Production and Waste

In America and most of the world, we are consumers. This mentality really tends to show as we come into the holiday season. “Modern manufacturing of projects gets 70% of its materials from the lithosphere in the form of fossil fuels, stone, and metals, which are mixed and recombined. The materials are used briefly and then spread out across the planet in small amounts where they can never be retrieved” (Robertson, P. 249). This is so true, think of the last product you use, hair spray, a hummus container or a zip lock bag. As consumers we use those projects a fraction of the time they will sit in a landfill somewhere around the world. 

 http://www.districtenergy.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Avedore-1-and-2.jpg

Eco-Industrial Park is a new idea where others use the by products that come from the production of goods. An example is the Asnaes Power Statino in Denmark. The 1,500 mega-watt coal fired power plant is Denmark’s largest power station. Asnaes Power Statino produces heat, steam, fly ash and sludge from scrubbers. All of these by products of making electricity are then used in the community to make other products. There by making this electrical plant sustainable. The heat from the plant is taken to the town’s district heating system and to a local fish farm. The fly ash is sent to a cement factory. Lastly, the sludge from the plants scrubber is set to a plasterboard plant which creates sheetrock. This plant was designed to share the by products to be used in other areas of the town. If cities in America did this it would lower carbon emissions as well as cause the businesses to work together.   

http://www.iwisystems.com/sites/default/files/MSW-landfill.jpg

By not working together and using by products we are creating waste. “Every day the average person living in the US throws away 4.6 pounds of solid waste” ( Robertson, P. 268). Waste management is important in our society. Denmark seens to have it down. In America most waste is collected through Municipal solid waste, meaning the local town or city is responsible for the collects of the populations waste. “64.5 percent of solid waste in the US is sent to a landfill” (Robertson, P. 271). Over the last century, landfills have changed from holes in the ground to engineering marvels. These craters in our earth are now lined with special materials to prevent toxic materials into our soil. Also pipes at the bottom allow methane gas to be realized.

The remaining 35.5% of solid waste is incinerated. Though incinerating lowers the volume of solid waste by almost 90%. That 10% of ash is full of dioxions and other pollutants. What storing the ash, it must be done with the upmost care, as to now enter the soil or ground water.

Food and what we don't know about it

Wow is really the only word I have to describe the movie “Food INC”. I do believe that animals were put on this earth to benefit humans but I also believe that all living things deserve dignity and respect. The way almost every animal in the film “Food INC” was grossly mistreated. There were multiple things wrong but one that got me all bothered was when all the baby chicks were just thrown on conveyor belts and then it looks like tagged and disrupted to different chicken farms.  Rather than growing and developing on a natural timeline, chickens are given antibiotics to grow at a rapid speed. They will be full grown in 44 days as opposed to 90 days. One result is the bones aren’t able to keep with the rapid growth and weight gain so the chickens have trouble walking more than 4 steps. Causing them to be sitting in their own feces.

http://whats--hot.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Food_Inc_Quad.jpg

Pigs were also mistreated. They were herded on to large semi-trucks and hauled to the butcher houses. These butcher houses butcher over 36,000 pigs a day. They take in huge herds and stun them and cut off their oxygen to suffocate them. Then the process of butchering can be done. I’ll be honest; I was blithely unaware of how this process went and how inhumane it is. It saddens me how many people are unaware of how their meet comes to them. Now one thing that was wonderful to see, was the one farmer who did things in small non-commercial like way. He did most of the work outside in the open air, which initially the FDA did not approve but after testing samples of his mean products, they were cleaner than commercial butchers. It was a peaceful environment for the animals that were about to be butchered as well as for the employees.

http://www.schwabinsagency.com/img/~www.schwabinsagency.com/farm%20pic.jpg

 The book also focused not only the safety of the animals that are involved in our food supply, but also the way we have genetically modified our food and all the additives we put in our food to make it last longer. According to the FDA “out of 3,000 food additives used in the US, only about 2,000 have detailed toxicological date available” (Robertson, P. 228). That means the remaining 1,000 have unknown origins. Being more transparent with how our crops and livestock are raised will be imperative over the coming years as these multiple billon dollar industries come crazing down.

