I thought that Nathan Lewis's lecture was very structured and constructed very well. At first I didn't understand why he was talking so much about coal and how it was so abundant and cheap. Then he made it explicitly clear when he got into his counter argument that we cannot depend on this source forever.
From Nathans lecture, he reconfirmed my belief that solar energy/power is the way to go. I only have one question. Why didn't we discover this (solar energy) was the most resourceful and beneficial power source ever? Why didn't we find some way to harness this energy a long time ago? For being such a beneficial source, I would think some one would think to harness this energy.
Seriously solar is the way to go. There is no carbon emissions and we can power all of our utilities forever. I wonder if there is a way we can some how record how the plants convert sunlight into energy and mimic them. If we can do this, we will then be able to create photovoltaic paint for houses which would take a huge chunk out of energy bills.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Artist Statement
We chose to do our project on waste and how people can utilize it because this topic is actually very important to humans. Today we are living in a world with infinite demands and finite resources. The earth is a closed system and it is important for people to know that once we run out of resources, there is no where else to get what we need. We need to be smart now and start making Reduce, Reuse, Recycle a part of our everyday life. By doing so we will be able to preserve the resources we have longer. What we throw away is beneficial; it is just a matter of how we utilize it.
We also mention ways to start being beneficial. We talk about the incorporation of recycle bins and compost bins all around San Diego. An example would be the University of San Diego (USD). Even though they don’t have compost bins, they have recycle bins next to a majority of trashcans around campus. If places around San Diego took this initiative, then we could preserve so many resources because they will just keep getting re-used.
Our project is mainly going to be a flash based with some pictures and voiceovers. In our video we display interesting statistics that display the magnitude of how much we waste, that can actually be re-used.
Sources
HYPERLINK "http://www.cleanair.org/Waste/wasteFacts.html" http://www.cleanair.org/Waste/wasteFacts.html
HYPERLINK "http://www.kdheks.gov/kdsi/pg10_recycle_facts.html" http://www.kdheks.gov/kdsi/pg10_recycle_facts.html
HYPERLINK "http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Recycling_Statistics" http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Recycling_Statistics
HYPERLINK "http://sustainablog.org/2008/08/22/recycling-by-the-numbers-the-good-bad-and-ugly-of-statistics-and-comparisons/" http://sustainablog.org/2008/08/22/recycling-by-the-numbers-the-good-bad-and-ugly-of-statistics-and-comparisons/
We also mention ways to start being beneficial. We talk about the incorporation of recycle bins and compost bins all around San Diego. An example would be the University of San Diego (USD). Even though they don’t have compost bins, they have recycle bins next to a majority of trashcans around campus. If places around San Diego took this initiative, then we could preserve so many resources because they will just keep getting re-used.
Our project is mainly going to be a flash based with some pictures and voiceovers. In our video we display interesting statistics that display the magnitude of how much we waste, that can actually be re-used.
Sources
HYPERLINK "http://www.cleanair.org/Waste/wasteFacts.html" http://www.cleanair.org/Waste/wasteFacts.html
HYPERLINK "http://www.kdheks.gov/kdsi/pg10_recycle_facts.html" http://www.kdheks.gov/kdsi/pg10_recycle_facts.html
HYPERLINK "http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Recycling_Statistics" http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Recycling_Statistics
HYPERLINK "http://sustainablog.org/2008/08/22/recycling-by-the-numbers-the-good-bad-and-ugly-of-statistics-and-comparisons/" http://sustainablog.org/2008/08/22/recycling-by-the-numbers-the-good-bad-and-ugly-of-statistics-and-comparisons/
Monday, November 9, 2009
5 Annotated Sources
1.http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es802395e
This website discusses the idea of using landfill waste as an energy source. They talk about harvesting the gas and fumes from the incineration of landfill waste and converting that to energy, hence the name WTE which stands for waste to energy.
2.http://www.pnas.org/content/103/30/11206.abstract
This website gives a lot of of information on bio fuels and the positive effects they have on the environment and why they are a better alternative than fossil fuels. They also bring up the issue of bio fuel, food supply and how these two subjects connect with each other.
