this poem, Snyder's theme is the beautiful innocence animals can possess, and also the power of of nature.  The poem begins with a description of cubs tumbling in the damp leaves, which shows the relation of animals to human, and how both species enjoy playful time together.  The power of nature is exemplified when Snyder refers to rocks crumbling, and the earth shifting things.  Rockfalls and earthquakes are two powerful forces of the earth, and not only are they powerful, they're uncontrollable.  And while one would think man would be in awe of the Earth due to the simple power of these tow forces, the word "slip" used in line 11 suggests differently.  The fact that birds slip through the air, and Earth is constantly shifting with no effect on man, show how nature constantly goes unnoticed by man, which is perhaps why mankind has no problem with destroying it.  Ayako Takahashi makes a relevant point in "The Shaping of Gary Snyder's Ecological Consciousness" when she says "In western civilization nature is often seen as an object to be conquered, to be used for healing, or to be exploited as the source of a mysterious experience--in any case, as the other."  Because nature differs from man in many aspects, mankind has placed themselves above nature in the realms of the universe, instead of alongside it.

2) "The Wild Mushroom" p46
This poem's rhyme brings a sense of playfulness to a subject that can be very crucial to someone surviving of nourishment found in nature.  The crucial aspect of this poem is that eating the wrong thing, in the case a Boletus, can lead to death. (line 8) But the theme of this poem is ironic.  Because although mankind does know power lies within nature, one would not associate power within something as small as a mushroom.  But although much smaller, less complex and most likely considered insignificant to man, a mushroom can determine a man's fate.  Snyder's playfulness reflects the fact that he sees the humor in this irony, most likely because mankind fails to respect nature.  George Perkins Marsh discusses in his article "Man and Nature," how mankind constantly consumes and even destroys plant and animal life, with no intentions of giving back or preserving nature.  And although many would not consider one eating mushrooms for nourishment an offense against nature, it does reflect how the carelessness of mankind can lead to serious consequences.

3) "Dusty Bones" p75
The theme of this poem is Snyder expressing his anger towards the men before him that did damage towards nature that had lasting consequences.  Nine Bows is a common term used to describe enemies in Egypt, which is what Snyder expresses towards his ancestors. George Perkins Marsh discusses the same issue in his piece "Man and Nature," when he disccusses that man's damage to earth takes a long time to heal, and the healing cannot begin until he completely "withdraws the arm that gave the blow" (Marsh, 172).

Marsh, George Perkins. "Man and Nature."Organization Environment. (2002): 170-177. Web. 8
         Sep. 2012.

Takahashi, Ayako. "The Shaping of Gary Snyder's Ecological Consciousness." Comparative Literature  
        Studies. (2002): 314-325. Web. 8 Sep. 2012.

Turtle Island Poems

Turtle Island Poems

"Without"
         The theme of this poem is the power of nature.  Many people believe the word power automatically denotes strength and overbearing.  But the power of nature lies within its peacefulness.  Nature has the ability to cause stillness in one's soul, and also the ability to heal.  It is up to humans whether or not they embrace this power by spending time appreciating and meditating in this power.

"The Bath"
         In this poem, Gary Snyder depicts a bathing scene where he is giving his son a bath at first, and then he watches as his wife bathes his son.  The theme is the beauty of the human body.  At first Snyder is describing his son's body, giving focus to his genitalia, simply because the genitalia are the most beautiful part of the human body due to their reproductive ability.  As he washes his son, he reflects are how their bodies are the same, Kai's is just not developed.  Then his wife comes in and finishes the bath, and he reflects on the beauty of her body.  And how her body is both beautiful and important to him and Kai, but for different reasons.  For example, her nipples are a source of nourishment to Kai, but a source of sensual pleasure to himself.  But both Kai and himself treasure Masa'a nipples, and the rest of her body as well.

"Pine Tree Tops"
        The theme of this poem is not simply nature, but how man reacts to nature.  This poem appeals to many of the senses.  It appeals to sight with the glowing sky, smell with the pine tree tops, and hearing with the creak of boots.  This poem gives detail to parts of nature that are easily overlooked.  It ends with an interesting question, that could easily mean many things.  One possible answer could be that nature is unpredictable and will never be fully understood by man.  But the power of nature lies in the unknown of it.

"For Nothing"
        The theme of this poem is that nature is all around us, and all nature does is give, while never taking in return.  Snyder depicts how nature is found in flowers, phloxes, and even the minuscule salts of the earth.  He describes the flower as a glimmer and color, but then simply forgotten.  This reflects how mankind uses and appreciates the earth at times, but when nothing is to be gained, mankind abuses and neglects the earth.