Our Future Environment

It’s already well blogged, this vertical farming idea, and its currently the 8th most emailed article on the NYTimes.

Vertical farming is currently only conceptual and is the work of a Columbia professor, Dickson Despommier (of the apple trees) and his grad students. It begins with a skyscraper used to raise food such as fruit, vegetables, fish, and livestock using greenhouse growing methods and recycled resources year-round. Vertical farms would encourage eating locally, using less petro-based energy, and reduce the need for large scale horizontal farmland.

Vertical farming caught my interest today because I noticed that the idea has been around for almost 10 years but is just now swimming in the zeitgeist. Most comments about the idea are positive even while recognizing it will take plenty of money and planning to appear. It was rumored earlier this year that Vegas was building a vertical farm but it seems that such plans are non-existent.

The vertical farm is just one example of how people are beginning to see the connections between our urban space and our needs as living organisms. The vertical farm professor, Despommier, also writes about medical ecology, the idea that our health is linked to the physical and natural environment around us. It’s not a crazy idea, and is a given in environmental psychology or urban public health studies. Despommier must be on the same track as environmental psychologists if he is making these connections between architecture, health and innovative thinking for our future.

Filed under: farm, city, future, environmental planning on July 16th, 2008 | No Comments »

This “auto-sufficient amphibious” city will mostly likely end up being some kind of eco-resort for the rich long before it becomes a refuge for the displaced. But oh I wish I could live on it now.

Each city-pad can sustain 50,000 inhabitants and includes plans for self-sustainable resources, zero or no co2 emissions, and obviously the pleasure of living in such a place.

Huffington Post thinks such a city will be far in the future but the idea of a planned, man- made island has already been done in Dubai. If you combine Dubai’s islands with an oil rig platform, it seems that pad-city is soon to come.

Filed under: city, lilypad, future, environmental planning on July 6th, 2008 | No Comments »

Last Autumn I was wondering how or if my interest in anti-war protesting is related to my interest in why environmental activists become, well, active. Somewhere along this trail of inquiry I ran into the theory of Peace Parks.

Wikipedia states that peace parks create friendly borders between countries and encourage natural animal migration patterns, tourism, and economic development. However, my reading of peace parks, particularly of Ali Saleem, argues that a peace park can be used to decrease conflict between countries because of the sustainable, clean air and water it provides. Countries who are competing for resources or arguing over social-religious-political differences can benefit from peace parks when both sides begin to understand their equal need for quality natural resources like clean air and water. The argument for peace parks is that this understanding of shared need can be extended in the minds of opposing leaders and citizens to an understanding of a shared struggle to survive as a species.

Although peace parks sound like a noble idea, and one I wanted to investigate more, I was skeptical about the possibility of its success. But, two recent events have curved my skepticism.

First, at the 2008 Association of American Geographers conference I attended a paper session from a West Point professor titled “Climate Change and Potential Effects on Future U.S. Military Operations”. The WP professor, Eugene Palka, states “Although its primary mission is to fight and win the nation’s wars, the U.S. Military also must be postured to deploy anywhere in the world (to include regions where climate change contributes to deteriorating environmental conditions and escalating violence or threatens national interests) to undertake operations as directed by our government.” During his session I was surprised that this West Point professor, along with his colleagues in the panel, had many progressive and honest ideas about the future role of our government in natural environment resource conflicts. I was reminded then about peace parks and the possible role they could play.

The second event that allowed me to see the possibility of integrating peace parks into a plausible plan is an article I read today titled ” Global Warming could increase Terrorism“. This past Wednesday the chairman of the National Intelligence Council told Congress that global warming could destabilize “struggling and poor” countries around the world, prompting mass migrations and creating breeding grounds for terrorists. Another committee chairman, Ed Markey, argues

“Human beings all over the planet face death or damage or injury if we do not act”.