https://bionews-tx.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/FDA-warning-for-PAH-drug-615s6jx9yo5fdxkb2qd0szgk2p8cmftjgdzev9bu4ey.gif

Livable Cities

Statistics show that over the next 40 years populations are only increasing. This increase will take place in cities, which will require them expand outward or increase within. Over those next 40 years, our already old infrastructure will reach the end of its life and need to be replaced. With all this infrastructure needing to be replaced, city and urban planners have the incredible opportunity to design and build the next generation of livable cities. “A livable city provides mixed-use development with safe and healthy neighborhoods, places for social interactions, interconnected green space, food, clean air and water, power from renewable energy, multiple modes of easy-to-use transportations, economic opportunity, and social inclusion” (Robertson, P. 208).

http://oi46.tinypic.com/6o216s.jpg

Developing and planning these livable cities presents new challenges of incorporating the new renewable energy sources, being climate neutral, and many other requirements. Many professionals will be enlisted to use their specialty to plan healthier and sustainable cities. Also, communities will need to come together to find creative solutions and help those in charge make decisions that are right for their home. “When innovation solutions come from members of a community, the solutions are far more likely to be implemented and to remain durable elements of community life” (Robertson, P. 212).

There are five D’s when it comes to urban planning and developing a city: density, diversity, design, destination accessibility, and distance to transit. Density refers to the number of people or dwelling units per acre. If planned correctly, density can have a positive effect on our environment. A great example is New York City; the city has per capita less than 1/3 the US average carbon dioxide emissions.  This is because most everything is walking distance, and there is reliable public transportation. Mixed use buildings and walkable neighborhoods also play an important role. Buildings had retail and public space on the lower floors than residential on the upper floors it would allow residents to walk to pretty much all their destinations. This provides independent to those are too young to drive and those who are too old to drive. Also, it allows people to get out of their rat race and walk outside and enjoy some vitamin D and fresh air.

http://www.ronbeitler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/walkable-photo.jpg

In the coming years, cities will be impacted by changing climates in many ways. Heat waves, drought, changing precipitation patterns, and changes in the ecosystem structure thereby affecting a cities ability to provide local food sources. Due to changing times, many cities are developing climate action plans. “These plans typically have parallel goals; to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and move toward climate neutrality to help reduce the severity of climate changes (Robertson, p. 220). So far the cities of Chicago, Seattle, and New York City have developed detailed plans. Some of the plans outline the need to increase the use of locally produced materials, increase renewable energy, protect water resource and promote high-performance buildings.

http://wun.ac.uk/images/globalchallenges/climatechange.jpg

Energy

Energy is something that all living things depend upon. “Plants use flows of energy from the sun to make food. Humans use food to power their bodies and a variety of other sources to carry on complex activities in the modern world”. (Robertson, p. 158).  Today most energy is produced from fossil fuels, a nonrenewable resource. However we do have renewable resources on earth such as wind and sunlight, which are being constantly replenished. That’s the problem with fossil fuels are replenished but take hundreds of millions of years, which for humans sake is never.

https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/41/91641-004-842864B7.jpg

There are three main fossil fuels, oil, natural gas, and coal.  Oil is a combination of hundreds of complex hydrocarbon molecules that have fossilized over hundreds of millions of years. Drilling for oil is extremely complex and takes up to six different exploratory drills to find a oil depository. This extraction process is extremely time consuming and generates waste drilling fluid called “drill mud” (Robertson, P. 159). Over the years land based fields have become depleted so oil companies are turning to drilling in the ocean. 

