Question 5

I try to be environmentally conscious when it comes to everyday choices. However, I hardly ever think about the environment when buying food. There are a large amount of things I cannot eat, so my health comes first when I am picking out food. Other then that, price is my biggest concern when buying food. I ideally, I think buying locally grown food is best for the environment but there isn't any place within walking distance where that is provided. I do buy locally grown food at the farmer's market in MN when I am home. Also, in the summer, there is a small locally grown food stand by my apt in DC but there aren't many options.

I think all of the coffee I drink has the biggest impact on the environment. I should use a thermos but sometimes I forget, or don't clean it and it's too big to fit in the coffee machine at work. Therefore, i end up using many disposable cups. The amount of cups, lids, sleeves, sugar packets, etc. that I use is definitely harming the environment.

question 5

Unfortunately, I don't really think about the environmental impact of the food I buy either. Like Joanna, price is the number one thing I really look at, especially lately. Actually, since I came to college, my eating habits have been terrible and I've made some ill-advised unnecessary purchases, so I'm trying to save as much money as I can, even with food. I don't care if it tastes like plywood, if it's cheap, I'll eat it.
I think the microwave dinners I've been having a lot of lately probably have the most environmental impact (they were on sale for a dollar each at Giant). I don't know exactly how they prepare those, but I'm assuming that they're both unhealthy and environmentally unfriendly. There's the box, the little tray, the plastic wrap, all the ingredients, etc. Also, organic food is usually healthier and more environmentally friendly (that's what I heard anyway, I'm not sure) and microwave dinners are definitely not organic.

question 5

I dont thin that i have ever kept the environment in mind when i buy or eat my food. Top on my list or concern when buying food is price; if it's cheap, i'll buy it. This applies to almost everything that i buy, with the exception of eggs. I like to buy organic or cage free eggs when i can, but again, if they are significantly more expensive, i dont even do that. Price is definitely the most important factor in my food choices, probably followed by health (multi grain v. white bread, calories etc). Technically, i guess just because its organic even mean its environmentally better anyway.
I did watch a segment on tv once about buying food that is packaged in less plastic, and how we should all buy things that arent over packaged, but to be honest, i've never actually stopped and bought an alternative because what i was looking to buy had too much packaging.
Of the most recent foods that i have eaten, i would say that the prepackaged cake i made probably had the greatest environmental impact due to all the byproducts and materials that go into the manufacturing of the mix and the packaging. although, thats a tough question, because its hard for me to judge the environmental impact of the food that i have consumed.

Question 4

I don't think technology alone is enough to save us.  By "save" I mean significantly decrease the negative impact we are making on the earth, to the point that it is considered sustainable.  I do believe that technological advancements will continue to be developed that can help or even reverse some of the damage already caused.  In Nash's article, for example, he predicted that technology would eventually eliminate overexploitation of natural resources, like wood.  In class we discussed how new technology is being developed in the agricultural field so that pesticides can be applied directly to plants, lessening their harmful effects on the environment.  As stated in Davis' article, history doesn't provide us with any evidence that humans have the desire to use modern technology in a sustainable fashion.  Since technological regression is so unlikely, it is important that technology be incorporated into solutions to environmental problems as well as be used with restraint.  Maybe the right combination of technology and moderation will save us. 

Week 4

Technology is an interesting part of the I=PAT equation because people hold different opinions on whether it is negative or positive. Some argue that technology is the reason the environment is in the shape it is today. Technology invented the smoke stacks, cars, and power plants that continue to pollute our planet. Others believe that technology can save us by producing "greener" products, as well as innovations that clean up the environment in some aspect.
I believe that technology is actually somewhere in the middle of these two points of view. Technology is very hard to predict. Because of this, it is hard to say what kinds of technology will be invented in the next 10, 20, or 30 years. To say that technology will save us is relying too heavily on an unpredictable variable. I do believe however that technology can offer some hope. If we invest in technologies that could possibly save some aspect of the environment than there will be a better chance that a breakthrough in that particular area will arise. This can be done by giving more government funding to scientists who are involved in research pertaining to the environment, or through private grants.
It is important that we invest in techology while not relying too heavily on it. Along with this it is important that we change our consumption patterns while at the same time doing something about the exponentially rising population on earth. Once we focus on these three things we will be moving in the right direction.

Question 4

Technology is something that i would say most americans cannot live without. From cell phones, to computers to even electricity, its one of the few consistent things in our lives. We have become so dependent on it that it that i cannot foresee us going back to the days of less technology. Looking at trends however, it seems that as technology is improving, getting quicker, smaller, etc, it is also becoming less damaging to the environment. We are coming up with new technologies that use clean energy, and that are more energy efficient. While in the long run, we may still be damaging the environment with the use of any technology, its improvements at least are now looking to save the planet, rather than continue to destroy it.
Its strange to think that only 100 years ago, hardly anyone drove cars and electricity was uncommon in the US. Now we cannot imagine a world without such things. 100 years from now we may look back and think how could we live in such a dirty world. Technology is changing so quickly, and with the new trends being not just quicker and smaller, but cleaner and more efficient, we may see an equally dramatic growth in cleaner energy.
In 100 years, technology brought us from outhouses and horse and buggies to self cleaning toilets and 8 person SUV's. 100 more years of rapid technological improvements may lead us to completely renewable energy sources and a cleaner environment. At this point, it really has to, because it is so much a part of our everyday lives that we cannot get rid of it, we must improve it. With all the new trends and the ever increasing improvements in technology, it appears that technology will save us from completely destroying the environment in the future.

Question 4

I have generally thought of technology as a positive force in the world. I think there is a general positive view of technology in America because we are banking on new technology to save our ecological problems. Publications, such as Time, always have articles on new environmentally friendly technological innovations. However, technology is not a magical solution that will solve all problems. It seems people are relying on technology because technology allows us to continue the lifestyle we cherish but still feel we are helping the world.

I think technology can be a good force but its not an end all solution. A lot of other changes need to take place and technology is just a small piece of the puzzle.