This website discusses the idea of using landfill waste as an energy source. They talk about harvesting the gas and fumes from the incineration of landfill waste and converting that to energy, hence the name WTE which stands for waste to energy.
2.http://www.pnas.org/content/103/30/11206.abstract
This website gives a lot of of information on bio fuels and the positive effects they have on the environment and why they are a better alternative than fossil fuels. They also bring up the issue of bio fuel, food supply and how these two subjects connect with each other.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Final Draft
Bed Prep and Compost
With the topic of bed preparation and compost there are a lot of issues. But with issues there are always solutions, and creating solutions is what my special assignment group is aiming to do so we can create a bountiful garden.
Bed preparation is preparing the bed of soil to grow crops. One method of bed preparation that is effective is double digging. Double digging makes the bed fluffy and very easy for roots to grow in and for water to reach the plants. The process of double digging is quite simple. To double dig a trench has to be dug across the trench horizontally (preferably) and 12 inches deep. Remove that soil and soften up the dirt that was dug out. Then put that soil back into the trench and repeat this process until the entire bed is double dug. It is important not to step on the dirt that has been double dug because this will compress the soil. Compression of soil won’t allow adequate water flow to the plants roots which will then in turn, kill the plants in the long run, and/or stunt their growth. Of course this is only one method used to prepare a bed for planting. There are a lot of different methods that can be used for any garden.
The accomplice to bed preparation is composting. Composting is the decomposing of bio-degradable and organic matter into a conditioner for the soil. Some things that are good for composting are: all organic waste from your garden and kitchen, all fruit, vegetables, flowers and leaves, tea and tea bags, coffee grounds, egg shells (preferably crushed), weeds(We should watch out for weed seeds that might make it through composting), grass, shredded twigs, pruning’s and cuttings. Also waste paper including tissues, kitchen towels, newspaper, printer paper, corrugated paper/card and cardboard but not too much; it should all be torn up or crumpled and well mixed in with the rest of the compost. Of course not everything can be composted. There are a lot of things that shouldn’t go anywhere near compost piles as well. Basically anything that is non bio-degradable (anything that cannot break down over time) cannot go into a compost pile for the obvious reason; nothing will happen. Non bio-degradable items include metals, plastics, radioactive waste, etc.
There is more than one way to compost. Different methods of composting include, pile compost, closed bin compost, and worm compost. These are just a few methods on the list of many. Pile composting (also known as heap composting) is a form of composting consisted of throwing bio-degradable materials into a heap and letting the pile decompose over a period of time. The pile should be turned periodically to ensure everything (bio-degradable material) is being decomposed. Closed bin composting is the exact same thing as heap composting except for the fact that all compost contained in a bin. Worm composting is a very good method of composting because worm castings are very rich in nitrogen and other nutrients vital to good soil. Just like bin composting, worm composting is done within a bin. To construct an optimal compost system is quite simple. A compost system can be made from the big would pallets that can be found at a liquor store, and plastic mesh. To start, find a spot where you want your compost bin to be. Once you have found a good location it is time to construct the compost system. Create a box made of three would pallets on the ground and tightly secure them. Once that is done you have created the base of your system. It is good to start some soil from the store, just to make sure the organic matter being put in the bin has something to decompose into. Once that been as been created, keep adding crushed organic matter and bio-degradable material.
When composting it is important to take in account the many different factors that come along with it. Some of these factors include water, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, temperature, and compost starters. It is important to have the right balance of each element because too much or too little of each thing and lengthen the composting process. Water is used in compost for several reasons. The main reason is the keep the soil moist, moist soil provides a home for all the bacteria breaking down matter. Another reason is because water is able to maintain the temperature of the compost when it is at high temperatures, allowing for maximum decomposition. Oxygen is the most essential element, without it there would be no bacteria to break down matter. Oxygen fuels the process that bacteria undergo in compost called respiration (C6H12O6+6O2 (yield) 6CO2+6H2O). Carbon is provides energy to the bacteria in compost. This is also what produces the heat in compost piles. Usually carbon can be found in a lot of dry brown matter. Usually things like wood, straw, and dead leaves. Nitrogen, another important element in composting serves as protein. It is used to reproduce more bacteria. Nitrogen can mainly be found in fruits and vegetables. Temperature is another important factor when composting. The compost heap shouldn’t pass or go below certain temperatures. The maximum temperature that a compost pile can with stand is around 160 °F because if the pile is too hot, the bacteria are at risk of dying because of such a high temperature. The minimum temperature that a compost pile can strive in is 32 °F. At this temperature a certain bacteria called psychrophile starts to multiply and warm up the pile.
