39 – Towards Sustainability Development
Sustainable development is providing the necessities of today, without disadvantaging our needs of the futures. This concept applies for everyone, developed to undeveloped, and central to market oriented. Mind set has to remain broad, but with a strategic purpose towards social and physical equality. Current needs are unmeet in third world countries, which have unequal shares and are unable to live sustainably. Creating sustainable societies requires equal rights and opportunities for all, without exploitation of others. Populations must also be controlled to be in harmony with ecological and economic growth. The natural system has to be present, but changes induced by humans are modifying the delicate system in unnatural ways. The limits have to be realized before they are reached, to relive pressure and the potential of a large disaster. Land modifications can occur, like mining and farming, but planning has to be done first. Understanding erosion and regeneration rates allows for the use of renewable resources in a sustainable manner. It’s all about understanding the overall impact of an action, and calibrating the depletion rates to recognize future problems. Finding equity relies on educations, development, and laws that are enforced. These structures prevent responsibility avoiding, and provides a better source of information for the public, so overall choices are well thought out on the possible impacts as a result. Making the world more sustainable requires the rebalancing of technology; bring more resources to the third world environment. Third world environment have to become less dependent and dispersing focused consumptions, to a more moderate levels worldwide. Simply moving technologies isn’t the answer. New practices in more conservative uses of materials and environmental impacts, combining new technologies and techniques allows developing countries to be less dependent on finite resources. Eliminating segmentation between the environment and economy allows sustainable development to flourish, but still remains a barrier in today’s processes. Laws can be used to make systems better, limiting damage, but the perfect system would be public decision based, allowing society to have control over sustainable issues. In large scale, sustainability is to promote harmony between humanity and nature, by having citizen decision making privileges, a surplus economy, respects the obligation to preserve the environment, and a system that incorporates flexibility and self correction. These goals taken seriously will benefit the sustainability of all countries, promoting a better well being as a whole now and in the future.
For actions regarding sustainability to happen, the world will have to dramatically change from a profit based economy, to a responsible conservative approach. Even though large resistance would be met initially, the world economy and population will realized turning sustainable is necessary for natural vital systems to continue to function. Reducing the impacts of the developed world, and increasing efficiency in the less developed, can create balance, and the soon the world can realized this fact, the soon our impacts will stop effecting the environment in such a dramatic way.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Blog 5 - - - Section 24
24 – Restoring Rivers
Humans and natural life are reliant on fresh water systems, such as streams and rivers. Human actions have fouled these resources and action has to be taken to restore essential ecological and social factors. Problems with water systems range from the cleanliness to water shortages from over extraction. This problem impairs 1/3 of the U.S. water ways. The degradation of waterways are putting vital functions, such as flood mitigation, clean drinking water, nutrient and sediment filtration, and the ability to support fisheries and wildlife at risk of disappearing. The poor initial understanding of tributaries and riparian forests during early cities, riverside communities, has been the main source of this problem. Restoration projects are currently engaged, but not to the large extent required to make progress. Positive progress was being made since the 1960’s, until 2004 hit, when it became negative again. This problem is occurring from over development and increased runoff from landscape alterations. Both allow more water to flow faster, unfiltered by nature, and add to the pollution of a stream. The largest effects still remain defused source pollution and warm water “flash floods”, which are warmed from large amounts of heated paved surfaces, killing life in the streams by steep temperature changes. In response to these new problems, the U.S. has enforced stricter runoff laws, more erosion control, and incentives for prevention. This stream saving technology and efforts initial sound good, but problems continue to destroy bays and other runoff gathering points, despite the one billion that has already been injected into the program. Studies and information have to have a more streamline approach to share information and progress that is being made. Some steps being taken include coordinated efforts on the best approaches, previous efforts. National standards will be able to measure the effectiveness of restoration projects, and aid in choosing the best solutions, for given areas. Lastly, national tracking systems to monitor progress and results. The solution will have to consist of federal, state and local efforts to succeed. Promotion of synergy between the three will need to work, to find the ecological solution. Studying pre and post assessments of reconstructed areas is need to improve future efforts, and need to be available to the public. Simple restructuring can provide the bases of a successful river reclaim program. Tracking progress of restoration systems is vital for sharing new techniques and knowledge. Progress will allow the effectiveness of certain techniques to be shared throughout the country. Recording projects and proven techniques will lead to better, more efficient, spending of provided funding. The whole system of projects will begin to work together as one large effort, once again improving water quality of streams and rivers.
This article was interesting in bring up the facts of our past take on our vital systems today. The point that throwing money at a problem won’t fix anything was also a valuable topic. The main factor was organization and working together makes all the difference. Everyone has to be involved to make the changes needed, and for progress in new techniques to be made. Lacking in this system, even on a small scale, has very wide spread impacts, spread as far as the water source flows. Careful monitors and public awareness still remains the key factors for successes.
Humans and natural life are reliant on fresh water systems, such as streams and rivers. Human actions have fouled these resources and action has to be taken to restore essential ecological and social factors. Problems with water systems range from the cleanliness to water shortages from over extraction. This problem impairs 1/3 of the U.S. water ways. The degradation of waterways are putting vital functions, such as flood mitigation, clean drinking water, nutrient and sediment filtration, and the ability to support fisheries and wildlife at risk of disappearing. The poor initial understanding of tributaries and riparian forests during early cities, riverside communities, has been the main source of this problem. Restoration projects are currently engaged, but not to the large extent required to make progress. Positive progress was being made since the 1960’s, until 2004 hit, when it became negative again. This problem is occurring from over development and increased runoff from landscape alterations. Both allow more water to flow faster, unfiltered by nature, and add to the pollution of a stream. The largest effects still remain defused source pollution and warm water “flash floods”, which are warmed from large amounts of heated paved surfaces, killing life in the streams by steep temperature changes. In response to these new problems, the U.S. has enforced stricter runoff laws, more erosion control, and incentives for prevention. This stream saving technology and efforts initial sound good, but problems continue to destroy bays and other runoff gathering points, despite the one billion that has already been injected into the program. Studies and information have to have a more streamline approach to share information and progress that is being made. Some steps being taken include coordinated efforts on the best approaches, previous efforts. National standards will be able to measure the effectiveness of restoration projects, and aid in choosing the best solutions, for given areas. Lastly, national tracking systems to monitor progress and results. The solution will have to consist of federal, state and local efforts to succeed. Promotion of synergy between the three will need to work, to find the ecological solution. Studying pre and post assessments of reconstructed areas is need to improve future efforts, and need to be available to the public. Simple restructuring can provide the bases of a successful river reclaim program. Tracking progress of restoration systems is vital for sharing new techniques and knowledge. Progress will allow the effectiveness of certain techniques to be shared throughout the country. Recording projects and proven techniques will lead to better, more efficient, spending of provided funding. The whole system of projects will begin to work together as one large effort, once again improving water quality of streams and rivers.
