Student reflection on historical "Jerusalem Projects"
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Module 9 Relational Summary
After completing the readings and watching this week’s lecture on the Ecological West, there are three topics that stood out the most to me. These are the Jerusalem Project, civilizations collapse due to environmental degradation, Hot Springs (geothermal energy as a drawdown solution.
Firstly, “The Jerusalem Project” is tied to the belief that American settlers had that climate change could be beneficial. Early American settler aspired to amass great wealth through agricultural productivity just like England. They wanted to transform America into a new version of England’s green and pleasant land. Because of this belief Dr. Culhane explained in the lecture how historical figures like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson believed that clearing forests and draining wetlands would improve the climate of North America and make it more similar to England. “The Jerusalem Project” in the lecture contrast’s greatly to the “true”, “Jerusalem Project” that took place in 9th century BCE. According to Editors of ScienceNewsToday (2025), more than 2,800 years ago, the people of Jerusalem lived in a much harsher and less predictable environment than most of us experience today. Climate conditions were often extreme, with long dry periods sometimes followed by sudden flash floods that damaged farmland and washed away valuable soil. For the people of Jerusalem, these environmental changes were not just inconvenient, they posed a real threat to survival. Recognizing the danger of relying on such unstable conditions, the rulers of Judah took action by constructing the Siloam Dam. This Dam was used to redirect water from the spring into the Siloam Pool. This created a reservoir that could store water during dry periods and capture rainwater during storms. This project showed remarkable foresight and innovation, allowing the city to better manage its water resources and reduce the risks associated with climate variability. The Siloam Dam stands as an example of how ancient societies responded to environmental challenges by developing practical solutions to protect their communities and not damage it (Editors of ScienceNewsToday, 2025). Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson’s concept of the Jerusalem project made me realize that limited ecological understanding in the past has shaped how we treat the land today. We have cleared forests and cleared wetlands, which are natural carbon sequestration agents This has influenced the challenges we currently face with the climate today. We should take notes from the 9th century Jerusalem Project and implement solutions that can protect our communities and not damage it.
Secondly, another topic that stood out to me from the lecture was the discussion about how civilizations collapse due to environmental degradation. The lecture referenced scholars who argued that societies often destroy the natural systems that support them, which eventually leads to their downfall. This reminded me of the Dust Bowl in the United States, where poor agricultural practices destroyed soil and created massive dust storms. It also made me think about modern agriculture, which sometimes relies heavily on fertilizers, pesticides, and fossil fuels. I found this particularly important because it highlights the connection between environmental sustainability and long-term societal stability. These unsustainable environmental sustainability practices were also emphasized by the shifting of the Mayan Civilization from Mayan Breadnut tree to intensive corn agriculture. In the lecture it was emphasized that the ancient Maya civilizations once relied on trees for food, especially the breadnut tree. This was before they shifted to intensive corn agriculture. The idea that cutting down forests and over-relying on corn agriculture contributed to climate change and the decline of their civilization made a strong impression on me. I found it powerful that Dr. Culhane emphasized the phrase “soil is life.” That idea connects directly to sustainable agriculture today, especially practices that restore soil health rather than depleting it.
Thirdly, “Hot Springs” (Geothermal energy) piqued my interest. This specifically has to do with the example of hot springs being used to produce electricity. I thought it was fascinating that natural heat from the Earth can be used as a clean and renewable energy source. Dr. Culhane described geothermal systems in places like Iceland and Alaska. The hot springs can generate electricity and provide heating. This is definitely a drawdown solution that works. According to Edghill (2026) by 2050, expanding geothermal energy could prevent more than 500 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector and about 1,250 million metric tons from heating and cooling. Geothermal energy is reliable source that can be used to fight climate change. Geothermal systems, including geothermal heat pumps, can significantly reduce emissions compared to fossil fuel heating systems, while geothermal power plants release far fewer pollutants such as sulfur compounds and carbon dioxide than conventional power plants. Studies show that geothermal facilities can reach capacity factors as high as 95 percent, meaning they can produce energy consistently over time. Although the initial investment can be high, long-term operational costs are relatively low, and successful projects in places like Iceland and Kenya demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits. With stronger policies and continued investment in technologies such as enhanced geothermal systems, geothermal energy could become a key contributor to global clean energy goals and help support a more resilient and sustainable energy future (Kassem & Moscariello, 2025).
Overall, this lecture helped me see how history, ecology, and energy systems are deeply connected. It also made me think about the importance of learning from past mistakes so that we can develop more sustainable ways of living and producing energy in the future.
References
Editors of ScienceNewsToday. (2025, August 29). Ancient Jerusalem fought climate change with an engineering marvel hidden for 2800 years. ScienceNewsToday.
Edghill, L. (2026). Can geothermal energy fight against climate change?
Gelber, B. (2009, November 17). Ben Franklin on global warming. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/opinion/18gelber.htmlLinks to an external site.
History Channel. (n.d.). Dust Bowl. https://www.history.com/articles/dust-bowlLinks to an external site.
Kassem, M. A., & Moscariello, A. (2025). Geothermal energy: A sustainable and cost-effective alternative for clean energy production and climate change mitigation. Sustainable Futures, 10, 101247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101247
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