Environment Flashcards
What is decolonization?
The process of decolonization isa process of healing and moving away from a place of anger, loss, and grief toward a place where Indigenous Peoples can thrive.
It changes the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples; ending settlers effect on: government, ideologies, religion, culture, education.
It requires an understanding from Canadians that our country was built on the displacement, the colonization of Indigenous Peoples.
What is indigenization?
“Culturally responsive curriculum and pedagogy”; acknowledging the invisibility of Indigenous Peoples and their knowledge within an institutional framework; recognizing and valuing Indigenous worldviews, culture– their way of knowing, being, doing; the sharing of Indigenous knowledge, stories, perspectives in the education system
What is reconciliation?
“Reconciliation is an ongoing process through which Indigenous peoples and the Crown work cooperatively to establish and maintain a mutually respectful framework for living together, with a view to fostering strong, healthy, and sustainable Indigenous nations within a strong Canada.”
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – in 2015, 94 Calls to Action
“actionable policy recommendations meant to aid the healing process in two ways: acknowledging the full, horrifying history of the residential schools system, and creating systems to prevent these abuses from ever happening again in the future.”
What is “Guardienship of the Land”?
Indiginious communties maintain the connection to the land. Through their cultural practices we can gain better insight on how to protect the earth and negate the effects of Climate Change. They need to be recognized as key players in the fight against Climate stabalization and put into leadership roles.
Indigenious world vs western world views
Indigenous world vs Western views part 2
Stress reduction hypothesis
Spending time in nature triggers a physiological response that lowers stress levels (downregulates the HPA axis)
Biophilia hypothesis
Humans have an innate, ancestral connection to the land, and reliance on the land for survival
Attention restoration theory
Nature restores our mental processes, our ability to concentrate and pay attention
Benifits of nature
-Increase endorphins levels and dopamine production
-Lowered blood pressure and reduced cortisol.
-Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, increased feelings of calmness
-Restores capacity for concentration and attention/learning.
-Reduces feelings of isolation.
-Greater sense of purpose
-More generouse, kind with others
What is the “awe” effect of nature?
Feeling that we are part of something much bigger than us
Sensory efffects of Ecophysiology…
What are Phytoncides
-Anti-fungal/bacterial release from plant life.
-Potentially help with lung related issues.
-End up within the bloodstream that help to activate and improved immune response.
What are negative air ions?
Negative charged air particles that tend to benifit the body. In areas near water.
Antioxident property when breathed into the body.
May help oxygen dilivery to the brain.
Microorganisms (Mycobacterium vaccae)
A bacteria that can be in the air or soil. They can help change the saratonin levels in the body (Increase)
How many hours a week should you be in nature to recieve its benifits?
At least 120 minutes. Does not have to be all together.
What are some ways that where you live affects your overall health?
What are urban forests?
Urban forests (UF) are a part of an area’s green infastructure (natural or man-aged spaces including fields, parks, bodies of water)
UF and biodiversity predicts the level of ecosystem services an area receives…
-financial: property values, tourists and shops,
-socioemotional: safety, community cohesion,
-physical/mental health: level of adiposity, mortality risk, mental illness
-global warming: urban heat island
What are potential benifits of having learning envirnments in schools that include time in the outdoors?
-learning environments in schools that include time in the outdoorswhereM. vaccaeis present may decrease anxiety and improve the ability to learn new tasks
How can nature potentially be benificial to people suffering from loneliness or social isolation?
Nature might help to buffer the effects of loneliness or social isolation: people with low social connectedness had high levels of nearby nature, they reported high levels of wellbeing
What is environmental racism?
It is the disproportionate siting or location of toxic industries in communities of [People of ] Colour, Indigenous and the working poor…lacking in access and political resources…voiceless.
What are the effects of climate change on health?
What are heat domes?
Heat domes:
Longer duration of heat waves at higher temperatures, with less decrease of evening temperatures. In the past, they would last a couple of days. Present-future 7+days at hotter temperatures.
What is an Urban Heat Island?
Urban heat island is a concentrated area within a city with more condensed buildings, more pavement, less vegetation. Temperature is warmer than outlying rural areas. It can be 3-10 degrees warmer in ”core” of the city centre vs suburban/rural areas
What is a 15-min city?
Six basicsocial functionsthat occur close to one’s home:
Living,
Working
Commerce
Healthcare
Education
Entertainment
What are the benefits of a 15-min city?
Increased physical activityfrom active transportation opportunities leading to health benefits andpreventionof chronic diseases.
Increasedsocial connectionswhere residents are more likely to know their neighbours, trust others and participate in community life.
Improved street safety andreduced injuryfrom more pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, andslowertraffic speed. Improved independence for seniors, children, and people with disabilities if developed with an inclusion lens.
Increased neighbourhoodsatisfactionand liveabilityfrom improved access to amenities and public transportation in mixed-use neighbourhoods.
Increasedeconomic activityin mixed-use neighbourhoods.
Improved sustainabilityfrom reduced vehicle use, reducingcarbon emissionsbenefiting air quality.
