Sustainable Societies - Research Paper Example

Introduction The focus of this writing assignment is on sustainable societies. In order to fully understand this project, it is first essential toknow what sustainable societies are, particularly since they have been the focus of the textbook and the course in general. Sustainable can be defined as, “able to be sustained” or “able to be sustained for an indefinite period without damaging the environment, or without depleting a resource; renewable” (Wiktionary, 2008). Societies (or society as it appears in singular form) can be defined as, “A long-standing group of people sharing cultural aspects such as language, dress, norms of behavior and artistic forms; a group of people who meet from time to time to engage in a common interest; the sum total of all voluntary interrelations between individuals; the people of one’s country or community taken as a whole; high society; or a number of people joined by mutual consent to deliberate, determine and act a common goal” (Wiktionary, 2008). It is equally as important to understand the scenario of this project, which is called the Genesis Project. It is given that: You are in charge of a group of scientists who have crash landed on another planet. All your gear has been destroyed during a crash landing. The only chance for survival for the society is to survive using your wits and the resources available for you until the next ship arrives in 100 years. To do this, you will have to use your resources wisely, and sustainably. It is also given that, 100 years ago, the crew in the Genesis project—which consisted of 99 individuals—was awakened to find out that their supply ship that was supposed to accompany them on the mission was destroyed. They had to land their ship on the destination planet, there is not enough energy for them to return to earth, and now they are being forced to make do with what they have until the next ship arrives in 100 years. Obviously, very little or none of the original population will still be around when that time arrives, but their children and other descendants will be if the crew takes care of their immediate and long-standing needs appropriately. The crew has located a small island on the planet that is heavily vegetated and capable of sustaining life. Temperatures range from -10 to 100 degrees F and there is a small freshwater lake available at the summit of a mountain. In order to scout the island for possible supplies, the crew has been broken up into teams, each with a particular task to perform. The purpose of this paper is to discuss possible solutions for the crew with regard to water and waste treatment, food, shelter and clothing, medical needs, and reproduction/population so that their descendants will be available to greet the next transport ship that arrives in 100 years. Team 1: Water and Waste Treatment It is given that 90% of the planet’s surface is salt water, so that is obviously not suitable for drinking water. The small freshwater lake that was located near the mountain’s summit, however, will be. It is also given that: The small, fresh water lake is going to be the primary source of fresh water. Some fresh water may be collected during rainstorms. This team’s main goal will be to ensure that the lake is protected from contamination. Therefore, Team One’s secondary goal is to come up with a suitable location for garbage and sewage disposal. The crew first thought about building their shelters right next to the lake so that it would be easily accessible. However, they have brainstormed and thought of some potential drawbacks to that idea. First of all, they do not know where to put their waste. Second, they are worried about harming the lake’s ecosystem, which is defined as “A system formed by an ecological community and its environment that functions as a unit or the interconnectedness of organisms (plants, animals, microbes) with each other and their environment” (Wiktionary, 2008). Third, they are worried that they may have to remove the fruit trees that surround the lake in order to use it properly. Fourth, they are worried that removing the trees will affect the peeps that live on the island (explained in the next section). Fifth, they are concerned that they will be surrounded by the bugs that populate the lake area. Finally, they have concerns about their children drowning in the lake. There are ways around each and every obstacle that has been named by the concerned crewmembers. First and foremost, they should build their shelter near the lake so that it is accessible by walking distance, but not right on the shore. This will prevent them from harming the lake’s ecosystem, having to remove the fruit trees (they can build paths to get to the water instead of cutting down the trees), keep them away from the bugs, and make it far less likely that any children will drown in the lake. In order to deal with their waste, they should designate certain areas to build outhouse-like structures. These structures should not be on the shoreline or directly near the lake so that their water does not become contaminated with the waste material. Food It is given that: The island is heavily vegetated. There is also a small dog-sized animal that looks like a cross between a pig and a sheep. You name it a peep. The peeps diet consists mainly of the fruit from a large tree that grows over half the island. Your survey team has also found a plant that is similar to the pea plant on Earth that is high in protein. It does not grow in large concentrations, but could be cultivated. Your main goal is to make sure everyone has enough to eat! One source of food could be the fruit trees by the lake, provided that the fruit is not harmful to the human body. It is given that the island is heavily vegetated, so the vast array of vegetables should be thoroughly checked out as far as their nutritional value and availability and especially to make sure that they are not poisonous. It is given that the crew has located a plant that is high in protein, but does not grow in large quantities. This plant needs to be cultivated. Some flat ground near the shoreline of the lake has been discovered and it has been suggested that it be cleared so that the high-protein pea plant may be grown there, plus perhaps even other types of crops. It has also been suggested that the peeps (animals that appear to be a cross between a pig and sheep) be bred for food. There are drawbacks to this scenario as well. Clearing the land near the shoreline could turn out to be extremely disastrous since numerous plants and insects that could have medicinal value live there. Breeding the peeps means that they would need a way to dispose of their waste. Once again, there are ways around these obstacles. The crew needs to scour the land some more and see if they can find suitable farmland that does not require clearing or a great deal of