Journal 2: Nature Deficit Disorder (Louv), Restorative Environment (Orr)

(Photo: Tara Lukasik)

What did you learn from the readings and group presentations on Louv and Orr?

    Ultimately, I learned that the environment and human's relationship to it is a lot more important than thinking the sunsets are pretty or animals are cute.  From what I've seen, people are either 'indoor' or 'outdoor' people in that in one's free time, they would either like to stay inside and watch Netflix or spend some time in the fresh air.  Academically, this distaste for the environment is called 'biophobia', while the opposite affinity is 'biophilia'.  From the readings, it opened my eyes to the science behind each term and backed up each claim with hard facts.

    The most eye opening presentations for me were the ones that discussed ADHD and some environmental factors that either enhance or scale back ADHD. "Studies suggest that nature may be useful as therapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), used with or, when appropriate, even replacing medication or behavioral therapies." (Louv 2) As a kid, I was always encouraged to go outside and ride my bike or go in the pool or play soccer or catch love bugs or do something to get me out of the house. I also tend to think that I have a strong sense of focus and am not easily distracted.  That being said, I tend to 'recharge my batteries' when I go to the beach or sit outside on the neighbor's dock and watch the breathtaking Florida sunrises. Likewise, when I get angry or stressed out, an outdoor run is helpful to me in calming down or releasing some frustration.  However, with the advent and inundation of technology in kids' lives from even Day 1, I don't believe they get the chance to explore what's outside and what the environment has to offer them; they are just stuck in front of a screen or cooped up in a classroom in order to 'get ahead'.  I feel like as a society we are so motivated to be the 'first' in say education or growth or whatever that we lack the enjoyment of the journey and therefore put the simplest things, such as going outside, on the back burner.

    The other point I found interesting particularly from my group's readings is Orr's comment concerning the Ik people. A tribe in northern Uganda was traditionally a gentle and environmentally conscious group of people, but once they were "forcibly moved from its traditional hunting grounds in a tiny reserve, their world, as Colin Turnbull (1972) expressed it, 'became something cruel and hostile', and they 'lost whatever love they might once have had for their mountain world' (pp. 256, 259)." (Orr, 196) I can only imagine how heartbreaking it must be to have your entire world, literally, ripped away from you one day.  If someone were to tell me I could no longer spend a day on Sanibel for the rest of my life, I'd be furious; I can only fathom that this dissatisfaction would be magnified 1000x if it was my entire way of life. Orr continues on to remark that like other relationships, our connection to life and therefore love and the environment are fragile and who knows if they're easily repairable, much less repairable at all.

(Photo: Lauren Lukasik)

How can your learning be applied in real life? Use specific examples.

    As an environmental engineer, while I love the logic and orderliness of mathematical calculations and the such, I wish that people could understand more fully the importance their surroundings has on their everyday tasks; from washing their hands, to turning on a light switch, to having clean water to drink, to being able to fly cross country at the drop of a pin, to the manufacturing of their precious cell phones--everything we do concerns the environment in some way. People's shock or refusal to believe this baffles me.

    I am a people person; I enjoy talking and teaching others and I love a personal, human connection.  As an engineer, I love solutions.  If I can somehow find a solution to the human issue of biophobia or even so much as a way to make biophobics acknowledge their insecurities, I would be a happy camper.  I'm not interested in creating a global revolution of the one's love for the environment, but if I could at least touch others' lives in a fraction of the way my love for the environment has touched me, I would feel as if I'm fulfilling my purpose.

    That all being said, Orr (through Jay Gould) makes an interesting observation that applies to all areas of the human experience: "We cannot win this battle...without forging an emotional bond between ourselves and nature as well--for we will not fight to save what we do not love" (Orr 197).  That remark hit me hard and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.  Efforts to convert the biophobics will be futile unless their is some way to have them feel a love for their surroundings; as with any deep, emotional connection, doing so is much easier said than done.

(Photo: Lauren Lukasik)

How does the reading about nature-deficit disorder and the restorative environment by Richard Louv and the coming of Biophilia Revolution by David Orr connect with your Sense of Place?

    The Biophilia Revolution connected with my Sense of Place in that I feel as though I am an appropriately labeled 'biophilic'.  In my favorite place, Sanibel, I feel wonder and awe as the monkeys did observing the waterfall (Orr 195); I feel respect for my surroundings and do my best to make conscientious decisions to help rather than hurt; I feel comfortable in my relationship with my surroundings.  Unlike biophobics, I have a strong connection to what's been created here and I plan to strengthen that connection throughout my whole life.  My Sense of Place is in line with the biophilia terminology and I am lucky to have the opportunity to have such.

(Photo: Lauren Lukasik)