So it seems that peace park proponents, military analysts, and congressional chairmen are all on the same page but not likely to come up with a solid or possible plan. This would make for an interesting city planning project or research initiative but I’m not sure what the next step would be. A good first step for me, in order to further this argument, is to read more about what peace parks exist and get my hands on that classified congressional report.

If you have an ideas and opinions please share in the comments.

Read more »

Filed under: parks, eco-tourism, social justice, environmental planning on June 29th, 2008 | No Comments »

I noticed a few visitors to the site are in the Philippines so I investigated Philippine eco-tourism websites. There are an abundance of sites offering caving trips, snorkeling, surfing, and wildlife watching. Apparently the Philippine government launched a 20 year eco-tourism plan in 1991 to boost the economy. But, just looking through the first page of search returns (not a good sample) it seems that people are either trying to get you to visit or get you to worry about whether Philippine eco-tourism is a good idea.

Mary Ann Chen ng writes:

Ecotourism is commonly thought of as an alternative model as opposed to mass tourism. This is a typical example of an alternative form of development wherein problems are solved using a bottom-up approach as opposed to the traditional top-down approach. In this sense local communities have the autonomy to make decisions about their livelihood and environment. The assumption is that people will become empowered and free to determine their future.

In a way, this focus on local concerns can be interpreted as a paradoxical response to globalization. There is an inherent tension in the term, that is, ecotourism would not have evolved without globalization; but in order for ecotourism to be sustainable, “localities and lived experiences” need to be emphasized (Kong, 1999). Another implication here is that while the concept of ecotourism assumes a “greater degree of autonomy” from the government; at the same time, it is vulnerable to “the global system itself”(Meethan, 2001). In this polarity, local or indigenous communities are represented as simple, natural and therefore real. The value assigned to localities reflects a romanticized view of authentic life as opposed to the alienation of modern life. There are certain problems in applying this interpretation in the Philippine context.

In its rhetoric, the Philippine government has adopted ecotourism as a vital component of its overall plan for sustainable development. On the surface, government, civil societies, local and indigenous communities seem to be in agreement about the logic of promoting economic growth and environment conservation. Sufficient incentive, strong motivation, and social justice are just some of the reasons why ecotourism should succeed. However, agreement and commitment may not make much of a difference in the end. Agreement alone is not satisfactory in the presence of self-interest (Mackie, 1977). That is, agreements tend to be broken when it is advantageous to do so. Another variant is making agreements in the interest of pakikisama , a form of social interaction, which avoids direct confrontation in favor of unexpressed hostility (Lynch, 1984). One can agree socially but disagree personally. This then becomes a rationale for not actually agreeing. As the cliche goes, one remains true to oneself.

In other words, there exists a basic lack of trust of the public world—that is, anyone outside of one’s private sphere. “Philippine society is largely maintained by the astute manipulation of strategic ties along the basis of kinship, locality or personal connection “(Pertierra, 2002). In this arena of conflicting interests, with a government characterized by personalism, individuals engage in practical tactics for success. Despite being underpinned by strong personal religious values, Philippine society is often controlled by a powerful elite that furthers its interests —which may run contrary to environmental and social interests. As can be seen in Boracay, “socially responsible” civil society groups themselves are often members of the local elite.

Mulder (2001) argues that contemporary Philippine society’s response to globalization seems to be closer identification to “more particularistic, more primordial bonds”, such as those offered by the family, region of origin, religion and sects”. Given this social structure prone to inequity and personalism, it may be difficult for local elites to allow an authentically empowered local and/or indigenous community to exist, let alone control the benefits of ecotourism. In this sense, ecotourism may become a tool for increased marginalization and authentic alienation of local communities in ecotourist destinations.

