Advanced Bioregionalism Education
Winter Session 2007
November 7th, 8th & 9th
As we always do, we met in the park and the theme
this time was contamination of soil and water.
We made a circle and began to talk about the importance of water
and soil for life. Then I
explained to the students that just like the atmosphere is contaminated,
so are water and soil. With
this in mind, it's important to understand how they are polluted.
Water is considered polluted when it is no longer
suitable for consumption by living beings.
In some cases, contamination has been accidental, but mostly it is
directly related to industrial growth.
Urban run off and waste waters contaminate fresh water.
Residues from industries and factories run into rivers and from the
rivers into the ocean. This
contamination affects all living organisms.
To drink potable water in Bahia, we have to buy
bottled water, and even that isn't always properly treated.
The soil is also important and intimately related to
water since without water there is no agricultural production.
Contaminated soil produces contaminated crops which aren't suitable
to eat. Poor agricultural
practices can also contaminate soil.
One of the greatest threats to soil quality is the erosion of the
top soil, which is rich in humus and nutrients for plants.
On Thursday a group of bioregionalistas from the
class went to San Vicente to participate in an open house. We presented on the theme of Bioregions.
We had two posters with pictures of work from the bioregionalism
classes and gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Unfortunately our computer crashed during the
presentation, but aside from that, the open house went very well.
Friday the bio-detectives made a trip around Bahia,
documenting the large amount of solid wastes along the way.
The majority of which was found in different rainwater drainages.
We were accompanied by two Planet Drum volunteers, Michelle and
Lillian.
Stagnant waters with oil residues were found.
The
students made videos and took pictures with digital cameras of what they
saw. They asked me questions
along the way and commented that most of the garbage was found on the
hills. The garbage in the
rainwater runoff will eventually find its way into the sea and could be
confused for food by marine animals which would then be harmed or killed.
In conclusion, the students noted that there should
be a neighborhood cleanup and that people should be made aware of their
responsibility to dispose of garbage properly.
Afterwards we played three games, led by Michelle and
Lillian. The games were
related to the theme of pollution.
We all had a good time playing the games, especially
the students.
Translated by Clay.
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Advanced Bioregionalism Education
Winter Session 2007
November 14th & 16th
On Monday we met in the park to begin a new theme:
Solid Wastes. Before
beginning I asked the students what they knew about solid waste and they
said that it is the garbage generated by human beings.
After this I added that solid waste is garbage, but
also includes all residues solid, semi-solid and liquid that are disposed
of in the environment. These
wastes come from different sources, such as domestic, institutional,
commercial, industrial, and agriculture.
Most of these sources produce typical garbage, but hospitals,
factories and agriculture produce more dangerous wastes that should get
special treatment.
Among these wastes, some can be re-used for different
purposes. Organic waste can
make compost, and other materials, such as glass, metal and plastic can be
recycled. It would be
possible to take advantage of such re-usage with city programs for
separation. But because there
isn't good collection and transport on the part of local authorities,
wastes accumulate in parts of the city, like we saw during our field trip
last week.
On Friday, we had planned to do a neighborhood
cleanup, but didn't because some of the students had to participate in a
parade in San Vicente and couldn't attend class.
The students who did show up were disappointed because it was too
late to plan another outing, and they couldn't do the cleanup without the
others. Those who came met in
the park with Planet Drum volunteers Michelle and Lillian where they
played environmentally themed games.
Afterwards they exchanged some language lessons.
Translated by Clay.
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