Evolution of My Ethic

Before taking any wildlife classes here at Clemson University I never really took my ethic into consideration. To completely honest I don’t think I even had an ethic that I can think of. From the time I was old enough to shoot a gun I would take backyard “hunting” trips and shoot at anything that moved with no regard to seasons or regulations. I knew the wildlife was important and I grew to appreciate my surrounds a little more every year older. Before I knew it was a serious problem I would probably have fallen into my hunting partners’ point of view, that ever famous whack’em and stack’em. I would have been all for pouring pounds of corn by the hundreds to take down a deer with little effort or fair chase in the laziest fashion, or pile corn for turkeys in April to assure a tom for that season. I hated fishing regulations (number and size limits). I saw nothing wrong with baiting a dove field or blasting them out of the skies by with 20+ per day and hiding a bag of my kill in the woods so not to get caught by DNR. I took no account of my actions. Looking back at my “ethic” I have to say that I was in a pretty crummy condition before here at Clemson. The new me and my new ethic is now ashamed of what I used to be. I whole heartedly believe in fair chase and equal opportunity for the hunt. I respect the wildlife and the land unlike ever before. I am willing to voice my ethic and put to shame anyone who thinks they can contest against any regulation or are above any law with the knowledge I have gained from the lectures of some of the best professors in this field.

Invasive Invasion

Armored Catfish

This article is an example of a reoccurring problem that many places face. This species of catfish is one that out grew it aquarium in a suburban home and instead of disposing of it properly it was dumped into a local river. Now this non-native and invasive species is causing severe damage to local water basins in Florida. Much like the pythons in Florida this is all because someone grew tired of their "exotic" pet. I feel that there needs to be policy in affect to prevent such things from happening. I realize it would be hard to enforce restrictions of buying or selling of these invasive species but I think that anyone who buys such an animal should be put on a list that keeps track of their use of that animal and that they do not improperly dispose of the animal and introduce them into our water systems. Non-native species are a huge threat to our environment and our native species. 

World Wide Energy Crisis

India Struggles to Deliver Electricity for Growth
In this article the author discusses how India is finding hardships in keeping up with the population explosion it is facing in this day and time. This is a common issue that many developing countries are facing due to a rapid growth in human population and very limited resources. As human beings we need to be more aware of our impact on the earth as a whole. What goes on in India will also impact people in America. Our constant strain on the planet's ability to renew its resources is putting a toll on the earth that it will not be able to tolerate for very long. While the point of this article is on India's attempt to keep up with it's growth I take this as a more global issue because we are putting too much stress on the planet. I know that is easy for me to say while I sit in my air conditioned house in summer or heated in winter watching my favorite tv show after a days work and other countries are struggling to even get a decent meal everyday or week, but what I take from this is the planet as a whole needs to come together on this matter and make a unified effort to solve these issues.