Phoebe Sklansky

Account for SOC 3315: Human Ecology & Society

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@EcoSoc3315 Just 2 days ago, a new large-scale solar energy project in South Dakota (one of my states for the project) was purchased by a renewable energy company. Great to see progress being made (plus they're working with a traditional utility corp!)
https://t.co/SXYZKwU1S9

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@EcoSoc3315 From studying TN for the state project, I've learned that our state's electric utilities are run by a federally-owned corporation (as opposed to a privately-owned one). Sadly, TN is one of the least energy efficient states...time for a change, maybe?

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@naseer_nisha @EcoSoc3315 Thanks for sharing this! We've talked in class about how fast policies can change from administration to administration, so it'll be interesting to see how quickly Biden takes action. He definitely has his work cut out for him given how many rollbacks the Trump admin did

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@sarahkchappell @EcoSoc3315 @EcoSoc3315 This was a really great read. As someone who is skeptical of overly optimistic attitudes toward climate change, this was helpful in understanding the other side and seeing the great benefits that optimism can have. Here's hoping the optimists are right in this case.

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@EcoSoc3315 "The Slums of Aspen" has a similar theme to our convo on natl parks. In Aspen, nature is commodified/privatized & made accessible to those who can afford to buy in, similar to how only certain ppl can enjoy natl parks even tho they're supposed to be a public resource

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@EcoSoc3315

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

President-elect Biden's agenda for his 1st day includes rejoining the Paris climate accord! Can't believe I have to say this, but it'll be a relief to have someone who listens to scientists in office. Hope he'll take bold action to combat climate change
https://t.co/V2XxBWHM3D

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@JerryLu21 @EcoSoc3315 @EcoSoc3315 a lesser point than yours and Shalin's, but artificial light is detrimental to human health as well. on an individual level, it increases likelihood of cancer, sleep disorders, depression, etc.

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@BloomfieldCole @EcoSoc3315 @EcoSoc3315 If Biden were to win the presidency and (presumably) attempt to rejoin the Paris Accords, I wonder if other leaders would be receptive to that after the damage that has been done. Certainly, Biden/the US would have very little clout in negotiations

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@BloomfieldCole @EcoSoc3315 @EcoSoc3315 I think a Biden presidency would bode well for the EPA (no more Rick Perry types) but a Republican-controlled Senate would, unfortunately, block any renewed push towards passing a Green New Deal.

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@EcoSoc3315 While it's great to see corps making sustainability commitments, Unilever's goal of “Ensuring any adverse effects on biodiversity from agricultural activities are minimised and positive contributions are made where possible” seems vague/noncommittal. Maybe a PR move?

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@EcoSoc3315 I'm not shocked, just disappointed. The Trump admin is blocking/delaying publication of studies on the benefits of renewables, no doubt as a large result of the $$$ they receive from fossil fuel companies/their bizarre opposition to science
https://t.co/Ad0hiXA5Jh

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

I totally agree. This could explain how people have very different opinions on climate change, depending on what information and data they are presented with.

[Casey @Caseyjhamilton]

@EcoSoc3315 An important point I took from Raj Chetty's talk was how different data can be portrayed when looking from various angles. For example, when looking at decreases in consumer spending from COVID, breaking the data up according to income levels changes the picture.

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@rebeccatnewman @EcoSoc3315 I agree. The only way to fully "green" our economy is to have many virtuous actors prioritize the environment over profit/efficiency. But this is anathema to cptlsm's main aim of profit, so we may "green" to an extent, but to do so fully would be antithetical to cptlst ideology

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@EcoSoc3315

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

We talked about fast fashion and the threat it poses to the environment in class, but I think it’s useful to look at its definition, bc the industry is a lot more expansive than I thought: “cheap, trendy clothing, that samples ideas from the catwalk or celebrity culture“ (1)

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

& “turns them into garments in high street stores at breakneck speed to meet consumer demand. The idea is to get the newest styles on the market [ASAP], so shoppers can snap them up while they are still [trendy], and then...discard them after a few wears.” https://t.co/FdTh8xHEvT

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@EcoSoc3315

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

Previously when I thought of “fast fashion brands,” I’d think of Shein, NastyGal, Zaful & cheap brands like them. I didn’t realize that more reputable brands like Urban, GAP & TopShop were included too. our consumer culture is invested in this industry to a significant extent

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@EcoSoc3315

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

It’s scary how much disinformation is out there about climate change, and that climate change denial is so legitimized that it made it into the recent VP debate. We need politicians that will acknowledge & combat this threat, not ignore it.
https://t.co/kXvHR6t9MC

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@BloomfieldCole @EcoSoc3315 @sarahkchappell basically, i'm trying to say that politicians should not be the ones we look to for leadership on the climate. not sure how we reach that point, but something to aim for

[Phoebe Sklansky @PhoebeEcoSoc]

@BloomfieldCole @EcoSoc3315 @sarahkchappell I think Cole makes a good point, unfortunately. I say "unfortunately" bc it's unfortunate that climate change has been politicized/made controversial. at the end of the (ideal) day it'd be best for politicians to do little more than support/amplify the voices of climate experts