12. Other: Experiences, Questions, Considerations, Observations, etc. This entry allows you to choose what you want to write about or sketch. The only requirement is that it must pertain to the natural world. You can do another entry similar to any of those described above, you can tell me about an experience, you can create a picture, poem, song, or story, and the list goes on. Be creative and express yourself in a way that is meaningful to you.
Today in class, we watched a film on the genetic alteration of our food sources. These alterations promise many postive outcomes, such as faster growing crops and other positive aspects, but there are also many negative aspects as well. Corporations are taking over the farming industry, and the patenting of seed is destroying small farming as we know it. If a seed accidently winds up on a farm, they can be held accountable under law to pay the corporation that owns that seed.
I found this video on youtube that provides further information on the subject.
The video mentions that about 70% of the food that we eat today contains genetically altered ingredients. So how do we know which foods contain these altered ingredients? The thing is, we dont. They do not label altered foods. This industry is trying to convince us that the technology is our only hope, but is having a dominoe effect on the food industry.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
11. Field Trip #3 Corkscrew Swamp - During the course of the class, we will embark on off-campus field experiences. Provide a reflection of your experience for each field trip. This entry is a personal reflection that should capture how you felt, what you enjoyed, what you may not have enjoyed, etc. Impressions, feelings, ideas, what did you like about it? Would you visit Corkscrew again?
As seen in this diagram, the living machine is a self sustainable sewage system. When one uses the restrooms, the waste is sent to the aerobic tanks in order to fertalize the plants. The waste is eventually recycled and the water can be used again after being treated with cholorine.
From there, we went onto the boardwalk to explore the various enviroments that Corkscrew had to offer. We wandered throughout pine flatwoods, wet prairies, pond cypress areas, bald cypress areas, and marshy ecosystems. We saw many types of plant species, as well as animals that were native to the area such as alligators, frogs, and various types of birds. I think the most important thing that I learned from this trip was just how fragile nature really is. This whole area would not have been here if it had not been for the efforts of the Audubon Society to protect the area. This preservation could have been a Walmart. We need to make sure that we protect our environment and help the surrounding ecosystems in our areas, and not let them go to waste.
On our field trip today we visited Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples, Florida. This protected wetlend was originally established in order to protect the slowly depleting supply of Bald Cypress trees in the area, as well Pond Cypress, that were being logged from the area during the 1940 and 50's. The National Audubon Society stepped in in order to protect the area, and created a boardwalk that would take visitors on a tour of the natural surroundings of the area.
When we arrived at the area, there were reporters on site from the Audubon Society to discuss how we think taking the bus to the site as an alternative to us all driving there is positively affecting the students and the environment. As some students were beign interviewed, we moved on to the first stop on the tour, which was a place called "The living Machine".
As seen in this diagram, the living machine is a self sustainable sewage system. When one uses the restrooms, the waste is sent to the aerobic tanks in order to fertalize the plants. The waste is eventually recycled and the water can be used again after being treated with cholorine.
From there, we went onto the boardwalk to explore the various enviroments that Corkscrew had to offer. We wandered throughout pine flatwoods, wet prairies, pond cypress areas, bald cypress areas, and marshy ecosystems. We saw many types of plant species, as well as animals that were native to the area such as alligators, frogs, and various types of birds. I think the most important thing that I learned from this trip was just how fragile nature really is. This whole area would not have been here if it had not been for the efforts of the Audubon Society to protect the area. This preservation could have been a Walmart. We need to make sure that we protect our environment and help the surrounding ecosystems in our areas, and not let them go to waste.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
10. State of the World Impressions – You will be presenting a chapter in State of the World to the class. We will cover the book during the presentations from your classmates. What three issues presented made an impact on you and why?
The chapter that we discussed was on different types of ways to build a low carbon economy. One of the things I learned from this chapter is that coal powered plants are horrible for the environment. Nearly 121 coal plants have been proposed to be built within the next few years, and these could produce nearly 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide over the next 60 years. Another thing I learned was even more shocking. Over in China, they are building just as many coal plants EVERY YEAR. This is absolutly shocking. If we are going to change the way we do things, this is a very important place to start. We can not be out putting this much carbon into our atmosphere. As well, we learned about the benefits of wind power. I believe that this is a much better alternative to solar panels, and should be incorporated into society every where. Before seeing this presentation, I was not sold on the idea, but I really think we should start taking down our old plants and replacing them with wind turbines.
The chapter that we discussed was on different types of ways to build a low carbon economy. One of the things I learned from this chapter is that coal powered plants are horrible for the environment. Nearly 121 coal plants have been proposed to be built within the next few years, and these could produce nearly 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide over the next 60 years. Another thing I learned was even more shocking. Over in China, they are building just as many coal plants EVERY YEAR. This is absolutly shocking. If we are going to change the way we do things, this is a very important place to start. We can not be out putting this much carbon into our atmosphere. As well, we learned about the benefits of wind power. I believe that this is a much better alternative to solar panels, and should be incorporated into society every where. Before seeing this presentation, I was not sold on the idea, but I really think we should start taking down our old plants and replacing them with wind turbines.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Food Intake: For 24 hours, list each item of food and drink and how much of it that you consume, including water. Indicate whether it is purchased, pre-made (eg, from the cafeteria, McDonalds, Subway, etc.) or whether you “put it together” yourself. USING THE INTERNET OR OTHER SOURCE, ESTIMATE YOUR TOTAL CALORIC INTAKE FOR THE DAY. Indicate which source you used. Reflect on this amount. Where does your food come from? How much energy and water was used to produce your food? Are your food choices sustainable?