This article was interesting in bring up the facts of our past take on our vital systems today. The point that throwing money at a problem won’t fix anything was also a valuable topic. The main factor was organization and working together makes all the difference. Everyone has to be involved to make the changes needed, and for progress in new techniques to be made. Lacking in this system, even on a small scale, has very wide spread impacts, spread as far as the water source flows. Careful monitors and public awareness still remains the key factors for successes.
Blog 5 - - - Section 23
23 – Controversy at Love Canal
It is very important to understand the complete impact of toxic chemicals in the environment. Choices made in the past can create serious problems in the present, causing the intervention from political and scientific communities. Determining the correct method of dealing with toxic chemicals sometimes is based on value more than environmental impact. Toxic substances are hard to recycle and store. Political influence can blur the actual impacts to nearby residents, or even to reuse the land as a safe site for public services, like a school at Love Canal. Toxic chemicals, produced by Hooker in this case, also have people running from responsibility/liability once a contamination occurs. Enforcing laws is very hard when the dumper and law maker were the initial source of the problem, as was the case in Niagara Falls. After substantial problems with local health in the community, the EPA became involved in 1978, almost 20 years too late. The cleanup effort consisted of home evacuation and relocation of resident most at risk. The study produced from the investigation, told residents that the area is safe. No one in the community bought the initial results, as signs of contamination were still present at the site. Unsatisfied by federal studies, local residents took it on their own to survey and identify people in the neighborhood suffering from similar symptoms, believed to be a result from the chemical in the ground. After compiling the data, it was able to show a geographical pattern, with the most effected people to be the closest to the dump site, and banks of the old canal. The results made a positive linear increase in birth defects, compared to homes further away from the banks. The independent study took the likely hood of this occurrence to be “chance” done to .001%. Such birth defects range from serious to mild cases, all of which were occurring at a abnormally high rate, when compared to other neighborhoods. It also gave enough proof to show there was still a contamination and chemical leaking in the area, despite the federal investigation. Surprisingly the controversy was between the community and the health department, and not between the sources of the problem, Hooker Chemicals. The community felt cheated by the public health service. The public health service has a lot to consider for the solutions to the problem at Love Canal. The public health service was delaying to avoid paying out even more than Love Canal itself; there were other sites around the state with the same problem that would demand a payout as well, if a payout was received here. Delaying would make it someone else’s problem as well. The two sides were unable to understand each other’s goals, only adding to the anger from the residents. Information was gathered by one source, the state of New York, putting quality and influence on certain aspects at question. Federal intervention was required to provide an equal and proper study to be conducted. The state became dissident and ignored minority opinions, along with harassment and demotion to keep data consistent, even if it turns out to be false data. Openness of scientific knowledge was compromised, files were hidden and not peer reviewed to establish the validity of the study. There were also no equal attempts at resolving the controversy because the health department responsible for all the data collected refused to acknowledge the deviation from their findings as true, there needs to be an understanding of the problem by both sides, so an actual solution can be made. These problems had two failed attempts at trying to challenge the states data. Following this actions, the state was charged by Senator Thomas Bastosiewicz with everything from withholding information from the public, to manipulation of information to minimize potential health risks. Overall this shows the importance of proper scientific studies, such as openness to data, multiple levels of community involvement, and funds should empower the community to choose their own researcher, all of these points prevent state manipulation.
This article brought up good points about manipulation of the government and power. Having people responsible for investigating their own mistakes and deciding whether or not to pay out from their own pocket never works. Third party investigation is necessary to avoid bias in the information provided and collected. This was a valuable lesson learned by the residents and communities in the area. A restructuring would only benefit the tax payer, and prevent a similar situation from happening again.
It is very important to understand the complete impact of toxic chemicals in the environment. Choices made in the past can create serious problems in the present, causing the intervention from political and scientific communities. Determining the correct method of dealing with toxic chemicals sometimes is based on value more than environmental impact. Toxic substances are hard to recycle and store. Political influence can blur the actual impacts to nearby residents, or even to reuse the land as a safe site for public services, like a school at Love Canal. Toxic chemicals, produced by Hooker in this case, also have people running from responsibility/liability once a contamination occurs. Enforcing laws is very hard when the dumper and law maker were the initial source of the problem, as was the case in Niagara Falls. After substantial problems with local health in the community, the EPA became involved in 1978, almost 20 years too late. The cleanup effort consisted of home evacuation and relocation of resident most at risk. The study produced from the investigation, told residents that the area is safe. No one in the community bought the initial results, as signs of contamination were still present at the site. Unsatisfied by federal studies, local residents took it on their own to survey and identify people in the neighborhood suffering from similar symptoms, believed to be a result from the chemical in the ground. After compiling the data, it was able to show a geographical pattern, with the most effected people to be the closest to the dump site, and banks of the old canal. The results made a positive linear increase in birth defects, compared to homes further away from the banks. The independent study took the likely hood of this occurrence to be “chance” done to .001%. Such birth defects range from serious to mild cases, all of which were occurring at a abnormally high rate, when compared to other neighborhoods. It also gave enough proof to show there was still a contamination and chemical leaking in the area, despite the federal investigation. Surprisingly the controversy was between the community and the health department, and not between the sources of the problem, Hooker Chemicals. The community felt cheated by the public health service. The public health service has a lot to consider for the solutions to the problem at Love Canal. The public health service was delaying to avoid paying out even more than Love Canal itself; there were other sites around the state with the same problem that would demand a payout as well, if a payout was received here. Delaying would make it someone else’s problem as well. The two sides were unable to understand each other’s goals, only adding to the anger from the residents. Information was gathered by one source, the state of New York, putting quality and influence on certain aspects at question. Federal intervention was required to provide an equal and proper study to be conducted. The state became dissident and ignored minority opinions, along with harassment and demotion to keep data consistent, even if it turns out to be false data. Openness of scientific knowledge was compromised, files were hidden and not peer reviewed to establish the validity of the study. There were also no equal attempts at resolving the controversy because the health department responsible for all the data collected refused to acknowledge the deviation from their findings as true, there needs to be an understanding of the problem by both sides, so an actual solution can be made. These problems had two failed attempts at trying to challenge the states data. Following this actions, the state was charged by Senator Thomas Bastosiewicz with everything from withholding information from the public, to manipulation of information to minimize potential health risks. Overall this shows the importance of proper scientific studies, such as openness to data, multiple levels of community involvement, and funds should empower the community to choose their own researcher, all of these points prevent state manipulation.