With all the advancements in science applied to agriculture today, the future of our compost and crops for that matter isn’t looking so bright. Because of chemical and man-made pesticide use in current agricultural practices across America, farmers are unknowingly slowly killing their crops and the bacteria in the soil. Pesticides are any substances used to kill pests harmful to crops. Herbicides, another form of pesticide used to kill weeds around the crops are just as corrosive as pesticides. The thing is, pesticides and herbicides have chemicals that are actually harmful to the soil. Pesticides kill bacteria in the soil which play a key role in gathering nutrients for the soil. So basically, more pesticides equal more dead plants and less life in the soil, leading to poor nutrition in the soil.
There are pros and cons to pesticides. Some pros are that with the help of pesticides there are claims that people have been saved from diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and typhoid that they would have gotten if pesticides weren’t applied to the crops. Pesticides also destroy unwanted pests. Now some of the cons are that pesticides have a negative effect on wildlife and soil. One major con is that approximately 275 weeds and about 500 insects have adapted to or become resistant to at least one pesticide. Because of this adaptation to pesticides, farmers today are losing more crops then in the 1940’s[i].
Pesticides will soon be the major cause of decreasing crop yields each year. This is where the alternatives come in. There are many methods that can be taken into account that will help protect crops and leave absolutely no waste to the environment. The first alternative is the most tiresome of all, and that is handpicking all the weeds in the garden. If a garden is very large, this may not be the best option seeing that a farmer would have to weed the garden for an immense amount of time. Another alternative is technique called “trap planting”[ii]. This is where a plant(s) is/are purposefully planted away from the crops that the farmer wants to keep safe that will definitely attract pest. By using this method, pests will migrate to that plant and then that plant can be removed from the garden. Some examples of trap planting are:
The last method to mention is called “companion planting”[iv]. This is when a crop with a natural repellent is planted next to another crop that has a pest that the other crops repellent repel away. To put it in simpler terms, a crop that repels a certain pest is planted next to a crop that has pest that the first crop repels against. One example of companion planting is with beans. Beans can help a number of different crops. Beans are planted by crops such as “Corn Spinach, lettuce, rosemary, summer savory, dill, carrots, brassicas, beets, radish, strawberry and cucumbers”[v]. By doing so, beans repel California beetles, which are pests to the crops I just mentioned. Not only will alternative methods protect the compost, but also the plants growing in them as well.
Alternatives with pesticides aren’t the only thing that people today can do to perfect their gardens. We also need to take into account how the capacity at which we can compost. On average, a household wastes about 14% of the food bought[vi]. According to a study done at the University of Arizona in 2004, roughly 40-50% of produce ready for harvest never gets eaten[vii].With that being said, there needs to be an implementation of compost bins all around America, even around the world at some point. If All Americans composted the 14% of food wasted each year (taken into account what can and can’t be composted), not only would their food go to waste, but this alternative would make for a very sustainable household. As for the 40-50 percent of food wasted on farms, if they implement compost bins on their farm and start composting their food wasted, that would do wonders for their garden because it that would provide even more nutrients for the plants. If Americans could get started on this path of non wastefulness, we could improve the stated of farms across America, and nothing would go to waste.
Alternatives to well know practices known today are the key to a brighter and healthier future for all. All we need to do is take the time to do what is right and make the world a better place.
[i] “Pros and Cons of Pesticides.” 1998. Pesticides. 14. Oct 2009<http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/Biology/eh01/pesticides/pro,consof_pesticides.html>.
