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Abner Bogan English 201 Mr. Mammen Essay #1 Americas Land Ethic As described by its title, Aldo Leopolds The Land Ethic serves to steer societies into good relations with the environment. Ultimately, this is achieved by a complete change in perspective; humans today have built up a superiority complex that put us on a pedestal over most all other living organisms. Leopold, on the other hand, views the land as a fountain of energy, coming from even the smallest of organisms. In that, he also makes clear that the absence of any of these systems would be a detriment to the circle of life. This is a truism that has been neglected time and time again throughout modern human history. We as humans are only beginning to truly value this notion, as a result of all of our past mistakes. With that said, it is no surprise that being green is so emphasized in todays world, particularly in the United States. America is becoming an envisionment of The Land Ethic. Along those lines is the notion of preservation. Truth be told - the concept of preservation goes far beyond ethical values. While studying alternative fuels as a student of engineering, decision matrices were made to determine the overall viability of a raw material as a source of energy (i.e., biofuel from algae, coal/synfuel, etc.). A key component of this matrix was the sustainability column. Unless the material were to be an unlimited natural resource, we were to find the effective lifetime of the material taking into account the rate of consumption, available resources, and percent efficiency. The results were staggering, showing that some of todays major resources would be used up within five generations. One can only ask how we

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came to be in such a position to be this concerned about depleting Earths natural wealth. As Leopold stated, as the ethical frontier advances from the individual to the community, its intellectual content increases (Leopold 30). It is quintessential for us humans to continue this realization if we are to succeed in our endeavors to keep Earths natural resources flowing. This green society is Leopolds vision coming to fruition. America is a more resourceful, conserving, and preserving place since the introduction of modern technology. As depicted in the previous paragraph, one can have good environmental relations on an intellectual basis (calculations through matrices). However, ethical values are very incorporated into this green society; the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) are a staple of good environment habits, and are thoroughly preached - particularly in the youth. As the three Rs represent the respect we have for the land, Earth Day shows the love that we have for the Earth and what it brings us. This was Leopolds goal within a society, as he found it inconceivable that an ethical relation to land can exist without love, respect, and admiration for land, and a high regard for its value (Leopold 29). Going to college has even opened my eyes to the concept of green. As a sophomore, I currently live in the newly-built Greiner Hall, a dormitory that prides itself on being a green building, meaning that it is energy and structure efficient, waste-conscious, while functioning at a high level. The technology used in this building attest to the fact that we have become more caring and respectful of the environment than ever before. The toilets run by flushing half-sided (using half the water), the lights turn on and off by means of motion, the water runs with high pressure to mimic a large water flow, and most importantly - we are all cognizant of this. Leopold would find such a situation ideal, where the new technology not only creates a more green building, but a green environment and mentality.

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In Leopolds section expounding upon the ecological conscience, he makes complaint in regard to the lack of environmental laws, using the polluting farmer as a chief example. As he describes, environmental issues were seen then as an affair that was for all intents and purposes irrelevant. Since that time, we have been able to see the build of negative effects on the environment. As a result, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) was erected, and began operation in 1970 by order of then-president Richard Nixon. The EPA is the governmental body writing and enforcing the national environmental laws, and concurrently bestowing fines or sanctions on un-abiding participants. These laws are broken up into five specific sub-sections: air, water, land, hazardous waste, and endangered species. The most recent legislation passed was the California Desert Protection Act of 2010, a bill that aims to provide for conservation, enhanced recreation opportunities, and development of renewable energy in the California Desert Conservation Area. Were he here, Leopold would be thankful for the major strides we as a country have made, on both an individual and group level. Being green is a concept that has been well embraced throughout America. As a whole, the decision matrices, green buildings, and the EPA attest to the fact that we have crossed Leopolds most serious obstacle, being the fact that our educational and economic system is headed away from, rather than toward, an intense consciousness of land (Leopold 29). With that said, it is apparent that our minds (through education and research) and money (through technology and architecture), are now wellgrounded into the environment. This, in itself is a prime example in Americas history of turning a detriment into an asset. Though Leopold was not able to live to see the beginnings of his legacy, his name will not be forgotten as one of the true pioneers.

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