This article brought up good points about manipulation of the government and power. Having people responsible for investigating their own mistakes and deciding whether or not to pay out from their own pocket never works. Third party investigation is necessary to avoid bias in the information provided and collected. This was a valuable lesson learned by the residents and communities in the area. A restructuring would only benefit the tax payer, and prevent a similar situation from happening again.
Blog 5 - - - Carl Honore – Praises Slowness
Everyone wants to know how to slow down their life, and ironically they want to do it very quickly. The world is stuck in fast-forward, trying to do more and more in less and less time, always racing the clock. Even instant gratification is not fast enough. Today’s current views in advancement see it as being able to accomplish thing faster. People are so accustomed to speed, that they are unaware of the toll of running at such a fast pace. Eventually something has to give, ether peoples bodies or even relationships. These actions bring up the two questions, how did we get so fast? And is it possible to slow down?
The deep driver of this problem is time itself. Our view is time is money and its always running out. People lives begin to revolve around a finish line model. Fortunately slowing down is possible. Slowing down at the right monuments, lets people realize everything thing improves. This is forming the international slow movement. More pleasure and health are the result when more time and effort is put into a project and not burning through the process like a mad man. When a places rethinks how operating slowly would apply, a better connection is made throughout the community. More focus on bettering life, with more parks and less traffic, seeing how theses change add up to more than the sum of their parts, shows the vital role of the slowness movement.
Slowing down in all aspects in one life is very beneficial, from the bedroom to the workplace, people are living better live, working more productive, and overall working the least amount of hours during the week. This happens because people are able to be more relaxed and actually think out actions and plans, avoiding mistakes and making deeper connections in life and business.
People have to make time for the thing usually overlooked in life. Slowing down still remains hard, because speed is fun, and people use it to find distraction, to avoid think about undesired topics. Culture itself has made slow a taboo, linking the term with a slacker or giving up on life. Slow is not always good, but the new idea on slow is, making time for the better thing in life, or just slow down and slaver the important ones life has to offer.
Slowing down is possible in modern society, to avoiding overloading and not wanting to be rushed. The upshot is people are healthier, more productive, and happier. People are living there life and again and not racing through it. Everything becomes deep, rich, and stronger. Not living on a schedule, but taking the necessary time to appreciate the better thing in life.
This clip was a good, new, and refreshing view on life and how it should be. People have to realize life is what they make it, and missing all the details on the way, makes for boring memories. Details are what make people’s lives exciting and unique, Make people become passionate and more connected with loved ones and society. Speed really is a negative influence on modern life, it is necessary during the right application, but life today has it stuck on over drive. After watching this video, slowing down will become a focus and part of my activities. The points made, had good depth, and were easily relatable, motivating people to try slowing down for them selves.
Video can be viewed through links section
Source : TED (2010) “Praises Slowness”, Retreived March 25, 2010, from: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/carl_honore_praises_slowness.html
The deep driver of this problem is time itself. Our view is time is money and its always running out. People lives begin to revolve around a finish line model. Fortunately slowing down is possible. Slowing down at the right monuments, lets people realize everything thing improves. This is forming the international slow movement. More pleasure and health are the result when more time and effort is put into a project and not burning through the process like a mad man. When a places rethinks how operating slowly would apply, a better connection is made throughout the community. More focus on bettering life, with more parks and less traffic, seeing how theses change add up to more than the sum of their parts, shows the vital role of the slowness movement.
Slowing down in all aspects in one life is very beneficial, from the bedroom to the workplace, people are living better live, working more productive, and overall working the least amount of hours during the week. This happens because people are able to be more relaxed and actually think out actions and plans, avoiding mistakes and making deeper connections in life and business.
People have to make time for the thing usually overlooked in life. Slowing down still remains hard, because speed is fun, and people use it to find distraction, to avoid think about undesired topics. Culture itself has made slow a taboo, linking the term with a slacker or giving up on life. Slow is not always good, but the new idea on slow is, making time for the better thing in life, or just slow down and slaver the important ones life has to offer.
Slowing down is possible in modern society, to avoiding overloading and not wanting to be rushed. The upshot is people are healthier, more productive, and happier. People are living there life and again and not racing through it. Everything becomes deep, rich, and stronger. Not living on a schedule, but taking the necessary time to appreciate the better thing in life.
This clip was a good, new, and refreshing view on life and how it should be. People have to realize life is what they make it, and missing all the details on the way, makes for boring memories. Details are what make people’s lives exciting and unique, Make people become passionate and more connected with loved ones and society. Speed really is a negative influence on modern life, it is necessary during the right application, but life today has it stuck on over drive. After watching this video, slowing down will become a focus and part of my activities. The points made, had good depth, and were easily relatable, motivating people to try slowing down for them selves.
Video can be viewed through links section
Source : TED (2010) “Praises Slowness”, Retreived March 25, 2010, from: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/carl_honore_praises_slowness.html
Monday, March 15, 2010
Blog 5 - - - Class Reflections - Voluntary Simplicity
This topic is very interesting to consider. It first sound like the minimalist trying to justify living under budget, and trying to justify that money isn’t everything, and actually better to have less money than more. I disagreed with this notion as the class began to examine the topic, think that hard work will give you money, and no money means that not much work is being done.
As the class progressed, this topic of voluntary simplification began to expose its true meaning. Its goal wasn’t to become a stone aged, broke hippy, but to become efficient at living. Making choice on how to spend money more responsibly and be more environmentally friendly. Between the purchases of being a couch to a garden hose, it became clear that is wasn’t the price of the product, but the quality and materials. Choosing better product adds to the products life span and overall use, eliminating products that have to be bought yearly, cutting down on landfill amounts.
