Overall, this course has increased my awareness of nature and the effects my behavior has on the environment. Not only have I learned the points of view of major ecologists, but I have acquired the knowledge to at least NOTICE my behavior in regards to animals and the earth. I used to be okay with throwing away paper and not using the backs of pages and throwing the occasional piece of trash on the ground. Now, however, I realize that my selfishness affects species that cannot speak for themselves. I recently found myself criticising a friend of mine for throwing a plastic cup on the ground after dumping the juice out of it. I made her pick it up and throw it in the trash can. At work, I have set up a paper recycling can and I have decided to take the old ink toners from the printers to be reused rather than just throwing them away. This is a big step for me considering I would have done the same thing a few months ago without thinking twice and now here I am throwing out my opinion for someone to catch on to. I'm not bragging about my efforts by any means, I'm just excited that a class based on 3 books we have read had this much of an impact on me. I know that I am no longer above nature and that I need to make the living conditions for other species just as accommodating as my own to the extent possible.