Blog 5

I would know that I have spotted a Green Learning Community if it encompassed a certain set of unique characteristics that sets it apart from the traditional classroom. A Green Learning community seeks to bring ecology into all aspects of their teaching. The members of a Green Learning Community all share an interest in living sustainably and come together to collaborate and share ideas about how to make the world around them more environmentally friendly. Green Learning Communities believe and follow "Green Values" as opposed to less environmentally conscious "Conventional Values". Green Learning communities exercise the belief that human beings are a part of nature and not above or separate from it. Generally, Green Learning communities exercise a non- hierarchal style of leadership, so that no one person is more significant than another. This type of set- up better enables students to take charge rather than blindly follow orders from an authority figure. Green Learning communities also implement a Consensus style of decision- making, giving every member of the community a voice in the decision- making process.  Finally a unique characteristic of a Green Learning Community is that they focus less on the traditional style of grading and more on student's participation and enthusiasm.

Blog 4

I find Green Values to be both thought provoking and important. Generally speaking I agree with most of the Green Values that the United States Green party acts on. I really agree with and can appreciate  the underlying message of the Green Party, which basically is that the nature of our planet has intrinsic worth and value other than in terms of economic value. I found that to be an inspiring way to view the world and it is that kind of intrinsic thinking that puts our environment's worth into perspective for me.
  One of the Values that I most agree with would have to be "ecological wisdom". I believe that it is so important for humans to recognize that we as a society are not separate from nature but are in fact a part of it. I really agree that humans must utilize resources in such a way that future generations will benefit and not suffer from the practices of former generations. But in order for this to be possible we must live in ways that respect our natural surroundings by practicing things such as energy efficiency.
  What surprised me most about the readings was how far stretched Green Values can be applied. I never realized that one of the main Values of the Green Party was promoting Non- Violence. I had always thought that the Green Party really only sought to improve the quality of the environment and was not aware of all the societal components to it. But it does make sense that the use of violent weapons such as, Weapons of Mass destruction have lasting impacts on the environment.
  Overall I enjoyed expanding my knowledge and understanding of Green Values.

Blog 3

The program that I find most interesting from the AASHE website would have to be the STARS program. STARS stands for The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System and is a self reporting framework that colleges and universities use to measure their sustainability performance. I find this program so interesting because it provides universities and other institutions with a common set of measurements that they can use to compare their level of sustainability between one another. It also provides institutions that have made steps towards becoming more sustainable with the recognition that they deserve. 

      The most interesting program that I came across in the Sustainable Carolina website would have to be the Campus "Food Team". Ever since I took an environmental science course here at USC, I have become more aware of the ecological impact that my food choices have on the environment. It seems like the Food Team works to limit the campus's overall impact by promoting sustainable dining practices in our on campus dining facilities, as well as coordinating discussions and lectures to educate students on food issues. 

   The question that I have for Margret Bounds is whether or not converting our campus to more sustainable dining facilities would drive up the cost of student's meal plans? In other words, would it costs students more to eat sustainably? 

Blog #2

My name is Mary Ellen Coffay. I am 19 years old and I am from Rockville, Maryland. I have 2 older brothers and spent most of my childhood competing with them. Up until I came to college sports pretty much consumed most of my free time. I spent my childhood playing soccer, basketball and swimming year round and went on to play Field hockey and run track in high school. I love seafood, music and warm weather. For the past 5 summers I have been a lifeguard and swim coach at a pool back in Maryland, but I am hoping to retire from that line of work and move on to something geared more towards my major and academic interests. Just this past year I decided to minor in Philosophy because I really enjoy how it causes me to see the world differently and realize that certain things are not as 'concrete' as they may seem.  I have always been very interested in the history and workings of the United States government and political system. Therefore, I decided to major in Political Science here at USC and hope to go on to law school following my undergrad. However, if for some reason I am not able to attend law school directly following my graduation from USC, I plan to get into lobbying as many Political Science majors do.

Blog 1

Upon concluding this course I hope to have a better understanding of Green Political Thought and its influence on political discourse in the United States. I really don't know much about the six topics (deep ecology, spiritual ecology, social ecology, green democracy, ecofeminism and environmental policy) that make up "Green" Political thought but would like to learn more about them. After taking feminist political theory last semester I became very interested in feminism and its ideals, so I am looking forward to exploring the ecofeminism component that makes up Green Political Thought. I first became environmentally "aware" after reading my freshman reading experience book two summers ago. The book was written by Colin Beaven and was titled No Impact Man. Colin's book made me realize just how wasteful our cultural has become and how our societal behaviors often permanently damage our environment. I realized that I needed to do my part and become more environmentally conscious, however I will admit that I have had some trouble doing so. Therefore I am really excited about having the opportunity to become involved in the "Green Action" portion of this course. I feel like becoming directly involved with Sustainable Carolina's project teams will give me that opportunity to actively work towards making USC a more environmentally friendly campus.