Students and faculty gathered in the Presidents Dining Room on Sept. 22 to hear Bob Neher, biology professor and newly named interim provost and vice president of academic affairs, discuss environmental problems facing society in the 21st century.
The running theme throughout the informal lecture and discussion was the need for an interdisciplinary effort to achieve the earth’s sustainability.
“Everything is interconnected,” Neher said. “When I tug a part of nature, everything else moves.”
Like nature, all people are connected by the simple fact that all people share one earth; the biosphere is tiny in comparison to the rest of our galaxy. It is also the only environment that can support humans and life. Roughly, the biosphere extends eight miles above and below sea level. Because the space is so small for such a great amount of people, the environment is fragile, he said.
“We either have to adapt or die,” Neher said.
Humans have four basic needs: water, space, air and energy.
The fact that humans are rapidly using many of the earth’s resources, such as oil, means that humans need to find a new way of living, or they will run out of resources to meet basic needs.
Diminishing resources are not only problems for humans.
He also mentioned the increasing hole in the earth’s ozone level. Humans can be proactive in preventing skin cancer by wearing sunglasses and sunblock.
“But what about the eyes of animals?” Neher asked.
Everything is interconnected.
Increasing population looms over the future of the earth with 200,000 people being born every day. How can the earth support this increasing population?
One demand working against the earth’s sustainability is war.
“War is totally incompatible to this concept of sustainability,” Neher said.
“There’s nothing that wastes our resources more than war,” he added.
Students thought the talk was insightful and productive.
“It was cool to see all my teachers go at it,” said Joyce De Leon, sophomore biology major. “My chemistry, my biology and even my calculus teacher was there, and it’s interesting to see how different disciplines can come together to discuss important issues.”
There are many ways to be less harmful to the environment. Eating less meat conserves a wealth of resources.
Carpooling, using public transportation or avoiding the use of a car saves oil, money and the quality of air.
Having a limited number of children will help control population growth.
“The problem was that he was really preaching to the choir,” said Irene Beltran, a double major in Spanish and peace studies. “The people who show up are already concerned.”
The talk ended with a discussion, mainly between faculty and staff.
“It’s a lack of vision,” said Iraj Parchamazad, chemistry professor. “People are only concerned with today.”
Despite different views, all agreed that as a society, individuals must choose to support a sustainable planet.
It’s not just a problem for science; it’s a problem for everyone.
“This interdisciplinary approach is great,” Neher said. “It’s what we have to do. We can’t do it by ourselves.”
Stephanie Duarte can be reached at duartes@ulv.edu.