1. Mcdonalds. Small fry, snack wrap, drink.
total calories: 700
2. Twix candy bar
total calories: 300
3. Coke
total calories: 110
Total Calorie Intake : 1110
All the food I consumed today came from an outside source. Most of it was manufactured within a factory, and I imagine used a great deal of energy and water to produce each of these products. My food choices certainly are not sustainable. If I were to eat sustainable food, I would probably goto a local farmers market and buy some fresh vegtables to make a salad with, and some fruit to go on the side.
1. Mcdonalds. Small fry, snack wrap, drink.
total calories: 700
2. Twix candy bar
total calories: 300
3. Coke
total calories: 110
Total Calorie Intake : 1110
All the food I consumed today came from an outside source. Most of it was manufactured within a factory, and I imagine used a great deal of energy and water to produce each of these products. My food choices certainly are not sustainable. If I were to eat sustainable food, I would probably goto a local farmers market and buy some fresh vegtables to make a salad with, and some fruit to go on the side.
Monday, February 2, 2009
8. Water Rights Reflection Practically every aspect of our lives is influenced in one way or another by fresh water. It’s a precious resource that can be abundant in certain places and at certain times, but one that can also be fatally scarce. Certain plants and animals have evolved over time to be able to withstand periods of prolonged drought. Humans, however, have not developed these adaptations and require fresh water on a daily basis for survival. Demands on local and global water supplies continue to increase in the face of excessive consumption and population growth resulting in water shortages and difficulty in accessing fresh, clean, water to meet human needs. The legendary oilman, T. Boon Pickens, whose name you might recognize from the recent announcement of his plan to install wind turbines throughout the Great Plains in an effort to make America less dependent on foreign oil, thinks he has a solution. His plan is to pipe water from an ancient aquifer beneath Texas to thirsty cities such as Dallas, a plan that is not without controversy. Learn more about his proposal and the controversy surrounding it by reading the article from BuisnessWeek entitled There Will Be Water (posted on ANGEL). For your reflection, consider the following: Should a single person or entity have rights to water that flows beneath common ground such that they are able to capture and divert the water to sell for a profit? Why or why not? In what ways might a project such as this impact the local residents? In what ways might a project like this impact the local wildlife? If his plan is rejected, what are some alternative solutions to the water shortages for residents in cities such as Dallas? Is there potential for a situation like this to arise in Florida? Explain.
On a moral scale, no certain person owns that land, or the water that flows beneath it. It belongs to the Earth, and it is there for us to use. Now, in todays society, that would not fly. In reality, that long belongs to an individual, and that individual can dictate what they want to do with the resources that are on that land. I do not believe it is morally right for one to claim the water as theirs, and claim it as profit, but in the grand scheme of things today, it is not wrong to do so if one owns the land. The local residents could not benefit from that aquifer. What if the local area started running dry? would they pipe water in from a different area? This could create a dominoe effect crippling various areas until there is nothign left. Water restrictions are not nearly as strict as they should be. Possibly imposing stricter rules on water usage, and increasing the penalties for breaking them would convince some people to actually follow them. As well, there are always opportunities to cut back on usage. There certainly is potential for this to happen in florida. What if we damage the flow of the aquifers, and an area would no longer be recieveing fresh water? they would have to do the same thing as this person is imposing.
On a moral scale, no certain person owns that land, or the water that flows beneath it. It belongs to the Earth, and it is there for us to use. Now, in todays society, that would not fly. In reality, that long belongs to an individual, and that individual can dictate what they want to do with the resources that are on that land. I do not believe it is morally right for one to claim the water as theirs, and claim it as profit, but in the grand scheme of things today, it is not wrong to do so if one owns the land. The local residents could not benefit from that aquifer. What if the local area started running dry? would they pipe water in from a different area? This could create a dominoe effect crippling various areas until there is nothign left. Water restrictions are not nearly as strict as they should be. Possibly imposing stricter rules on water usage, and increasing the penalties for breaking them would convince some people to actually follow them. As well, there are always opportunities to cut back on usage. There certainly is potential for this to happen in florida. What if we damage the flow of the aquifers, and an area would no longer be recieveing fresh water? they would have to do the same thing as this person is imposing.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
List your daily Water Usage: For 24 hours, list each time you use water and estimate the volume (number of cups, quarts, gallons or liters) for each usage. BEFORE YOU BEGIN, take a measuring cup or container of known volume (eg. A 2-liter or 2 quart bottle), fill it up and empty it several times so you can learn to estimate small volumes. Use a bucket of known volume in the shower and time how long it takes to fill, then time your shower to get the volume you use in the shower. Check the manufacturer’s book to see how much water the washing machine uses and the dishwasher. Measure a sink-full if you wash dishes by hand. Include toilet flushes and car washing and lawn/garden watering. RECORD THE TOTAL VOLUME FOR THE DAY and reflect on this amount. Do you take steps to conserve water already?
Today I used nearly 12 gallons of water. 9 of those gallons went towards a shower, and the rest went to toilet flushes and using the sink to get ready in the morning. This amount really inst substantially high. I believe that I goto great length to conserve water. I only run the dishwasher when absolutely necessary, and I only run the washer only when I need to. Water is becoming a precious recourse, and it is becoming very important for us to conserve it. I believe people should all become more concious of the amount of water we use. Maybe if we could put a PSA on tv about water use and how little we have left, it could get it into peoples heads.
Today I used nearly 12 gallons of water. 9 of those gallons went towards a shower, and the rest went to toilet flushes and using the sink to get ready in the morning. This amount really inst substantially high. I believe that I goto great length to conserve water. I only run the dishwasher when absolutely necessary, and I only run the washer only when I need to. Water is becoming a precious recourse, and it is becoming very important for us to conserve it. I believe people should all become more concious of the amount of water we use. Maybe if we could put a PSA on tv about water use and how little we have left, it could get it into peoples heads.
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