Applying this concept of Simplicity is much easier that people think. Seeing how the concept itself can be understood as basic knowledge. Quality to me is a major factor in product construction. Much of my current life style applies to the concepts. Almost all my major purchases throughout my life are still in use today. To me these actions are natural, don’t waste time and money, and make careful purchases that will last. Using a more outward look on society, I do see a lot of actions that are not considerate of this concept. I have to believe than that my upbringing is responsible for my current attitudes. My attitudes today can justify my parent’s choice of having children. They have raised me aware of environmental impacts, to minimize my impact on the environment as a child.
Voluntary Simplicity is a good concept, but I think it is a term that describes ever day life in a Canadian society, and applies more to the lifestyle of the U.S. These actions can be taken as far as desired, and for me it is to be as environmentally friendly as possible, without having to make myself feel left out or unable to do things that I want to do.
As the class progressed, this topic of voluntary simplification began to expose its true meaning. Its goal wasn’t to become a stone aged, broke hippy, but to become efficient at living. Making choice on how to spend money more responsibly and be more environmentally friendly. Between the purchases of being a couch to a garden hose, it became clear that is wasn’t the price of the product, but the quality and materials. Choosing better product adds to the products life span and overall use, eliminating products that have to be bought yearly, cutting down on landfill amounts.
Applying this concept of Simplicity is much easier that people think. Seeing how the concept itself can be understood as basic knowledge. Quality to me is a major factor in product construction. Much of my current life style applies to the concepts. Almost all my major purchases throughout my life are still in use today. To me these actions are natural, don’t waste time and money, and make careful purchases that will last. Using a more outward look on society, I do see a lot of actions that are not considerate of this concept. I have to believe than that my upbringing is responsible for my current attitudes. My attitudes today can justify my parent’s choice of having children. They have raised me aware of environmental impacts, to minimize my impact on the environment as a child.
Voluntary Simplicity is a good concept, but I think it is a term that describes ever day life in a Canadian society, and applies more to the lifestyle of the U.S. These actions can be taken as far as desired, and for me it is to be as environmentally friendly as possible, without having to make myself feel left out or unable to do things that I want to do.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Blog 4 - - - Activities - Cary Fowler: One seed at a time
Diversity of crops is very important and can be considered genetic resource. The diversity is critical for allowing crops to adapt to changing environments and able to cope with disease. The modification of the natural genetic is crumbling the critical structure for life. Verities of wheat and apples are shrinking at alarming rates, and many verities are now extinct, and streamlining is the main focus over of diversity. Saving only one example of a variety backs us into a corner. The future may require genes from variety that were useless in the past; nothing deserves to be eliminated because the current value is low.
Variety is critical for making climate ready crops. Making crops adapted for higher temperatures is a necessity for preventing a food crisis in Asia and Africa. Maize is the main food source in these countries, and there is only two more growing cycles to improve this crop, action has to be taken now.
Facilities are needed to preserve genetic diversity, such as seed banks. One problem is the mechanical failure and political mismanagement, leading to extinction of certain verities. This has lead to the construction of a building east of Greenland, which is remote and naturally cooled; it works as a backup system for agriculture. This is one of the few example were all the countries of the world have contributed to one project in a friendly manner.
Whatever happens in the future, if crop diversity doesn’t exist, no problems around the world can be solves relating to climate change. The climate is going to change, and the growing environment for plant is also going to change, requiring new diversity to grow throughout the world. Investing now in conservation, might save us in the future.
Genetic diversity is critical component of modern life. New medical and agricultural uses are being discovered daily and solving problem that have been plaguing humanity for centuries. If efforts aren’t made today, current growing areas will become extinct, cultures will go hungry, and world industries will faultier. The globe has to work together to find solutions for preserving genetic diversity and overall humanity.
Video is in related links
Variety is critical for making climate ready crops. Making crops adapted for higher temperatures is a necessity for preventing a food crisis in Asia and Africa. Maize is the main food source in these countries, and there is only two more growing cycles to improve this crop, action has to be taken now.
Facilities are needed to preserve genetic diversity, such as seed banks. One problem is the mechanical failure and political mismanagement, leading to extinction of certain verities. This has lead to the construction of a building east of Greenland, which is remote and naturally cooled; it works as a backup system for agriculture. This is one of the few example were all the countries of the world have contributed to one project in a friendly manner.
Whatever happens in the future, if crop diversity doesn’t exist, no problems around the world can be solves relating to climate change. The climate is going to change, and the growing environment for plant is also going to change, requiring new diversity to grow throughout the world. Investing now in conservation, might save us in the future.
Genetic diversity is critical component of modern life. New medical and agricultural uses are being discovered daily and solving problem that have been plaguing humanity for centuries. If efforts aren’t made today, current growing areas will become extinct, cultures will go hungry, and world industries will faultier. The globe has to work together to find solutions for preserving genetic diversity and overall humanity.
Video is in related links
Blog 4 - - - Class Reflections - Food Intake and environmental impacts
Food intake for the last 48 hours
Day 1
Breakfast
•Fruit shake – Strawberries, Blueberries, bananas, and milk
•Protein bar
Lunch
•Sandwich – Bread, Ham, Tomato, Lettuce, Mayonnaise
•Grapes
•Cucumbers
Dinner
•Steak – BBQ with streak sauce
•Potatoes
•Cesar salad
Day 2
Breakfast
•Fruit shake – Strawberries, Mangos, bananas, and milk
•Protein bar
Lunch
•Sandwich – Bread, Turkey, Tomato, Lettuce, Mayonnaise
•Strawberries
•Cucumbers
Dinner
•Pork – baked with dressings
•Potatoes
•Beans
•Noodles
Looking at the past two day of food consumption, I find that my diet consist of a decently balanced diet. Lots of fruit, and a mix of red and white meat. Also for a good variety of nutrients and minerals. My habits of eating generally lean towards fruit all year round. Most of my fruit are not from local sources and are impacting the environment and me. Fruit from the south during the winter requires large amounts of transportation and generally has a decreased nutritional value. The meat I eat also requires more energy than a more vegetable based diet. Eating higher on the food chain need larger inputs of water, energy, and land. Eating meat is necessary in my life style, but I also believe that there can me improvements made to make the process more environmentally friendly.