Is there no hope for ecotourism in the Philippines? Is it a possibility that in this neo-feudal system of vested interests, ecotourism is just another buzzword in a long line of buzzwords such as that 70s poster child for development- green revolution. What about the poor themselves? One finding of the World Bank’s report on poverty is that poor Filipinos do not tend to belong to people’s organizations or non-government organizations (World Bank, 2001). Contrary to this being a sign of apathy, one obvious reason is that people in developing countries can not afford to be out of work. In effect, people are actively taking part in the global system. The poor “do not recline in their uncomplicated, unsullied existence, at one with nature, but strive to free themselves from poverty and drudgery” (Butcher, 1997). What can be more authentic than this? Taking this into account, the self-interest model mentioned previously can then be reinterpreted as a move towards preservation or “love of life” (Macer, 1998) in the form of an inherent hope for a more dignified and humane existence.

Oh, and there is also a Miss Philippines EcoTourism beauty pageant.

Filed under: philippines, eco-tourism on June 26th, 2008 | No Comments »

In a world where an increasing number of people are able to spend money and time on things other than basic needs, the importance of understanding leisure- what people want to do voluntarily and outside of obligation- is increasingly important. How the world’s future inhabitants will spend their money, their time, and their energy is an increasingly concerning topic as technology, globalization, and climate change shifts daily life.
In 1899, Thorstein Veblen published The Theory of the Leisure Class.

This volume departed from standard thought that leisure is the ultimate condition to be sought. Although Veblen’s work was flawed he argued that leisure, like other areas of individual and social life, could and should be subjected to theoretical and empirical analysis. Leisure could no longer be venerated as the ultimate goal of human activity. For almost half a century after Veblen’s work, leisure was still regarded as a moral and philosophical condition rather than a subject of scientific inquiry. But two works began to push leisure studies away from the previous conception, first by Lundberg, Komarovsky & McInerny (1934) in Leisure: A Suburban Study. This article was the first to examine leisure as an aspect of the social organization of the community.
The second work published in 1962 by the U.S. Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission explained, in 28 volumes, recreation behavior by reference to various sociodemographic data. It was the first to do so.
Between 1984 and 1994 some leisure studies topics declined while other topics such as ethnicity and leisure, and serious leisure emerged. Critical theory has began to emerge in gender-based frameworks and feminist theory. Some topics have been reconceptualized, for example: barriers have become constraints and benefits has become benefits approach to leisure. Qualitative methods has also gained equal standing with quantitative.

Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). Foreword, Preface and Introduction in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

Filed under: leisure on June 25th, 2008 | No Comments »

The readings below will be/have been read in order to understand eco-tourism’s past, present and future.

Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

A major volume of collected and commissioned articles for a leisure studies textbook covering progress and future questions for leisure studies in North America.

Lundberg, G., Komarovsky, M., & McInerny, M. (1934). Leisure: A Suburban Study. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.

This article examined leisure as an aspect of the social organization of the community.

Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission. (1962). Outdoor recreation for America. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

This publication explained recreation behavior by reference to various sociodemographic data. It was the first to do so.

Veblen, T. (1899). The Theory of the Leisure Class. New York, NY: Macmillan Publishing.

This book can be considered the beginning of the modern era in leisure studies because Veblen challenged the notion that leisure is the epitome of daily life. This notion had long been held as the standard since the beginning of Ancient Greek philosophy. He claimed that it should be theoretically and empirically examined like other aspects of social and individual life.

 

The chapters below are from the latest leisure studies collection by Jackson and Burton. They are organized by chapter and not yet alphabetical.

Cooper, W. (1999). Some Philosophical Aspects of Leisure Theory in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

This chapter provides an excellent rationale for the scholarly study of leisure.

Sylvester, C. The Western Idea of Work and Leisure: Traditions, Transformations, and the Future in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

This article provides an overview of Western notions of work and leisure. Sylvester notes the sterility of modern work and the importance of non-material needs of people in modern society. The lack of satisfaction in a great deal of modern work allows leisure to provide fulfillment in the human quest for self-worth and identity.

Iso-Ahola, S.E. Motivational Foundations of Leisure in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

Iso-Ahola discusses the issue of meaning from a psychological and sociological perspective, placing emphasis on the importance of self-determination.

