The article chosen for this analysis and consideration of the sustainability science is Davenport, C. (2019, February 12). Senate Passes a Sweeping Land, Conservation Bill. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/climate/senate-conservation-bill.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/climate
Senate Passes a Sweeping Land, Conservation Bill by Davenport, C. is an article that featured in the New York Times February 12, 2019. The article presents to us the measures that the U.S Senate and the government at large are taking to ensure the country’s environmental sustainability. Reportedly, the Senate passed the bill overwhelmingly by 82 to 8 votes. As the bill awaits the House of Representatives, it proposes an increase in acreage of the wilderness by 1.3 million acres. Moreover, the bill classifies more than 400 miles of rivers as recreational, wild, or scenic. In some states such as Washington and Montana, the bill provides for permanent protection of lands. In addition, it prohibits the usage and any development of most motorized vehicles.
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Davenport’s article presents to us a typical environmental sustainability case study in the United States. Basically, environmental sustainability involves the employment of measures aiming at achieving ecological balance by avoiding natural resources depletion. This theme is evident in the article as the U.S government is trying to achieve this by legislation whereby more land will be protected from mining and drilling thus ensuring ecological balance since neither natural habitats for wildlife will not be endangered nor natural resources are exploited in the protected areas. For instance, some of the challenges associated with mining are the loss of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict, and loss of other resources such as water towers. An increase in acreage of 1.3 million will ensure a better balance of the same.
To attain environmental sustainability in the world there requires measures addressing the immense carbon emissions experienced in the world today. Davenport reports that the bill proposes the prohibition of any development and usage of most motorized vehicles. Such a move will ensure a safer environment for the U.S citizens and as well as other aspects affected by carbon emissions. Lower carbon levels in the atmosphere mean a more balanced environment for life on the earth as well as better controlled temperatures thus decreasing global warming and its effects. Davenport’s article clearly addresses environmental sustainability in the U.S.
Davenport’s article is related to the topic of sustainability because it reports about legislation matters aiming at environmental conservation in the U.S. According to the article, the bill that was passed increases United States’ conserved land by 1.3 million acres of which some of it is in areas covered by rivers and monuments. The importance of the article by Davenport to those who are concerned about sustainability is to provide information on environmental sustainability trends in the world as well to serve as a guide on measures which can be taken by other interested parties to implement environmental conservation programs in other countries.
Senate Passes a Sweeping Land, Conservation Bill article by Davenport, C. is apparently aiming at convincing policymakers especially from other countries about the possibility of achieving environmental sustainability. This is because the article speaks about a bill that has gone through the process of legislation and therefore finding policymakers to be the best groups that implement the same. The article also aims at sharing information to the public of the U.S as a way of making them aware of what the government is intending to do.
The article directly connects with the topic of water. Reportedly, the already senate passed bill classifies more than 400 miles of rivers as recreational, wild, or scenic ( Davenport, C., 2019, February 12) . Such a measure will ensure enhanced protection of rivers hence clean and safe water sources because the stretches of the specific rivers will be less disturbed. Ensuring environmental sustainability also ensures better food supply and poverty alleviation because there is enough water for agricultural production ( Kopnina, H., 2014) . Less food production leads to more land use and therefore increased poverty levels. By the government protecting water sources, the people will easily meet their food and recreational needs.
Davenport’s article articulates with strategic thinking. The bill presented in the article provides a strategy by the U.S government in towards achieving environmental strategy by adding more land to be under protection. In strategic thinking, there are procedures that are laid down towards achieving a goal such that addressing problems that arise is proactive ( Press, A., 2019, February 13) . The article also connects with the future thinking. As Davenport reports, the U.S Congress usually renewed public lands policy for a few years. This seemingly brought a problem because after the cycle completion there would be a period of no funding until the Congress renews it again ( Kopnina, H., 2014) . However, Davenport’s article is not exploring any problems that could arise in the future following the implementation of the bill if it becomes law after being passed by the House of Representatives. Moreover, from the article, systems thinking is evident. For instance, companies that drill oil from the oceans will be required to fund onshore environmental protection programs. Such implies how environmental matters are interlinked.
The information we get from Davenport’s article reinforces our knowledge of sustainability science. For instance, from class work, we have learned various modes of sustainability thinking which include future, strategic, systems and values thinking ( Press, A., 2019, February 13) . These modes of thinking are evident in the article. For example, the Senate coming up with legislation for permanent funding of environmental conservation programs is a typical systems thinking.
References
Davenport, C. (2019, February 12). Senate Passes a Sweeping Land Conservation Bill. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/climate/senate-conservation-bill.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/climate
Kopnina, H. (2014). Sustainability in environmental education: new strategic thinking. Environment, Development and Sustainability , 17 (5), 987-1002. doi:10.1007/s10668-014-9584-z
Press, A. (2019, February 13). US Senate Backs Major Public Lands, Conservation Bill. Retrieved from https://www.voanews.com/a/us-senate-backs-major-public-lands-conservation-bill/4784593.html
