nsehgal’s Recent Comments

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  Peak Oil

  In several of my classes we have debated about the role of sex and delivering important information.  Sex does sell, but it really does not get the whole message across.  I view it as high quantity but low quality; numerous watchers tune in, but only a few actually listen/understand the issue at hand.

  When I started to watch the video, I was getting annoyed with the right panel, so I put up a screen to block the right panel.  After that, I was able to listen to the speaker in the left panel talk about Peak Oil.  Reading through the blogging comments, I realized that most of us have a hard time multi-tasking, especially when important information is being delivered with sex related media.  I personally prefer to just watch the left panel.  For me, that is more interesting.

  I agree with the speaker's message, but I wonder why the media has not put more emphasis on the the dire conditions.  Our society is extremely depended on oil and to have a shortage in the near future should be disturbing.  I know around the world there are more riots, wars, corruption, and poverty due to the oil conditions; however, I am sure that most people in the U.S. are ignorant to that.  At most, they worry about gas prices and do not realize what rising gas prices really means for the national and international economy.  
  On How to get people to pay attention to peak oil posted 1 year, 6 months ago 45 Responses

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  Earth Day

  Earth Day this year seemed more like Earth Week. My TV stations had specials on sustainability and going green every day during the week when Earth Day fell.  Cable channels, like A&E and Bravo, had special 'green' commercials during that week.  This year, the media especially heighted awareness when it came to Earth Day; however, it was a short lived affair.  After Earth Day, the specials/stories on TV about sustainability, social responsibility, or going green stopped.  So, while awareness was raised, what did people really do? Did they make life changes or contemplate learning more about environmental and social issues?  My guess is that most did not.  Going green was portrayed in a fun and capricious manner.

  If we want people to truly take something away from Earth Day, the media has to make an effort that is sustainable.  They should add a permanent section to their show about sustainability.  Furthermore, Earth Day should start shifting towards action rather than awareness.  As a unit, communities should do something like have subsidized public transportation for the week or promote vermi-composting.    Earth Day can truly make a change in how others perceive sustainability and social responsibility.
  On How'd Earth Day treat you this year? posted 1 year, 6 months ago 3 Responses

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  Community living

  As a young student, it is difficult to understand what parents look for in a neighborhood, when raising children.  However, in a recent class, a guest lecturer discussed the idea of community housing.  These divisions have been developed with the intention to nurture community living.  All the homes fulfill the affordable housing criteria.  The communities have a variety of families with different socioeconomic status and backgrounds. The common thread that all community members share is the desire to create safe community for their kids to grow up in and to instill the importance of respecting the environment.  The homes are surrounded by an organic farm, organic gardens, and a prairie restoration site.  Additionally, there are communal meals and events for the community members to partake in.  I feel this community living is what parents desire, but do not always receive.   The speaker mentioned that kids know one another in the community and parents befriend their neighbors.  Most of these parents are not scared to send their kids outside to play because they know that other parents are watching out for them, as well.    

  Today's society has become increasingly isolated.  Our houses are bigger and more spread apart.  It is rare that we know all our neighbors.  As social creatures, this isolation is unhealthy.  Our jobs and home responsibilities cut us off from others, making it difficult for us to feel like we are part of something bigger - a community.  If we cannot get to know our neighbors or trust them, then who can we depend on?  Can we leave children to play in the backyard while we are inside or do we have to be out there with them?  As a future parent, the community housing looks attractive.
  On Why save the planet if you don't know who lives here? posted 1 year, 6 months ago 8 Responses

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  What does it mean to be Green?

  Lately I have seen and heard more about going green than ever before. At first I thought it might be because of a sustainability class I took, that I became more attuned to green news, but I think there is more.  It seems like green is the new black.  From famous people vouching for green products, to green fashion statements, to the increasing popularity for local organics, it seems like our media has flooded its channel with green-ness.  Almost every morning show has 2-3 stories on something relating to becoming green.  Five years ago, Earth Day would have casually been mentioned on TV, but this year they had an Earth Week.  While this is a great way to increase awareness about going green, is it sustainable?  Will people really change their ways if celebrities or the media tell them to? I believe the way the media is promoting green is only for short term gains.  It is a fad right now and before we know it green will go back to being an afterthought.

  I have noticed in my personal life there are two ways of going green -the simpler life or continuing the embellished life with a green twist.  People who opt to make life simpler, like limit the technological gadgets purchased or walk/bike to work instead of using a car, find it easier and cheaper to go green.   This lifestyle decision is cost efficient and sustainable.  On the other hand, people who follow the green fad find living a green lifestyle is expensive.  They opt to continue with their luxuries, but embellish it with green clothes and accessories.  I believe our media is pushing the second method of going green.  Green is hip and expensive, as portrayed by the media.  It is viewed as a socioeconomic status marker.  In all reality, green should not be like this.  It should be (actually is) affordable but requires people to give up luxuries.  Green means connecting with our local environment.  
  On Digging into the relationships between business and environmentalism posted 1 year, 6 months ago 2 Responses

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  Alternative energy and changing behaviors

  I recently had a guest speaker discuss the inefficiencies of using coal for energy - 2/3 of the energy is lot before it is utilized by consumers.  In addition, the byproduct is not environmental friendly.  So, this brought up the topic of alternative energy and its feasibility.  The U.S. is quite large and I don't think one energy type will be able to fuel the country's needs.  It would be better to divide the country into regions and have them create energy that is most efficient for them.  For example, the West and South should focus on solar energy, the Plains on corn, the Midwest on wind, and the East coast on wind (or nuclear).   If we are able to create tangible incentives for energy companies to adopt a new method of energy generation that is profitable, I feel this proposal will work.  Large investment in infrastructure will be required, but it is possible if there is support from private companies.  Privatizing energy might be a good way to go about this proposal.

  Also, we need to become more energy efficient.  This is especially true for building and home consumption.  New and renovated buildings should have a strict energy efficiency code to follow.  There are several new building coming up in my community, but only a few are green certified.  Builders and developers are not driven to create green certified buildings.   Architect schools need to have sustainable building courses as core requirements.    Additionally, consumers need to be more aware of how they can conserve energy.  Educational outreach already exists, but the intensity needs to be increased.  
  On A story in pictures posted 1 year, 7 months ago 11 Responses