Rojek, C. Deviant Leisure: The Dark Side of Free-Time Activity in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

Rojek investigates deviant leisure with a critical eye toward past leisure scholars who view leisure as a panacea for social “ills”. He argues that leisure has both positive and negative connotations, that the principal context in which deviance emerges in society is through leisure, and that deviant leisure plays a decisive role in social change.

Butler, R.W. Understanding Tourism in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

Butler argues for the justification of studying tourism, specifically showing how tourism has shifted from an excessive emphasis on tourism as panacea to focus upon the many problems and issues associated with tourism development.

Mannell, R.C. & Reid, D.G. Work and Leisure in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

This article ties into Sylvester and offers insights into the various ways in which leisure scholars have studied the work-leisure relationship.

Swinnnerton, G.S. Recreation and Conservation: Issues and Prospects in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

This article argues for the ability of theoretical and conceptual frameworks in conservation to generate new insight. It also echoes the Leisure Studies book as a whole by saying if concepts are to have meaning they must be related to action.

Mannell, R.C. Leisure Experience and Satisfaction in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

Mannell examines the dominant approaches to explaining the nature of the leisure experience for the individual. He identifies and synthesizes the strands that are central to the nature of experience, linking such experiences to mental health, work and quality of life. He concludes that attempts to assess the impact of leisure on quality of life depend greatly on the ability to observe and measure the actual amount and quality of leisure experienced rather than the extent of engagement in externally defined leisure activities.

Jackson, E.L. & Scott, D. Constraints to Leisure in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

Leisure Constraints is an area of study that began in the 1970s under the title of barriers to recreation participation but has since developed into the theme of constraints to leisure. This is a shift in focus and conceptualization, not merely semantics, because its central point is now that leisure is constrained and constraining. This means that while leisure experiences are almost invariably limited by constraints such as lack of facilities, resources and partners, they themselves also limit choice.

Driver, B. L.D. & Bruns, D.H. Concepts and Uses of the Benefits Approach to Leisure in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

Driver and Buns provide an overview of the benefits approach to leisure. The approach argues that people seek quality opportunities and experiences rather than activities. “There is currently a strong preference for government to employ the enabling authority of the state as a means of ensuring that public leisure services are provided by not-for-profit and commercial organizations rather than directly by government agencies themselves.” (xxi from introduction)

Stankey, G.H., McCool, S.F., Clark, R.N. , & Brown, P.J. in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

This article introduces the organizational and institutional challenges for public leisure service delivery in the context of the management of natural resources for recreation. Stankey and colleagues argue that the management frameworks (ROS and LAC) process must be joined with social learning models to enable the development of approaches in which science informs discussion rather than dictates it.

Cooper,W. Leisure Theory in the Information Age in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

Hemingway, J.L. Critique and Emancipation: Toward a Critical Theory of Leisure in Leisure Studies: Prospects for the 21st Century. Jackson, E.L. & Burton, T.L. (Eds.) (1999). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

Filed under: leisure on June 24th, 2008 | No Comments »

Eco-tourism can have a negative or positive influence on a local natural landscape or economy; this is not a new idea.

But, a critical analysis of which and how individuals are affected in processes of eco-tourism is needed and relatively fresh in leisure studies. Eco-tourism studies, and those individuals studied, can benefit from the inclusion of theories of the politics of intersectionality and difference.

In the conclusion of the edited volume Leisure Studies: Prospects for the Twenty-First Century (1999), the editors call for the inclusion of critical theory, branching from Habbermas, into leisure studies.

So, from here I will venture forth.

photo credit: j / f / photos

Filed under: eco-tourism, critical theory, goals on June 23rd, 2008 | No Comments »

I want to make a claim that an outdoor leisure environment, whether it takes the form of a public park, a private beach, or a green backyard, is correlated with a greater degree of understanding and empathy for our natural landscape. Marcelo Bonta writes of his concern about children of minority or heterogeneous race who have less access and cultural awareness of the importance of our natural environment. What will occur across sociocultural zones to influence our future leaders understanding about the necessity of outdoor leisure environments ?