During the summer I try to pick my own fruit and vegetables, ether from local gardens or even local farmers markets, relieving some of the strain on the environment. Our climate plays a huge roll in how our society deals with produce and supplies during the sub zero months. Importing is currently our only answer, but new advances in greenhouse technology is making the reality of locally grown produce year round closer and closer. Other processed food, such as noodles also add to the transportation impacts of moving imported food unnecessarily around the country.
This study was a good at bringing out the real impacts of not knowing where our food comes from, next time I’m shopping, ill definitely be more aware of the season and how the products would have got their.
Day 1
Breakfast
•Fruit shake – Strawberries, Blueberries, bananas, and milk
•Protein bar
Lunch
•Sandwich – Bread, Ham, Tomato, Lettuce, Mayonnaise
•Grapes
•Cucumbers
Dinner
•Steak – BBQ with streak sauce
•Potatoes
•Cesar salad
Day 2
Breakfast
•Fruit shake – Strawberries, Mangos, bananas, and milk
•Protein bar
Lunch
•Sandwich – Bread, Turkey, Tomato, Lettuce, Mayonnaise
•Strawberries
•Cucumbers
Dinner
•Pork – baked with dressings
•Potatoes
•Beans
•Noodles
Looking at the past two day of food consumption, I find that my diet consist of a decently balanced diet. Lots of fruit, and a mix of red and white meat. Also for a good variety of nutrients and minerals. My habits of eating generally lean towards fruit all year round. Most of my fruit are not from local sources and are impacting the environment and me. Fruit from the south during the winter requires large amounts of transportation and generally has a decreased nutritional value. The meat I eat also requires more energy than a more vegetable based diet. Eating higher on the food chain need larger inputs of water, energy, and land. Eating meat is necessary in my life style, but I also believe that there can me improvements made to make the process more environmentally friendly.
During the summer I try to pick my own fruit and vegetables, ether from local gardens or even local farmers markets, relieving some of the strain on the environment. Our climate plays a huge roll in how our society deals with produce and supplies during the sub zero months. Importing is currently our only answer, but new advances in greenhouse technology is making the reality of locally grown produce year round closer and closer. Other processed food, such as noodles also add to the transportation impacts of moving imported food unnecessarily around the country.
This study was a good at bringing out the real impacts of not knowing where our food comes from, next time I’m shopping, ill definitely be more aware of the season and how the products would have got their.
Blog 4 - - - Section 41
Women Indigenous Knowledge and biodiversity conservation
Finding and learning from the different views women have on nature and humans use of the environment, Compared to men’s views that are focused on economical gain. Using the view of women, considered the “second sex”, like today’s biodiversity, they are able to look from the less desired side, diversity, and look upon monocultures to see their true destructive, non-progressive ways in industry. Current views of power see diversity and tribal based ways of life to be primitive and outdated, when compared to the powerful progression of mono based ways of life. The biases of monocultures being the only commercial way of making money, leaves diversity with the label of being very inefficient and unproductive. Diverse practices prove to be more employing for many regions of the world where jobs are scarce. Technology to replace labor is good when labor is short or too expensive, but is very damaging when people are willing to work, for reasonable wages, but are denied. Much of the time it leads to poverty in the areas.Lots of labour studies exclude “women’s work” because it is hard to place the many jobs performed, and many are not for wages, just like diversity, its impacts are greater that the economic value, many unseen factors are present. Women’s techniques for producing and managing seeds, allow for long term use and growth, the seed only become stronger. Cooperation’s on the other hand develop over engineered seed, resistant to everything, but designed to die every year, to have repeat customers.
New GMO’s are using patens to protect their products, sealing seed structures produced by nature and used by the third world. These unnatural products have unknown problems, and can be dangerous. Recent concerns with GMO’s have been: Toxins added to modify more structures, Lower nutrient quality, Composition alterations, New allergic reactions to some foods, Rick to domestic animals, and can change habitats. The same cooperation’s that gave us pesticides, are now giving us “green” GMO’s, the effects are still not known, and society as a whole is the new lab test, the test results will be in soon.
Using GMO’s has benefits for areas that find it hard to grow local and necessary food. Should they be released with patens and unknown results, no. People are finding themselves in lawsuits and no seeds to grow due to this ridicule law. Seeing the problem from the other side of the fence allows everyone to take a second look, and see what we missed the first time around. Finding and understanding the no so noticeable connection, that are vital to survival, maybe will let us stop before we have gone too far. It is happening to fast, that our choice to buy GMO’s is shrinking, there should be more clear labelling and always have choice. People should not be so trusting in North America, if anything seeing Europe banning our GMO’s should put huge red flags up.
Finding and learning from the different views women have on nature and humans use of the environment, Compared to men’s views that are focused on economical gain. Using the view of women, considered the “second sex”, like today’s biodiversity, they are able to look from the less desired side, diversity, and look upon monocultures to see their true destructive, non-progressive ways in industry. Current views of power see diversity and tribal based ways of life to be primitive and outdated, when compared to the powerful progression of mono based ways of life. The biases of monocultures being the only commercial way of making money, leaves diversity with the label of being very inefficient and unproductive. Diverse practices prove to be more employing for many regions of the world where jobs are scarce. Technology to replace labor is good when labor is short or too expensive, but is very damaging when people are willing to work, for reasonable wages, but are denied. Much of the time it leads to poverty in the areas.Lots of labour studies exclude “women’s work” because it is hard to place the many jobs performed, and many are not for wages, just like diversity, its impacts are greater that the economic value, many unseen factors are present. Women’s techniques for producing and managing seeds, allow for long term use and growth, the seed only become stronger. Cooperation’s on the other hand develop over engineered seed, resistant to everything, but designed to die every year, to have repeat customers.
New GMO’s are using patens to protect their products, sealing seed structures produced by nature and used by the third world. These unnatural products have unknown problems, and can be dangerous. Recent concerns with GMO’s have been: Toxins added to modify more structures, Lower nutrient quality, Composition alterations, New allergic reactions to some foods, Rick to domestic animals, and can change habitats. The same cooperation’s that gave us pesticides, are now giving us “green” GMO’s, the effects are still not known, and society as a whole is the new lab test, the test results will be in soon.