[ii] Ann R. Waters, “Alternatives to Pesticides”.2009 Pesticide Control Program. 14. Oct 2009<http://www.bernards.org/boards_commissions/green_team/pptdocfolder/Alternative%20Pesticides.pdf>.
[vi] “On average, American households waste 14 percent of their food purchases.” 2004. The Medical News. 14. Oct 2009<http://www.news-medical.net/news/2004/11/23/6445.aspx>.
[vi] http://uanews.org/node/10448
Sources
“Pesticides.”2009.Wikipedia. 14. Oct 2009<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticide>.
“Herbicides.”2009.Wikipedia. 14. Oct 2009<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbicide>.
“Some Tips on Making Compost” 2001. Envocare. 14. Oct 2009 <http://www.envocare.co.uk/makingcompost.htm>.
“Composting Methods.” University of Illinois Extension. University of Illinois. 14. Oct 2009<http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/homecompost/methods.html#5>.
“Composting with Red Wriggler Worms.” City Farmer. 2009. Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture. 14. Oct 2009<http://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.html>.
http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenprimer/g/Compost.htm
http://www.dinnercraft.com/2009/07/break-it-down-build-your-own-compost-bins/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composting
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Reasearch Question Annotated Sources
1. What classifies waste as being beneficial?
Link 1
This website explains how some waste may be considered to be beneficial. The state of Virginia is actually taking initiative to remove the name waste for all waste that is beneficial and can be reused.
Standards have been set to determine whether waste can be beneficial or not.
To be beneficial waste has to be useful of course. Here is a list of waste that is beneficial:
Link 1
This website explains how some waste may be considered to be beneficial. The state of Virginia is actually taking initiative to remove the name waste for all waste that is beneficial and can be reused.
Standards have been set to determine whether waste can be beneficial or not.
To be beneficial waste has to be useful of course. Here is a list of waste that is beneficial:
"Nonhazardous petroleum contaminated soil which has been treated to the satisfaction of the department in accordance with 9VAC20-80-700;
(6) Nonhazardous petroleum contaminated soil when incorporated into asphalt pavement products;
(7) Solid wastes which are approved in advance of the placement, in writing, by the department or which are specifically mentioned in the facility permit for use as daily cover material or other protective materials for landfill liner or final cover system components;
(8) Fossil fuel combustion products when used as a material in the manufacturing of another product (e.g., concrete, concrete products, lightweight aggregate, roofing materials, plastics, paint, flowable fill) or as a substitute for a product or material resource (e.g., blasting grit, roofing granules, filter cloth precoat for sludge dewatering, pipe bedding);
(9) Waste tire chips when used as a subbase fill for road base materials or asphalt pavements when approved by the Virginia Department of Transportation or by a local governing body;
(10) Waste tires used in the production of commercial products such as mats, pavement sealers, playground surfaces, brake pads, blasting mats, and other rubberized commercial products;
(11) Waste tire chips when used as backfill in landfill gas or leachate collection pipes, recirculation lines, and drainage material in landfill liner and cover systems, and gas interception or remediation applications."
This is just a short list of all the waste that can be beneficial.
2.
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/landrecwaste/lib/landrecwaste/municipal_waste/GP/WMGM011.pdf
This website discusses how construction waste from construction site can actually be turned into mulch and used as a soil additive. Also, the materials that are usually wasted at a construction site have different minerals that are able to leach in soil.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Special Assignment Research Paper
Bed Prep and Compost
With topic of bed preparation and compost there are a lot of issues. But with issues there are always solutions, and that is what my special assignment group is aiming to do so we can create a bountiful garden.
Bed preparation is preparing the bed to grow crops. One method of bed preparation that is effective is double digging. Double digging makes the bed fluffy and very easy for roots to grow in and for water to reach the plants. The process of double digging is quite simple. To double dig a trench has to be dug across the trench horizontally (preferably) and 12 inches deep. Remove that soil and soften up the dirt that was dug out. Then put that soil back into the trench and repeat this process until the entire bed is double dug. It is important not to step on the dirt that has been double dug because this will compress the soil. Compression of soil won’t allow adequate water flow to the plants roots which will then in turn, kill the plants in the long run. Of course this is only one method used to prepare a bed for planting. There are a lot of different methods that can be used for any garden.
