Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jeremy Brammer, I am a 20 year old student at the University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada. I like to read, play sports, take long walks on the beach etc. etc.
Really its not too important who I am. It is what I am doing and what I represent that is more interesting. I am a young man who, along with many other individuals my age, is seriously concerned about the health of the planet. I see the symptoms all around me. The litter that clutters our streets, the undrinkable water that flows through out waterways, the cars that clog our roads, the species that well, cease to exist! Our world is changing, and it is certainly not for the better.
What concerns me most about these issues is not so much that they are happening, it is instead our collective reaction that is so troubling. When I say “our collective reaction” I mean all of us, the humans, Homo sapiens, those hairless apes that walk on two feet. We are all in this together, yet we do not seem to think that way. Our focus is centred inward: how we look, how we act, how can we be amused, how can we make more money. What concerns me so much about our collective reaction to the “external issues”, like air pollution or species loss, is that there is no reaction! We, quite frankly, do not care. At least not enough to take any serious action on the issue.
This is a matter consciousness. In the global human consciousness, environmental responsibility barely registers on the radar. But this is changing, and is certainly not insurmountable. Over the previous century we have seen many drastic changes in human consciouness. Just think, one hundred years ago women weren’t “persons”, fifty years ago smoking was the norm, twenty years ago the internet was that lining on the inside of your swimsuit. But times have changed and continue to change, and human consciousness changes as well.
That is what this trip is about. It is about changing consciousness. We are going to be seeing and hearing first hand the effects of climate change on the Arctic. We will be learning from those who are on the frontier of the scientific research in the Arctic. It promises to be quite the ride, and you are free to join us through blogs just like this one.
On a final note, consciousness changing is probably best acheived through literature. One of the most influencial authors in my life has been Dr. Seuss. I have been reading his works for longer than any other author and so I would recommend one piece that is particularly informative. It is called “The Lorax” and you can find an online version at: http://curtisvc.tripod.com/lorax/lorax.htm
Enjoy!