The petroleum that is extracted from the ground is not ready to be used it must be refined. The Petroleum must be boiled and distilled in to different grades of fuel used in various industries. Like everything else in life, it is good in moderation, same rules applies to oil. If we used it in moderation and did not rely on it to the extent we do today the world would be a much better place. If oil reserve rain dry today, the western world would go into panic. Gas would sky rocket in price because there was no more supply and people would need to change the way they function in todays society. A saying my grandmother always says, “it is the way it is, because you set it up that way”. This is true for oil. We rely on it to much.

https://enlightenme.com/images/2014/08/fossil-fuel-energy-pros-and-cons.jpg

We as a country and people group need to start looking into more renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. The nice thing about these sources is, they are free and they are not going anywhere anytime soon. To produce energy, mechanical energy is used to turn a generator. “A generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy”. (Robertson, P. 164). For example, wing can turn fan blades that then turn the generator to create electricity. Another sources of renewable energy is hydroelectrically power. A great example is Niagara Falls. The amount of kinetic energy the falls creates with the millions of gallons of water that fall each and everyday is incredible. By placing some turbines near the falls, the current the water moves at will create an astounding amount of clean renewable energy.  

http://www.kmbdg.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/renewable_energy_sources.jpg

What is Pollution ?

Pollution is word we hear a lot in today’s society. How different companies are polluting the soil from the chemicals they use to grow plants, to people polluting the air with our hairspray. Pollution is a broad word with many different means but really boils down to anything that is unwanted and harmful to something. Noise can even be pollution. For example in Orange County, they have a noise pollution ordinance that requires plans to shut their engines off as they approach the airport . This is because of the homes that are around the airport and to not cause any sound pollution to the residences surrounding the Orange County Airport.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Qantas_b747_over_houses_arp.jpg

Pollution comes from a source and is transported through the environment.  “Toxins that are water-soluble move through the environment easily because water is everywhere on this water planet” (Robertson, P. 137). A great example locally is in Fort Myers. Farmers with agriculture  on or near the Caloosahatchee that use harmful pesticides or fertilizers affect the entire eco system. Once it rains on the plants, the water then drains from the plants caring the pesticides or fertilizers moving them into drains that empty into the river. This causes the ecosystems in the river and ocean to be negatively affected. Including our fresh water supply.

http://www.picturesfrom.com/fort-myers/caloosahatchee-bridge.JPG

Air pollutants are the number one pollutants that cause health issues. This is because our entire biosphere is surrounded by air and with wind spreading it around. To help combat air pollutants the United States pass a “Clean Air Act” which required the EPA to publish a list of hazardous air pollutants and to set maximum levels for them. “The EPA identified six major air pollutants, know as criteria pollutants and they are, particles, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, lead, and ground-level ozone (Robertson, P. 138). A fun fact is that all six of these hazardous air pollutants are produced from the burning of fossil fuels; for example gas-burning cars produce carbon monoxide.

Pollutants can also be nature. Radon gas is a great example of naturally occurring gas. Not only is it natural but also it is radioactive. “Radiation at high enough levels can damage tissue and cause cancer to develop” (Robertson, P. 147). Normally, Radon is found in homes and is not at a level dangerous enough to be harmful.  When my family was selling our home in Naperville, Illinois, we had a specialist come out to test to see if there was any Radon in the frame of the house. Sure enough there were Radon and they put in a special venting system to realize the gas.

http://www.seacoastinspections.com/houseradon.jpg

Ecosystems and Habitat

Extinction, what is exactly does that mean and how does it affect us? Population and extinction are directly related to each other. If a population is going down, then they are about to become extinct and have a greater chance of becoming extinct. If population is up then they have more of a population to multiply to recover from possible extinction. “Individual characteristics in a population change slightly over time with genetic variations” (Robertson, P. 114). This is true, over millions of years we, as humans have evolved to what we are today. We are even still evolving into what we will be in the future.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhdTr2XFp8FvHVadabT6_kAd1ppue1Z6dPWxg9xnw1rx4cK2x62WfImWyHHQu2F-J0dgv-OmCIhMPW75M035QD5RoYAD3XLn_WmV8RnMhrQXVoVtJmG5jlF9eSPvoCNZx7JKaaM7_2p0/s1600/dinosaurs-wallpaper-4%25281%2529.jpg

Extinctions can have many causes. 64 million years ago a meteor hit somewhere in the Yucatan Peninsula causing the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. Some scientists believe we are in our sixth recorded extinction period. “Extinction rates have reached 1,000 times the background extinction rate” (Robertson 115, P. 115). Some figures they have come up with are 20% of species will be extinct by 2030 and 50% of species will be extinct by 2050. Both of those numbers are alarming. The cause of extinction to develop astonishing numbers is human activities.