The accomplice to bed preparation is composting. Composting is the decomposing of bio-degradable and organic matter into. Some things that are good for composting are: all organic waste from your garden and kitchen, all fruit, vegetables, flowers and leaves, tea and tea bags, coffee grounds, egg shells (preferably crushed). Some more things good for composting are: weeds, grass, shredded twigs, prunings and cuttings. Also Waste paper including tissues, kitchen towels, newspaper, printer paper, corrugated paper/card and cardboard but not too much; it should all be torn up or crumpled and well mixed in with the rest of the compost.
There is more than one way to compost. Different methods of composting include, pile compost, closed bin compost, and worm compost. These are just a few methods on the list of many. Pile composting (also known as heap composting) is a form of composting consisted of throwing bio-degradable materials into a heap and letting the pile decompose over a period of time. The pile should be turned periodically to ensure everything (bio-degradable material) is being decomposed. Closed bin composting is the exact same thing as heap composting except for the fact that all compost contained in a bin. Worm composting is a very good method of composting because worm castings are very rich in nitrogen and other nutrients vital to good soil. Just like bin composting, worm composting is done within a bin.
Of course not everything can be composted. There are a lot of things that shouldn’t go anywhere near compost piles as well. Basically anything that is non bio-degradable (anything that cannot break down over time) cannot go into a compost pile for the obvious reason; nothing will happen. Non bio-degradable items include metals, plastics, radioactive waste, etc.
With all the advancements in science applied to agriculture today, the future of our compost and crops for that matter isn’t looking so bright. Because of chemical and man-made pesticide use in current agricultural practices across America, farmers are unknowingly slowly killing their crops. Pesticides are any substances used to kill pests harmful to crops. Herbicides, another form of pesticide used to kill weeds around the crops are just as corrosive as pesticides. The thing is, pesticides and herbicides have chemicals that are actually harmful to the soil. Pesticides kill bacteria in the soil which play a key role in gathering nutrients for the soil. So basically, more pesticides equal more dead plants in the long run because of malnourished soil.
There are pros and cons to pesticides as viewed differently. Some pros are that with the help of pesticides there are claims that people have been saved from diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and typhoid. Also they destroy unwanted pests. Now some of the cons are that pesticides have a negative effect on wildlife and soil. One major con is that approximately 275 weeds and about 500 insects have adapted to become resistant to at least one pesticide. Because of this adaptation to pesticides, farmers today are losing more crops then in the 1940’s.
Pesticides will soon be the major cause of decreasing crop yields each year. After creating such nutrient compost, we don’t want that all to go to because we just don’t want to use pesticides. This is where the alternatives come in. There are many methods that can be taken into account that will help protect crops and leave absolutely no waste to the environment. The first alternative is the most tiresome of all, and that is handpicking all the weeds in the garden. If a garden is very large, this may not be the best option seeing that a farmer would have to weed the garden for an immense amount of time. Another alternative is technique called “trap planting”. This is where a plant(s) is/are purposefully planted away from the crops that the farmer wants to keep safe that will definitely attract pest. By using this method, pests will migrate to that plant and then that plant can be removed from the garden. The last method to mention is called “companion planting. This is when a crop with a natural repellent is planted next to another crop that has a pest that the other crops repellent repel away. To put it in simpler terms, a crop that repels a certain pest is planted next to a crop that has pest that the first crop repels against. Not only will alternative methods protect the compost, but also the plants growing in them as well.
Alternatives with pesticides aren’t the only thing that people today can do to perfect their gardens. We also need to take into account how the capacity at which we can compost. On average, a household wastes about 14% of the food bought. According to a study done at the University of Arizona, roughly 40-50% of produce ready for harvest never gets eaten. With that being said, there needs to be an implementation of compost bins all around America, even around the world at some point. If All Americans composted the 14% of food wasted each year (taken into account what can and can’t be composted), not only would their food go to waste, but this alternative would make for a very sustainable household. As for the 40-50 percent of food wasted on farms, if they implement compost bins on their farm and start composting their food wasted, that would do wonders for their garden. If Americans could get started on this path of non wastefulness, we could improve the stated of farms across America, and nothing would go to waste.