labor in order to be used for farmland. If they are unsuccessful, then they should choose a portion of land that has the least overall impact on the island’s ecosystem when cleared and that is somewhat nearby their shelters. The waste from the peeps could be used as fertilizer. Shelter and Clothing It is given that: There are large fruit trees that grow over half the island. There also may be some caves near the lake. There is geologic evidence of large storms and flooding near the shorelines. The peeps wool can be used for clothing. You will also need to find a way to heat the shelters and prepare for winter. Your main goal is to make sure there is protection from the weather and that everyone has clothing and shelter. Some of the trees can be harvested for building materials to construct shelters. The crew could also opt to build treehouse-like shelters or take shelter in caves, which could help to protect them from any potential flooding. They need to stay away from the shoreline for that purpose, as well as for the purposes listed in the first section. They also need to explore as much of the caves as possible to ensure that there are no dangerous life forms already taking shelter in them and that they are not located too far away from the built shelters that others have chosen to reside instead or from food or water supplies. Taking shelter in the caves can protect them from harsh temperatures since cave temperatures stay steady year round (Tribe.net, 2005). They could also try burning the peep dung for heat to see how that turns out. Medical Needs It is given that: Your survey team has cataloged over 200 species of plants that may have some medicinal uses. You will need to study these plants in detail. There are also insects in the area that may have medicinal uses. The insects may also carry diseases. Your main goal is to determine medicinal uses of these plants and insects. It may take years. Before the testing begins, it should be determined who on the island has the most expertise in botany and in medicine. Then, a team of those experts should be assigned to actually perform the testing. Since some insects and plants could be poisonous instead of beneficial, it may provide to be useful to do the testing on some of the peeps before on humans. Otherwise, they can offer incentives to crew members to volunteer to be test subjects. Reproduction and Population It is given that: Your team of scientists have determined after running several scenarios that under the best conditions, the island can support a population of 150 people. Currently, you have no form of birth control except abstinence. The average age of your population is 24 with equal amounts of men and women. If each couple has one offspring, you will reach maximum capacity for the island within a short time period. Your main goal is to keep the population for the next 100 years under 150 people. This is probably going to be the most challenging of all the feats because it will have to be based solely on rules. It wouldn’t be that big of a deal on Earth for obvious reasons, but on the tiny little island it is a completely different story. As such, the group should collectively come up with a policy similar to the criminal justice systems used on Earth in order to help ensure everyone stays in line. Couples who disobey the policy will absolutely have to be punished in order to deter others from following the same path. Discussion The most basic needs of the crewmembers are listed and discussed above, but the list is not all-inclusive. A better-rounded look at the needs of the crewmembers can be realized by taking a look at a model such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. (Srenson, 2008) Looking at the above diagram showing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, one can easily see that the aforementioned needs only cover the bottom tear: the physiological needs (food, water, shelter, and clothing). That still leaves security needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, and the need for self-actualization. The people on the island can have all the food, shelter, water, and clothing that they could possibly want and still live a miserable existence because their other needs are not being met. As far as security, people have “the basic need for social security in a family and a society that protects against hunger and violence” (Srensen, 2008) A possible solution to this would be designation a special force of people to look out for the good of others, similar to a police force. A potential problem could be finding people that are trustworthy. As far as love and belonging needs, people have “the need for belonging, to receive and give love, appreciation, and friendship” (Srensen, 2008). A potential solution to this would be to organize social gatherings and to encourage friendships. A potential problem could be finding a way to do this considering the hard shock that the crewmembers have just been through. As far as esteem needs, people have “the need to be a unique individual with self-respect and to enjoy general esteem from others” (Srensen, 2008). This could be achieved by everyone making an effort to make everyone else feel appreciated and as if they belong. This is bound to be very challenging considering that everyone is going to have an incredibly hard time adjusting to the new environment at first. As far as the need for self-actualization, people have the need to “experience purpose, meaning, and realizing all inner potential” (Srensen, 2008). This will be the most difficult need to address of all simply because of the environment. Conclusion Being stranded on a foreign planet would be a very difficult experience to adjust to. However, with a little effort and hard work from everyone involved, basic needs can be met. However, it’s going to take quite a bit more to meet all the needs of the stranded individuals. Each and every action these people take will be observed by their children who will greatly impact future generations. The whole process will also impact future generations in the form of knowledge and experience. References Ecosystem. (2008). Wiktionary. Retrieved February 11, 2008, from http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ecosystem Living in caves. (2005). Tribe.net. Retrieved February 11, 2008, from http://nontraditionalhousing.tribe.net/thread/d5187b62-7a6b-4792-86d2-35eef5e5bc80 Societies. (2008). Wiktionary. Retrieved February 11, 2008, from http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/society Srensen, K. (2008). Psychosynthesis: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and subpersonality work. Two, Not 2.org. Retrieved February 11, 2008, from http://two.not2.org/psychosynthesis/articles/maslow.htm Sustainable. (2008). Wiktionary. Retrieved February 11, 2008, from http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sustainable Read More