” ‘The trees, the flowers, the stream, this trail. This is all yours,’ I finally answer.

‘It is? How can this all be mine?’

‘Well, it’s actually everybody’s. This forest was set aside so you and all people can always enjoy it. It will always be here. No one will ever build houses or big buildings or anything like that on this land,’ I explain.

‘Oh,’ she says, allowing the information to sink in. As she slowly realizes what I’m saying, a slight twinkle in her eyegradually grows into the big smile that always makes me melt.

‘This is my trail,’ she says, happily skipping past me back toward the distant trailhead.

My moment of nirvana is disrupted by concern about Kyra’s future — something that seems to happen fairly often.

What if, for instance, Kyra decides to follow a career path in conservation and land protection? Her love of nature is pure. And simply by exposing her to the

right opportunities, I’ve found that she absorbs anything that has to do with plants, animals, and being green. All of which makes me happy. My main concern is this: I don’t see many people who look like Kyra working for environmental organizations.

You see, Kyra is a unique mix of Jamaican, Filipino, Caucasian, and Spanish heritage. What would it be like for her to maneuver in such a homogeneous culture?”

photo credit: shoe the Linux Librarian

Filed under: future, fostering identity, natural landscape on June 21st, 2008 | 1 Comment »

UNDERGROUND

Interdisciplinary Graduate Conference November 6-7, 2008

Department of Comparative Literature

Graduate Center, City University of New York

365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Call for Papers

I am convinced that fellows like me who live in dark cellars must be
kept under restraint. They may be able to live in their dark cellars for
forty years and never open their mouths, but the moment they get into
the light of day and break out they may talk and talk and talk…

 

-Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Notes from Underground

How do we perceive the underground? What lies beneath the surface?
Wherein lies the significance of this metaphor? In defining the
“underground” we have an immediate understanding of the term in its
political, artistic, spatial and temporal dimensions: secret societies,
the avant-garde, the unknown, the underworld. But what else constitutes
the underground? Since antiquity we have been fascinated by the
possibility of a separate realm that does not abide by the conventions
of the known world. The underground also represents all that is hidden
within the human psyche and that resists our attempts to excavate it.
This conference intends to explore manifestations of the underground
across all disciplines: literature, art, music, film, political science,
sociology, psychology, art history, classics, philosophy, etc.

 Papers might focus on the following topics, but are not limited to
these:

The underground man in the novel-the underworld-Hades-the
subversive-counterculture-resistance
movements-outlaws-outcasts-misfits-the subconscious-the subway-the
metro-the grave-le gouffre-the living
dead-internment-revolution-catacombs-bomb
shelters-thresholds-sewage-treasure-secret societies-the mole-urban
myth-irony-the hidden-underground railroad-slave narrative-the
avant-garde in music, film, art and writing.

Please submit abstracts of up to 300 words to cunyundergroundATgmail.com
or to the address below. Special consideration will be given to panel
proposals. We will acknowledge the receipt of abstracts within 2-3
days. The deadline for submissions is August 18, 2008.

You will be notified if your proposal has been accepted no later than
September 17, 2008 and we would like to have confirmation from those
whose submissions have been accepted no later than October 1, 2008.
There is no registration fee and the conference is free to attend.
Please send all questions to the above listed email address.

Filed under: caves, goals on June 20th, 2008 | No Comments »

A new Google Earth feature (download here) visually represents the rates of deforestation across the world.

Other new features of Google Earth Outreach include layers representing dams to endangered species to the South China Sea project. The Huffington Post asks what other layer could be next. I’m interested to see what global layers exist for public green spaces- particularly those for leisure or recreation.

Filed under: environmental planning on June 19th, 2008 | No Comments »