Alternatives to well know practices know today are the key to a brighter and healthier future for all. All we need to do is take the time to do what is right and make the world a better place.
Sources
“Pesticides.”2009.Wikipedia. 14. Oct 2009.
“Herbicides.”2009.Wikipedia. 14. Oct 2009.
Ann R. Waters, “Alternatives to Pesticides”.2009 Pesticide Control Program. 14. Oct 2009.
“Some Tips on Making Compost” 2001. Envocare. 14. Oct 2009.
“Composting Methods.” University of Illinois Extension. University of Illinois. 14. Oct 2009.
“Composting with Red Wriggler Worms.” City Farmer. 2009. Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture. 14. Oct 2009.
“On average, American households waste 14 percent of their food purchases.” 2004. The Medical News. 14. Oct 2009.
“Pros and Cons of Pesticides.” 1998. Pesticides. 14. Oct 2009.
With topic of bed preparation and compost there are a lot of issues. But with issues there are always solutions, and that is what my special assignment group is aiming to do so we can create a bountiful garden.
Bed preparation is preparing the bed to grow crops. One method of bed preparation that is effective is double digging. Double digging makes the bed fluffy and very easy for roots to grow in and for water to reach the plants. The process of double digging is quite simple. To double dig a trench has to be dug across the trench horizontally (preferably) and 12 inches deep. Remove that soil and soften up the dirt that was dug out. Then put that soil back into the trench and repeat this process until the entire bed is double dug. It is important not to step on the dirt that has been double dug because this will compress the soil. Compression of soil won’t allow adequate water flow to the plants roots which will then in turn, kill the plants in the long run. Of course this is only one method used to prepare a bed for planting. There are a lot of different methods that can be used for any garden.
The accomplice to bed preparation is composting. Composting is the decomposing of bio-degradable and organic matter into. Some things that are good for composting are: all organic waste from your garden and kitchen, all fruit, vegetables, flowers and leaves, tea and tea bags, coffee grounds, egg shells (preferably crushed). Some more things good for composting are: weeds, grass, shredded twigs, prunings and cuttings. Also Waste paper including tissues, kitchen towels, newspaper, printer paper, corrugated paper/card and cardboard but not too much; it should all be torn up or crumpled and well mixed in with the rest of the compost.
There is more than one way to compost. Different methods of composting include, pile compost, closed bin compost, and worm compost. These are just a few methods on the list of many. Pile composting (also known as heap composting) is a form of composting consisted of throwing bio-degradable materials into a heap and letting the pile decompose over a period of time. The pile should be turned periodically to ensure everything (bio-degradable material) is being decomposed. Closed bin composting is the exact same thing as heap composting except for the fact that all compost contained in a bin. Worm composting is a very good method of composting because worm castings are very rich in nitrogen and other nutrients vital to good soil. Just like bin composting, worm composting is done within a bin.
Of course not everything can be composted. There are a lot of things that shouldn’t go anywhere near compost piles as well. Basically anything that is non bio-degradable (anything that cannot break down over time) cannot go into a compost pile for the obvious reason; nothing will happen. Non bio-degradable items include metals, plastics, radioactive waste, etc.
With all the advancements in science applied to agriculture today, the future of our compost and crops for that matter isn’t looking so bright. Because of chemical and man-made pesticide use in current agricultural practices across America, farmers are unknowingly slowly killing their crops. Pesticides are any substances used to kill pests harmful to crops. Herbicides, another form of pesticide used to kill weeds around the crops are just as corrosive as pesticides. The thing is, pesticides and herbicides have chemicals that are actually harmful to the soil. Pesticides kill bacteria in the soil which play a key role in gathering nutrients for the soil. So basically, more pesticides equal more dead plants in the long run because of malnourished soil.