Using GMO’s has benefits for areas that find it hard to grow local and necessary food. Should they be released with patens and unknown results, no. People are finding themselves in lawsuits and no seeds to grow due to this ridicule law. Seeing the problem from the other side of the fence allows everyone to take a second look, and see what we missed the first time around. Finding and understanding the no so noticeable connection, that are vital to survival, maybe will let us stop before we have gone too far. It is happening to fast, that our choice to buy GMO’s is shrinking, there should be more clear labelling and always have choice. People should not be so trusting in North America, if anything seeing Europe banning our GMO’s should put huge red flags up.
Blog 4 - - - Section 27
The agricultural crisis
Abuse of nature from humans is growing, as out connection to the land is shrinking; Farming has to return to being independent and having a strong co-operation, and flee away from current profit-based farming that instils simplicity. In the beginning, farms were horse and man power, farmers lived on the land that they worked, and everything need for life was grown, for the most part, on their own land. Markets were weekly gathering places, were speciality items were found, a sense of community existed. After world war two, people began using more and more machinery. The new technology made work more manageable, and more land could be farmed by one person. But larger farms meant less people in the country, as labour became more and more scarce.
Future generations are focused on cars, and how fast they can escape the farm after high school. No interest in working hard on the farm, that is not close to a city with entertainment and possessions. Farms are become less profitable, and more of a struggle to manage.
Technologies required for making safe products, like pasteurization, are designed for big business or large scale operations, killing off the small guys, who try and survive with independent products. The equipment requires to large of an investment and initial product to be processed. This in affect is causing forcible displacement for millions of country residents. The attitude of “Being the Biggest” is causing communities to fall apart and makes everyone compete for one spot, to be the biggest. The problem is being caused by politics and agribusiness that are not concerned with farmers and communities, but appeal more to profit and efficiently.
Decisions should be made on culture, not on economic and technology. The driven mitigation from farm to city is simplifying out attitudes, limiting out depth of the overall culture. Our goal for industry now is simplification. People have changed from being completely independent, to understanding a simple task that only completes a fraction of the whole job, mindless work. People no longer are their own boss, with motivation and pride; they are now focused on economics and cultural fashions. Time is another fact becoming important to the everyday farmer, schedules were never used, only judged by how tired and how dark the day was becoming.
This modern process is destroying the character and culture of the farmer’s lifestyle. Something that is learned from decades of experience, compared to a few years of training for a technician. Money becomes the main object, as it can buy more technology to support more land, with less hands. The technology also brings high debt with it as well. Shifting attention from maintaining a product is causing a destructive cycle of competition for attention. The soils are being over worked, and more principals is being spent instead of the interest, this is defiantly not a sustainable way of life.
This “progress” in agriculture is promoting competition instead of interdependence. Chemicals are taking over the land, and nutrients are not being replaced. Monocultures are used for efficiently, and will soon our mistakes will become clearer.
The communities located in the rural areas of the countries are very important. They give us choice of what kind of food we want, and a local source for freshness. The general trend is removing these people from their livelihoods, and people reliant on the food are suffering. Our food system and supply is becoming streamed lined, with less choice and taste, and fewer producers without GMO’s. Understanding how to make the land work and grow is much harder than many tend to believe. The skills are being lost and more chemicals are being used. Once we notice problem with the way me grow food, the skills to return to “how it was” well be lost, and we will have very few alternative to choose from.
Abuse of nature from humans is growing, as out connection to the land is shrinking; Farming has to return to being independent and having a strong co-operation, and flee away from current profit-based farming that instils simplicity. In the beginning, farms were horse and man power, farmers lived on the land that they worked, and everything need for life was grown, for the most part, on their own land. Markets were weekly gathering places, were speciality items were found, a sense of community existed. After world war two, people began using more and more machinery. The new technology made work more manageable, and more land could be farmed by one person. But larger farms meant less people in the country, as labour became more and more scarce.
Future generations are focused on cars, and how fast they can escape the farm after high school. No interest in working hard on the farm, that is not close to a city with entertainment and possessions. Farms are become less profitable, and more of a struggle to manage.
Technologies required for making safe products, like pasteurization, are designed for big business or large scale operations, killing off the small guys, who try and survive with independent products. The equipment requires to large of an investment and initial product to be processed. This in affect is causing forcible displacement for millions of country residents. The attitude of “Being the Biggest” is causing communities to fall apart and makes everyone compete for one spot, to be the biggest. The problem is being caused by politics and agribusiness that are not concerned with farmers and communities, but appeal more to profit and efficiently.
Decisions should be made on culture, not on economic and technology. The driven mitigation from farm to city is simplifying out attitudes, limiting out depth of the overall culture. Our goal for industry now is simplification. People have changed from being completely independent, to understanding a simple task that only completes a fraction of the whole job, mindless work. People no longer are their own boss, with motivation and pride; they are now focused on economics and cultural fashions. Time is another fact becoming important to the everyday farmer, schedules were never used, only judged by how tired and how dark the day was becoming.
This modern process is destroying the character and culture of the farmer’s lifestyle. Something that is learned from decades of experience, compared to a few years of training for a technician. Money becomes the main object, as it can buy more technology to support more land, with less hands. The technology also brings high debt with it as well. Shifting attention from maintaining a product is causing a destructive cycle of competition for attention. The soils are being over worked, and more principals is being spent instead of the interest, this is defiantly not a sustainable way of life.
This “progress” in agriculture is promoting competition instead of interdependence. Chemicals are taking over the land, and nutrients are not being replaced. Monocultures are used for efficiently, and will soon our mistakes will become clearer.
The communities located in the rural areas of the countries are very important. They give us choice of what kind of food we want, and a local source for freshness. The general trend is removing these people from their livelihoods, and people reliant on the food are suffering. Our food system and supply is becoming streamed lined, with less choice and taste, and fewer producers without GMO’s. Understanding how to make the land work and grow is much harder than many tend to believe. The skills are being lost and more chemicals are being used. Once we notice problem with the way me grow food, the skills to return to “how it was” well be lost, and we will have very few alternative to choose from.
Blog 4 - - - Section 28
Food Scarcity
Linking the effect from global warming and over population with the irresponsibility of land use and the effects is has on our food supply. Over using current supplies, such as timber and farmland, is creating less diversification and more desertification. Eventually these factors are going to lead to a econmoic crash, felt most by food producers and third world countries.
The termination of fertile land from mismanagement will cause food prices to rise. These price fluctuations will affect the third world nations much more than the first world. Increasing food prices become extremely vital for increasing world famine overnight, very dangerous for the poor.
