CCT434Week3


 * Lesson 3 In Class Assignment 1: 30 minutes **


 * Answer the following questions: **


 * 1. Review the web site, the XClinic at http://www.environmentalhealthclinic.net/ What is the goal of the XClinic for impatients? **

XClinic allows environmental health concerns to become visible to individuals and the public. These programs allow individuals to visualize their actions and take part in programs such as “No Park” the fire hydrant no parking zone rehabilitation in which those involved can remove the transparency of their actions. The programs allow the actions of activists to become more attainable and the impatients are able to make a difference on a local level.


 * 2. According to the TedX video about Natalie Jeremijenko, “The Art of the Eco Mindshift” at [] describe her philosophy as a ‘design activist’. Write two full paragraphs on her position as an activist and scientist in relation to her design methodology. **


 * The interactive script beside the movie is very helpful to reference, as what she is saying is so dense. **

Natalie Jeremijenko maintains an interesting activist position as she has designed organizations and programs that involve and actively inform individuals on imperitive topics. Jeremijenko utilizes healthcare, of interest to most if not all people, as the focus of environmental concern in order to create a personal association. By partaking in a strange experiment involving the sampling of mice in a person’s living quarters, the extreme impact of environmental stressors becomes blatantly obvious. Although the concepts that Natalie discusses are quite heavy, the acts she requests are not unattainable. The idea of “re-scripting” our interactions and instilling a consciousness of our actions is the least of what the individual can do. Her design activism and decision to create visuals enable the digestion of the large issues at hand, all while maintaining a certain humour and cleverness that removes potential contentiousness in her approach.


 * 4. Review How Stuff is Made at [] **
 *  and the online FAQs it has for the student submissions at [] **
 *  of objects. Do you think that you would be able to participate in this project by having access to manufacturers? Do you foresee any problems with a visual essay? Please let me know by email through wiki of your response to this question. **

I have found that as a University student, acquiring access to an industrial site is quite possible, especially with internal connections via academic networking (Professor Dan Schulze among others). I am currently taking an earth science course (ERS319: Earth Resources) that includes weekly field trips to local industrial sites. Throughout the semester, I will be exposed to practices of earth resource extraction and the manufacturing of these materials into consumer goods. However, there is a fine line in the ability to have access to these manufacturers considering the nature of this project. The potential for exposing environmental concerns and faulty practices causes ethical conflict as it would be an abuse of the privileges I am being offered. Another concern would be the use of photography as I am not aware of each company’s policies. That being said, the project would be very interesting and the hands-on aspect would be very beneficial.

This upcoming Tuesday (September 27th) our class will be touring the Dufferin Acton Quarry ([]) with the potential of witnessing a blast. I feel as though it may be too short of a time span to receive permission to document the trip for the project; however, the location of the tour is very relevant as quarries immensely impact the environment in a negative way. If you feel that an opportunity like this would be effective, I could discuss the idea with my professor and also receive leads to facilities that would be willing to participate in the HSIM publication.

If not for the visual essay project, the object which I would like to consider redesigning is the hard hat. Personal research has lead to me to believe that for as much consideration that has been put into sustainable building materials, the safety equipment itself does not reflect these procedures. To my knowledge, hard hats are not recyclable and it is suggested that they are replaced every 2-3 years. I have uploaded my life cycle analysis to my wiki if you could provide feedback as to if I am on the right track. (http://kellykornet.wikispaces.com/file/view/MoreEfficientObject.pdf)


 * 5. The central debate regarding water is water a commodity to be bought, sold and privatized, like Coca Cola or is it a human right? What does the movie “Blue Gold: The Water Wars” posit in this regard? This question will become central to our society in the next twenty years. **

//Blue Gold: The Water Wars// exemplifies the growing trend of privatization of a resource human survival depends on. With decreasing supplies, especially at the national level, humanity is being pushed further down on the list of priorities; use of scare tactics and manipulation of supplies for “economic and political gain” are prevailing. The documentary reveals the strategic actions of corporations to monopolize the possession of water in the worst interest of the public.


 * 6. Write a one-paragraph biography of Maude Barlow. **

Maude Barlow is a Canadian author and activist known for her participation her involvement with the Food and Water Watch, World Future Council, Blue Gold: World Water Wars, and her national position with The Council of Canadians. Barlow has been very influential in voicing Canadian advocacy issues with a special interest in the human right to international drinking water accessibility. Maude Barlow has received numerous awards for her efforts and has both produced and served as a feature in many publications.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12px;">7. What UN Resolution did Maude Barlow work on to have passed in relation to water? Why is this resolution so monumental? **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In July of 2010, Maude Barlow addressed all members of the UN to support an initiative concerning “the human right to water and sanitation.” Barlow called upon members to take into consideration the magnitude of the issue at hand, stating “ the lack of access to clean water is the greatest human rights violation in the world,” (Letters, UN Missions, 06/07/2010). The initiative was lead by Barlow and pertained to her position as the first Senior Advisor on Water to the 63rd President of the UN General Assembly. This resolution was so monumental because it had never been addressed to the General Assembly until now at a time when the resource is slipping from the hands of nationalization at an alarming rate. The issue in and of itself is monumental and it is a very crucial step forward for it to finally be recognized at an international level by world leaders as opposed to corporate decision-makers. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">_