There are pros and cons to pesticides as viewed differently. Some pros are that with the help of pesticides there are claims that people have been saved from diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and typhoid. Also they destroy unwanted pests. Now some of the cons are that pesticides have a negative effect on wildlife and soil. One major con is that approximately 275 weeds and about 500 insects have adapted to become resistant to at least one pesticide. Because of this adaptation to pesticides, farmers today are losing more crops then in the 1940’s.
Pesticides will soon be the major cause of decreasing crop yields each year. After creating such nutrient compost, we don’t want that all to go to because we just don’t want to use pesticides. This is where the alternatives come in. There are many methods that can be taken into account that will help protect crops and leave absolutely no waste to the environment. The first alternative is the most tiresome of all, and that is handpicking all the weeds in the garden. If a garden is very large, this may not be the best option seeing that a farmer would have to weed the garden for an immense amount of time. Another alternative is technique called “trap planting”. This is where a plant(s) is/are purposefully planted away from the crops that the farmer wants to keep safe that will definitely attract pest. By using this method, pests will migrate to that plant and then that plant can be removed from the garden. The last method to mention is called “companion planting. This is when a crop with a natural repellent is planted next to another crop that has a pest that the other crops repellent repel away. To put it in simpler terms, a crop that repels a certain pest is planted next to a crop that has pest that the first crop repels against. Not only will alternative methods protect the compost, but also the plants growing in them as well.
Alternatives with pesticides aren’t the only thing that people today can do to perfect their gardens. We also need to take into account how the capacity at which we can compost. On average, a household wastes about 14% of the food bought. According to a study done at the University of Arizona, roughly 40-50% of produce ready for harvest never gets eaten. With that being said, there needs to be an implementation of compost bins all around America, even around the world at some point. If All Americans composted the 14% of food wasted each year (taken into account what can and can’t be composted), not only would their food go to waste, but this alternative would make for a very sustainable household. As for the 40-50 percent of food wasted on farms, if they implement compost bins on their farm and start composting their food wasted, that would do wonders for their garden. If Americans could get started on this path of non wastefulness, we could improve the stated of farms across America, and nothing would go to waste.
Alternatives to well know practices know today are the key to a brighter and healthier future for all. All we need to do is take the time to do what is right and make the world a better place.
Sources
“Pesticides.”2009.Wikipedia. 14. Oct 2009
“Herbicides.”2009.Wikipedia. 14. Oct 2009
Ann R. Waters, “Alternatives to Pesticides”.2009 Pesticide Control Program. 14. Oct 2009
“Some Tips on Making Compost” 2001. Envocare. 14. Oct 2009
“Composting Methods.” University of Illinois Extension. University of Illinois. 14. Oct 2009
“Composting with Red Wriggler Worms.” City Farmer. 2009. Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture. 14. Oct 2009
“On average, American households waste 14 percent of their food purchases.” 2004. The Medical News. 14. Oct 2009
“Pros and Cons of Pesticides.” 1998. Pesticides. 14. Oct 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Thoughts on the Seminar
Over I think the seminar went well. I think the seminar really hit off when we started discussing agriculture and having that be a requirement in schools for our future generations. I think this is a topic that a feel very strong about because it is a goal that can be obtained in a matter of a few years and not 50. By implementing health and cooking classes in elementary school that will set kids up for life to eat healthy and know how to cook healthy meals. I think this will be done soon! Well hopefully.
Another topic (which I think I brought up by the way) I was really into was the lead by example topic. Everyday Americans will do anything and get anything that celebrities have (well in most cases, not all). If celebrities start endorsing home gardens, or even the president, that will start a chain reaction within country of celebrity followers. If Oprah gets a garden and she tells people about it on her show, I am pretty sure within the following weeks hundreds of thousands of people would have one. This just shows the power of celebrities to benefit mankind!
Another topic (which I think I brought up by the way) I was really into was the lead by example topic. Everyday Americans will do anything and get anything that celebrities have (well in most cases, not all). If celebrities start endorsing home gardens, or even the president, that will start a chain reaction within country of celebrity followers. If Oprah gets a garden and she tells people about it on her show, I am pretty sure within the following weeks hundreds of thousands of people would have one. This just shows the power of celebrities to benefit mankind!
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