The constant increase in population throughout the world is putting strain on land and irrigation systems. Extreme measures are taken to reclaim land and manage water supplies, but as population grows, the amount of land and water per person continues to shrink, making more competition for supplies.
Water shortages are creating competition between urban and irrigation use, both are leading to the drying up of rivers. Crop production relies heavily on irrigation. Water shortages cause countries to import grains, instead of producing the product themselves, reducing work available for their population. Aquifer depletion is a major problem in the world’s three major producers; economic collapse is creeping closer and closer.
Rising food prices might be there wake up call the world has been trying to ignore. Food scarcity is happening already in small scales around the world. It causes the governments to make choice on what is the most vital supplies, most of the time causing riots when favourites are no longer available. Leaving the question of what’s going to happen when it becomes large scale. Low harvest numbers, from poor growing seasons and high food prices are affecting the food reserves and consistent supply of food required. These affects are slowing of stunting economic growth.
Two determinates necessary to control our future food supplies are population control and climate solutions. Populations have to be controlled and cut down to replacement values and climate change has to be less impacting from fossil fuel consumption, especially in power generation and transportation.
Both land and water use needs to become more efficient than present standards, for the amount of resources that are available. The amount of waste produced from current processes of both vital resources is much too wasteful. If it becomes a major problem, ideas of tax to limit or wean people off of grain feed products, will help cut down on water and land use, keeping food prices relatively lower. It’s up to the current politics to move our current path of deterioration and disruption, to a more sustainable way of life, in both economic and demographic.
The article brings good points to the table. Both population and land use are out of control, exceeding the amount of activity that is sustainable. Action has to be taken now, to prevent the circumstance of finding ourselves in a position with no reverse option. Population control isn’t as bad as people think it might be. People will be able to enjoy life more, with more resources and a better quality of life as a greater population. Land management needs to be viewed as land for the people and not large gains for the few. The monopolies of land currently cause people to become greedy and controlling. The countries need to produce vital products first over profitable ones. Harmony is possible, but restructuring is required before.
Linking the effect from global warming and over population with the irresponsibility of land use and the effects is has on our food supply. Over using current supplies, such as timber and farmland, is creating less diversification and more desertification. Eventually these factors are going to lead to a econmoic crash, felt most by food producers and third world countries.
The termination of fertile land from mismanagement will cause food prices to rise. These price fluctuations will affect the third world nations much more than the first world. Increasing food prices become extremely vital for increasing world famine overnight, very dangerous for the poor.
The constant increase in population throughout the world is putting strain on land and irrigation systems. Extreme measures are taken to reclaim land and manage water supplies, but as population grows, the amount of land and water per person continues to shrink, making more competition for supplies.
Water shortages are creating competition between urban and irrigation use, both are leading to the drying up of rivers. Crop production relies heavily on irrigation. Water shortages cause countries to import grains, instead of producing the product themselves, reducing work available for their population. Aquifer depletion is a major problem in the world’s three major producers; economic collapse is creeping closer and closer.
Rising food prices might be there wake up call the world has been trying to ignore. Food scarcity is happening already in small scales around the world. It causes the governments to make choice on what is the most vital supplies, most of the time causing riots when favourites are no longer available. Leaving the question of what’s going to happen when it becomes large scale. Low harvest numbers, from poor growing seasons and high food prices are affecting the food reserves and consistent supply of food required. These affects are slowing of stunting economic growth.
Two determinates necessary to control our future food supplies are population control and climate solutions. Populations have to be controlled and cut down to replacement values and climate change has to be less impacting from fossil fuel consumption, especially in power generation and transportation.
Both land and water use needs to become more efficient than present standards, for the amount of resources that are available. The amount of waste produced from current processes of both vital resources is much too wasteful. If it becomes a major problem, ideas of tax to limit or wean people off of grain feed products, will help cut down on water and land use, keeping food prices relatively lower. It’s up to the current politics to move our current path of deterioration and disruption, to a more sustainable way of life, in both economic and demographic.
The article brings good points to the table. Both population and land use are out of control, exceeding the amount of activity that is sustainable. Action has to be taken now, to prevent the circumstance of finding ourselves in a position with no reverse option. Population control isn’t as bad as people think it might be. People will be able to enjoy life more, with more resources and a better quality of life as a greater population. Land management needs to be viewed as land for the people and not large gains for the few. The monopolies of land currently cause people to become greedy and controlling. The countries need to produce vital products first over profitable ones. Harmony is possible, but restructuring is required before.
Blog 4 - - - Section 29
Organic vs. Conventional farming
Understanding the benefits of both organic and conventional farming, for both the land and the quality of the end product. Conventional farming can have residual chemicals but higher yield, whereas Organic farming is competitive, but requires fallowing, cutting down on the surface area used each year for production. The search is for a combination of the tow, giving the maximum benefit in the end.
Conventional farming techniques with chemicals benefit and hamper the economy. They are found in water supplies, people, and plants. The over use of chemicals, in today’s practices, creates major problems for the environment and people. Overworked fields have increased runoff and soil erosion, allowing more water, unfiltered, to reach water systems. This effect is creating billions of dollars in the healthcare system and environmental repair/management.
Organic farming has been proven to reduce the need for chemicals and produce almost the same yield initially. Safer practices are available and are gaining in popularity. Such techniques as proper crop rotation and planting procedures allow fields to retain their minerals and control weed growth without the use of residual chemicals.
When comparing Conventional farming and Organic farming, it is found that Conventional farming has higher inputs and outputs initially when the soil is fresh, but begins to deteriorate as chemicals and overuse of the begin to take their effects. The soil erosion, depletion of nutrients, and lower water absorption all add up of the years, making Organic farming to become the favour for end amount of biomass to sell.
Organic farming uses other natural ways of dealing with problems throughout the grow season. By planting per-crops and coverage crops, the fields remain protected from drought and pests. It give the land a rich biomass, constant with large amounts of nutrients, giving the natural method a long term advantage over the use of chemicals.
Organic farming uses no chemicals that require spreading, reducing the overall amount of CO2 released during this operation normally, and also putting more money back into the farmer’s pocket. Even thought Organic farming end results for production may fall below Conventional farming, The organic product fetches a much higher price at market, allowing the farmer to produce less and make more money.
Organic farming isn’t perfect, two major problems faces are nitrate deficiency, and weed competition, but this is based to the topography of the region. These problems can be controlled with good farming practice, such as crop rotation and off season crop cover, keeping the biomass and nitrates where they belong, in the soil.
