Environmental Education 2 ESSENCE December 2012
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ESSENCEThe University of Victoria Environmental Studies Student Association Periodical Volume 5 Issue 2 December 2012 Environmental Education 2 ESSENCE December 2012 CONTRIBUTORS Letter from the editor ESSA update: Jaime Chong - Managing Editor What is environmental education? out of school because having them Joshua Lambert - Head Editor A very broad topic, that’s what. It be a part of something so impor- ESSA needs you! Kyle - Advertising can encompass both the natural tant, and having them see a healthy The Martlet - Martlet Assistance and the artificial world; it can take democracy is unquestionably more place inside a formal institution or valuable than whatever they’re do- Recruiting next Layout in your own backyard; it can be in ing at a desk in the classroom.” Stephen Littleford the form of literature, movie, me- Forgetting that the theme of this Joshua Lambert dia, conversation, reflection or a semester’s issue is environmental year’s intrepid David Norwell simple walk with your dog through education, all these definitions and Julia Warren a park. Environmental education as goals addressed are essentially the a concept has been around world- essence of this publication. From executives Copy Editors wide since the rise of environmen- here on out, it will be whatever Emma Wilson talism in the 1970s (though some readers interpret it to be. I can only The Environmental Studies Student or minor, or neither but have come Morgan Davies may argue longer). The United hope that the passion and knowl- Association (ESSA) is the Environ- to find yourself interested in the pro- David Norwell Nations Education Scientific and edge from our contributors shines mental Studies undergraduate course gram and want to get involved, come Nicole Heron Cultural Organization states that through and sparks inspiration. union. The group focuses on linking check out an ESSA meeting. Roleen Sevillena environmental education should On behalf of the ESSENCE crew, environmental activism and social This semester ESSA faced the chal- Julia Warren support individuals in understand- we hope that you read this publica- networking within the undergraduate lenge of a high turnover rate. Relative Jaime Chong ing the major problems of the con- tion with an open mind, consider community. It is a venue for connect- to other course unions, the Fall 2012 Joshua Lambert temporary world, and provide in- the ideas and perspectives of these ing students to resources, opportuni- ESSA crew was small, but we were, sight into how we can all have a UVic students, reflect on your own ties, outreach and each other. and still are, keen to keep on keepin’ Artwork/Photography productive role in protecting the life on this planet we call Earth, ESSA provides an opportunity for on. We had a presence at UVERT, David Norwell environment. and then share all these things with environmental studies students to which was incredibly inspiring; the Blakeney Malo I have a friend who is an envi- as many as possible. learn about volunteer opportuni- Defend Our Coast Rally, which was ronmental educator; she works ties, job possibilities, workshops and equally inspiring; the Local Com- Contributors with kids struggling from what she May the forest be with you, environmental-related events around munity Market, where we sold jams, Jaime Chong calls “nature deficit disorder.” My Jaime Chong Victoria and the greater CRD region. hot sauces, and baked treats to raise Joshua Lambert friend defines environmental edu- It also provides a safe, inclusive space money for ESSENCE; and we helped Sarah Hughes cation as the process of develop- for environmental studies students to with the promotion of the Operation Stephen Littleford ing environmental interactions by meet each other, find connections in Wallacea. A smorgasbord of ideas was Kayla Amaladas improving environmental literacy. their classes and create meaningful put on the table but unfortunately, David Norwell She highlights four components of and hopefully long-lasting relation- with a lack of numbers this semester, Kimberley Veness environmental literacy: 1) Aware- ships. ESSA is always open for new some fell through. Provided the world Matthew Morrison ness 2) Knowledge 3) Attitude and ideas and possibilities and no one is doesn’t end within the next month, Nathalie Vogel 4) Action. ever turned away. we’re excited to see some new faces Dawn Fizzard After many conversations with fel- ESSA is constantly looking for new, and accomplish even more next se- Andrew Picard low protesters at the Defend The eager members, whether they are driv- mester. We’ll see you then. Greg Medhurst Coast Rally, one quote that I re- en to take the lead on a new project Julia Warren member and will never forget came or want to come out and contribute Your ESSA