Once of the larges human activities we are responsible for is habitat destruction. In the sea we are dropping millions of yards of nets destroying and killing eco systems. Going through forests and cutting down every tree in sight using the clearcutting method. “Clearcutting is a method of logging in which every tree in a given area is cut regardless of size” (Robertson, P. 117). This method extinguishes the animals and ecosystem that call that forest their home.

http://badhanamit.weebly.com/uploads/5/0/6/9/50697175/6442998_orig.jpg

 Small things also have a huge effect on habitats. Habitat fragmentation is also affecting ecosystems. This fragmentation occurs when a road or human involvement cuts a habitat in different areas. Rather then just separating the areas, this creates an entirely new eco system causing the animals and plants to adapt to these changes.

Pollution and Population are affecting our Ecosystems and Habitat. All living things need water at some point to sustain life. Fresh drinking water is vital to all ecosystems. Pollution within our fresh water not only affects animals and plants but it effects humans. Population also is affecting habitats. Due to a rapid growth in population, everyone wants the American dream of owning a home and back yard. Urban development causes us to destroy many habitats for animals, causing them to move, causing evening more problems or them dying because they no longer have a home. We need to come up with a solution for better urban development. Yes safe and affordable housing is important to our US economy but at the expense of our plants and animal eco systems is not ok.

http://www.crystalinks.com/pollution.jpg

Water Conservation

Earth is known as the water planet. “Over 70% of the planet is covered by water” (Robertson, P. 94). Ironically only a small percentage is fresh, ready to use drinking water. The rest is either salt water or fresh water that is frozen or no accessible to humans. Most of the world’s fresh water comes from lakes or pounds that is replenished by rain. This is a naturel hydrologic cycle. Since this is a cycle, the problem is not that the world is running out of water, we are just pulling water out of the cycle faster than it is being replaced. The is a symptom of overpopulation, uneven disruption, and overuse.

Some places in US get very little rain and rely on other parts of the country to supply water. An example of this is California. The southern 2/3 of the state has a high demand of water for consumption by humans and for agriculture. This area only gets a few inches each year. The northern part of the state receives hundreds of inches of rain each year. “A massive system of pies, tunnels, and canals call the Central Valley Project moves water from northern California to the cites and farm lands to the south” (Robertson, P. 94).

https://www.propublica.org/images/ngen/gypsy_og_image/california-drought-riverbed-AP_1901880237170-FB.jpg

Water conservation is one way to fix the water crisis we are having, this can be done in two different ways through the supply or demand side. In the supply side, “we can find new ways to harvest rainwater, desalinizing seawater or protecting an aquifer or a watershed that supplies drinking water” (Robertson, P. 101). New York City rain into problems with their drinking water in the 1900’s because of increased development in the Catskill Mountains. The water was no longer up to EPA standards for drinking water. They had two options, build and operate an extremely expensive water filtrations plant or purchase forest land to create one of the largest watershed communities in the country. New York ended up doing the ladder. The EPA has certainty tested the water and it is one of the cleanest drinking waters in the country. On the demand side, initiatives include installing low-flow plumping fixtures, repairing leaks and recycling water from cooling systems.

https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/education/watersheds/img/watershed-promo3.jpg

Fun facts, toilet flushing is the largest single use of water in the United States. Before low flow bath fixtures, most toilets would use on average 4-7 gallons per flush. Now after the EPAct, most toilets use only 1 or less gallon per flush. That is a great start to conserving water.  Other water conservation efforts are using grey water, which is water collected from sinks, showers, clothes washers and other similarly activities. This “grey water” is not up to drinking water standards but can be used to water plants, use in toilets and recreational use.

 http://inhabitat.com/nyc/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2012/03/low-flow-toilet.jpg