Blog #13: Estero Island Cottage & Matanzas Pass

Upon entering the Estero Island Cottage, I was amazed to see the rich history of SW Florida. The vivid pictures and historical relics helped me to visualize what I have read during the developmental stages of the early 1900s. It was a great introduction to the area before heading out into the Matanzas Pass walkway. Matanzas Pass was lush with a variety of tropical flora. It was very interesting to see that certain plants grew closer to the intercostal due to the salt water. Crossing through some parts of the pass, you could look to the left and see a variety of salt water flora, and to the right would be many different fresh water type planes. I also noticed mini crabs scurrying into their burrows as my footsteps hit the boardwalk. I still enjoyed the scenery despite the fact that there weren't many wildlife such as alligators, birds, and such like the other field trips I participated in. When I rounded the Calusa Loop, I was bombarded by mosquitoes since it was early in the morning during my visit. By coincidence I had just finished reading the chapter in the Land Remembered when the mosquitoes hatched and attacked the cattle drive. Matanzas Pass had been a relaxing walk before this, and I was happy to have experienced such a nice place. Since the time that of my childhood to the years of young adulthood I am at now, I noticed that my hometown has been experiencing somewhat of an overpopulation problem. Each year I go back there seems to be more traffic when I get off my exit into Pembroke Pines, Florida. There definitely is still a sense of community, but the overly saturated city may cause some tension between too many people. Traffic problems, over populated schools and marketplaces would cause these people to become restless overtime.

This has me thinking that if a developer offered me 300% of the market value of my childhood home to develop into condos, I would most likely take it. The need of more living places for people would outweigh any selfish means to supporting my own childhood memories. If I had to choose between selling my home for condos or to the government under the 20/20 program for 80% of market value, I would have to go for the condos due to the blatant overpopulation problem in my community. I am a firm believer for "building up" instead of splaying many living communities throughout vast amounts of acres. If there wasn't any overpopulation problem going on in my community, then I would give it up for 80% market value for conservation. My community is already a developed suburb filled with community homes, building condos instead of the single family homes seems to be the best route to take in my understanding.

Sustainable Consumerism

What is “sustainable consumerism”? Are globalization and capitalism positive or negative drivers in this phenomenon? What is greenwashing? Would you be willing to pay a premium for foods labeled “organic”, “local”, or “fair-trade”? Do you prefer to frequent mom and pop stores in downtown Ft. Myers or patronize chain stores at the Gulf Coast Town Center? What are the ramifications of your behaviors either way? Think holistically.

Sustainable consumerism is the purchasing of sustainable goods that are manufactured with the principles of environmental sustainability. I feel that globalization and capitalism are negative drivers in furthering sustainable consumerism in society. A focus on a local marketplace will help fuel the local economy, which in turn has many sustainable advantages such as: less packaging required for transportation, products do not have to travel long distances which results in less carbon emissions, and family-run farms who tend to be good stewards to their lands preservation. I already purchase organic, fair-trade foods when they have the alternative. These foods are fresh at the market, and seem to have a better quality of taste to them. Purchasing from "mom and pop" stores helps to support the local farmers and the local economy by also keeping jobs local. There are also fewer middleman in the process, and you are also able to find out more information about how your food is being grown from the source.