executives, April Barry from a mum holding the hands of in a less time-consuming way. If Jaime Chong, Julia Warren and Laura Tassie her two children: “I pulled my kids you’re an environmental studies major Greg Medhurst Kaitlyn Pelletier Talia MacDonald Katarina Hedler On being an observer Special thanks to the Martlet team for kindly sharing their SARA HUGHES workspace and their wisdom. Te legislature lawn sprouts a thick bed of protesters holding vibrant signs and Cover image by banners. It’s gusty, brisk and unpleasantly Blakeney Malo grey. The only body parts that remain lukewarm are my wool-clad feet. Every- one is bundled against the chilled, mid- morning air on Monday, October 22nd, 2012, in Victoria, but they want to show THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN their homemade, thought-provoking post- EACH ARTICLE ARE SPECIFIC ers. Tey want to Defend Our Coast, just TO THE AUTHOR; THEY DO as I do. NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT People of all ages, ethnicities and back- THOSE OF THE PRODUCERS, grounds stand against the cold and the CONTRIBUTORS, ADVERTISERS, proposed pipelines. Some wear fuorescent THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES rain jackets, others patchwork hoodies. STUDENT ASSOCIATION, Kids stand with their parents and perky OR THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA. WE ARE AN family dogs while elderly people clasp slo- INDEPENDENT, STUDENT gan-emblazoned umbrellas. A friend has a DRIVEN, SUBMISSIONS-BASED cardboard sign strapped to her backpack, PUBLICATION. “I’m here for the 785 rivers and streams.” Te rally speakers have not yet started but the hum of the growing crowd livens me up from the cold. I frst became involved with Defend Our Coast — which is now more accurately For more referred to as Defend Te Coast (DTC) — when I saw a poster dedicated to it at information about PROTESTING AT THE DEFEND OUR COAST RALLY PHOTO BY DAVID NORWELL ESSA or to view this the University of Victoria (UVic). I found issue online visit: myself volunteering for the Direct Action boot camp. I’d become inundated with other commodities, and support social ser- gonna happen Steve.” Many people boot camp that took place in the Student information on being arrested and fned vices like transit and garbage pick-up. All have black teardrops painted onto http://web.uvic.ca/~essa/ Union Building. and needed some downtime to assess my of these require the oil and gas industry; in their faces. There are signs with a I spent all of Sunday preparing with feelings on the whole event. no way am I one to say I’m against the use more humorous tone like “When 300 other Enbridge pipeline protesters I wrestled with myself over why I wanted of oil. I wondered what made me worthy pigs fly” and “Unicorns for Clean at UVic. I volunteered my time to paint to partake in this action in the frst place. of being a protester on the unceded ter- Coast.” Folks mingle wearing fluo- Please recycle this welcome signs and registered people’s le- Of course, protecting the coast and our ritories that the Ledge stood on, with the rescent fish hats and a paper-ma- issue or pass it on gal information, in case of possible arrest collective right to nature was a big factor, other 4,000 people and their signs. ché Earth glides about on stilts. the next day. I engaged in the 80 min- but it troubled me to think I had other, Merging with the crowd on the The Coast Salish people arrive in a to someone else! ute long legal workshops and direct ac- profound reasons to take part in the peace- soggy lawn of the legislature, I docu- magnificent procession, carrying a tion scenarios. I wanted to be thoroughly ful civil disobedient act on the 22nd. ment the turnout, snap-happy. The beautiful salmon above their heads, prepared for the big planned action. By Like many people, I’m a supporter of milieu of posters and banners aim to swimming in the air to the beat of 5:30 p.m., a few hours before the session the oil industry, whether I like it or not. I remind people of Exxon Valdez and their song. They climb the fnished, I skipped out on the continuing drive more on occasion to buy food and state personal messages like “Not continued on page 8 December 2012 ESSENCE 3 Garden’n community MATTHEW MORRISON more and more improvements to the space, but we can’t do it alone. We need Looking for community? Te Campus the support of the student community to Community Garden is looking for you. help us. We want to build a gazebo, we Yes, the waitlist is long and you may not want a composting toilet, we want fruit feel comfortable with having your very trees, we want fertility, we want to cel- own plot, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ebrate, we want to harvest, and cook, and have a tangible, meaningful, rewarding eat, and most importantly we want to do relationship with food security on campus.