The main point of Organic farming has been used for thousands of years and is a proven technique for many cultures. Some benefits continue to be soil organic matter, control of water and leeching, less fossil energy used, equal output with less input compared to Conventional techniques, larger profits from less product, recycling of water products, and very sustainable.
This article bring to light the actual effects of current farming practices, in a way that is past the bashing of chemical use, and focus on the impacts of more sustainable practice, that have longer lasting production rates and better quality of produce. The experiments done throughout this article were interesting and gave merit to the points being raised. Organic farming will make a strong come back as the effects of chemicals become more apparent and continued high buy prices for organic crops continue to rise.
Understanding the benefits of both organic and conventional farming, for both the land and the quality of the end product. Conventional farming can have residual chemicals but higher yield, whereas Organic farming is competitive, but requires fallowing, cutting down on the surface area used each year for production. The search is for a combination of the tow, giving the maximum benefit in the end.
Conventional farming techniques with chemicals benefit and hamper the economy. They are found in water supplies, people, and plants. The over use of chemicals, in today’s practices, creates major problems for the environment and people. Overworked fields have increased runoff and soil erosion, allowing more water, unfiltered, to reach water systems. This effect is creating billions of dollars in the healthcare system and environmental repair/management.
Organic farming has been proven to reduce the need for chemicals and produce almost the same yield initially. Safer practices are available and are gaining in popularity. Such techniques as proper crop rotation and planting procedures allow fields to retain their minerals and control weed growth without the use of residual chemicals.
When comparing Conventional farming and Organic farming, it is found that Conventional farming has higher inputs and outputs initially when the soil is fresh, but begins to deteriorate as chemicals and overuse of the begin to take their effects. The soil erosion, depletion of nutrients, and lower water absorption all add up of the years, making Organic farming to become the favour for end amount of biomass to sell.
Organic farming uses other natural ways of dealing with problems throughout the grow season. By planting per-crops and coverage crops, the fields remain protected from drought and pests. It give the land a rich biomass, constant with large amounts of nutrients, giving the natural method a long term advantage over the use of chemicals.
Organic farming uses no chemicals that require spreading, reducing the overall amount of CO2 released during this operation normally, and also putting more money back into the farmer’s pocket. Even thought Organic farming end results for production may fall below Conventional farming, The organic product fetches a much higher price at market, allowing the farmer to produce less and make more money.
Organic farming isn’t perfect, two major problems faces are nitrate deficiency, and weed competition, but this is based to the topography of the region. These problems can be controlled with good farming practice, such as crop rotation and off season crop cover, keeping the biomass and nitrates where they belong, in the soil.
The main point of Organic farming has been used for thousands of years and is a proven technique for many cultures. Some benefits continue to be soil organic matter, control of water and leeching, less fossil energy used, equal output with less input compared to Conventional techniques, larger profits from less product, recycling of water products, and very sustainable.
This article bring to light the actual effects of current farming practices, in a way that is past the bashing of chemical use, and focus on the impacts of more sustainable practice, that have longer lasting production rates and better quality of produce. The experiments done throughout this article were interesting and gave merit to the points being raised. Organic farming will make a strong come back as the effects of chemicals become more apparent and continued high buy prices for organic crops continue to rise.
Blog 4 - - - Class Reflections - Seeds of Change
The introductions of GMO’s are good for making strong crops, and making canola more resilient to harsh conditions. Cross pollination is becoming a major problem. Many crops around GMO’s are finding the engineered seed present tin there natural crops, causing the GMO producers to file lawsuits and cops/lots of perfectly good produce are being destroyed. Farmers are being forced to conform to purchasing GMO’s, or stop growing non-GMO crops to avoid problems.
The GMO’s also make it difficult for crop rotation between broadleaf and cereal based. Spring burn off is requiring stronger, more residual chemicals to be used to accomplish the desired result. The stronger chemical may be present for many years after, potentially decreasing the productivity of the land and the value of crops that grow in succession. GMO’s may be more of a curse in the weeds.
Cross pollination is a major problem for both clearing fields and growing non-GMO’s, without migrational volunteer effects.
The continued development of GMO’s is requiring chemical companies to develop stronger herbicides. Crop insurance on the other hand, does not cover burning or malfunctioning GMO’s that are effected by chemicals that they are support to resist. Putting farmers in the situation of losing profits, both from buying the more expensive seeds, and have less to harvest.
Companies that are developing these GMO’s are not willing to stand behind their product, giving no backing or assurance to the consumer, that the product will event work.
Worst part is how the seeds are affecting the industries domestic and international. Domestically communities are being split apart from famers moving or selling the farm, or even worst are friends telling on other friends if they are growing illegally. Internationally, consumers want nothing to do with the product, making the value of growing it drop dramatically.
The GMO’s are a self reproducing product that will be able to outlast the current trends and maybe even the parent companies responsible for it, so who become responsible in the end for this idea, that has altered nature.
THe trailer is posted in the links section for reference and further exploration.
The GMO’s also make it difficult for crop rotation between broadleaf and cereal based. Spring burn off is requiring stronger, more residual chemicals to be used to accomplish the desired result. The stronger chemical may be present for many years after, potentially decreasing the productivity of the land and the value of crops that grow in succession. GMO’s may be more of a curse in the weeds.
Cross pollination is a major problem for both clearing fields and growing non-GMO’s, without migrational volunteer effects.
The continued development of GMO’s is requiring chemical companies to develop stronger herbicides. Crop insurance on the other hand, does not cover burning or malfunctioning GMO’s that are effected by chemicals that they are support to resist. Putting farmers in the situation of losing profits, both from buying the more expensive seeds, and have less to harvest.
Companies that are developing these GMO’s are not willing to stand behind their product, giving no backing or assurance to the consumer, that the product will event work.
Worst part is how the seeds are affecting the industries domestic and international. Domestically communities are being split apart from famers moving or selling the farm, or even worst are friends telling on other friends if they are growing illegally. Internationally, consumers want nothing to do with the product, making the value of growing it drop dramatically.
The GMO’s are a self reproducing product that will be able to outlast the current trends and maybe even the parent companies responsible for it, so who become responsible in the end for this idea, that has altered nature.
THe trailer is posted in the links section for reference and further exploration.
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