Nayeon+K

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= = ~ Sustainability ~ = Sustainability is the ability for one to sustain, or maintain themselves. To say something is sustainable means that it is at a condition that can be continued and constantly preserved or upheld.

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= WEEK 3: What is Biomass? = How can biomass be used?

As our class covered energy sources this week, looking into renewable forms of energy and participated in an activity involving solar panels, biomass was one of the sources frequently mentioned. However, I decided to particularly focus in on biomass because it was something that I hadn't heard of when related to energy - the only biomass that I was aware of was as something that could be utilized to measure the overall growth of a plant. However, biomass, too, and the way it functions isn't much different from some of the solar panels, and an extension of the energy that the sun can provide for us. Biomass fuels range from wood, garbage, crops, and even landfill - they basically come from things that had once lived. Consequently, they're known as "natural material".
 * In instances such as wood, garbage, and crops, the energy is from photosynthesis. When they were alive, the photosynthesis that they carried out using solar energy is converted into chemical energy and stored within them. Even after they die, some of it remains. This trapped energy can be released and converted into "biomass energy".
 * This energy is often released by burning, which commonly converts organic matter into energy (like how a fireplace can turn wood into heat through combustion). The heat is capable of turning shafts, which can then generate electricity.
 * 1. Energy from the sun is converted and stored in plants. When the plants die or are cut, they are delivered to the bunker.
 * 2. The delivered material is burned there in a boiler, where energy can be released as heat and effectually used by creating steam.
 * 3. The steam is capable of turning the various blades and shafts that make up turbines and generators.
 * 4. The coils and magnets that also make up turbines and generators create charged magnetic fields, powered by the kinetic energy of the motion the steam can create. The charged magnetic fields will then produce electricity.
 * "Landfilling", the main method for disposal of solid wastes in the US, can be used as a biomass fuel because of its ability to produce significant amounts of landfill gas (primarily methane). Even when kept in an oxygen-free, relatively dry environment, these gases re produced. LFG (landfill gas) can be generated by the natural degradation of MSW by anaerobic micro-organisms. The gases are capable of causing fires and explosions, making some landfills quite dangerous, but when used properly, the gas can be collected. The system used to collect the gas frequently is a series of wells drilled into the landfill and connected by a plastic piping system, called a microturbine, and the collected gas could then be used as electricity.
 * Even dead animals can be left to rot, and thereby release biogas (AKA LFG) to be converted to electricity.
 * Human and animal wastes can even occasionally be converted into methane when utilizing a machine called "Anaerobic Digester".

Here is a quick video you can see to recap this process that biomass can undergo!: media type="youtube" key="HZoPNJGi6ig" width="560" height="315"

Some Pros of Biomass Energy: Some Cons of Biomass Energy:
 * It's Renewable
 * As covered earlier, biomass energy is a renewable energy source. The assets that they require are renewable (i.e. planting more trees or plants), and waste is always constantly produced. Furthermore, they can use leftover scraps from other businesses, such as lumber.
 * Reduces Dependence on Fossil Fuels
 * It is capable of replacing what fuel does. Fuel is a nonrenewable source that we must find a replacement for, as we will run out of it soon enough - that's the purpose of renewable energy. Furthermore, fuel harms the environment with the noxious chemicals that it releases.
 * Carbon Neutral
 * Unlike coal or gas, biomass fuel doesn't produce any more carbon because the carbon discharged was already a part of nature due to the plant's pre existence. When coal or gas releases carbon, it has been sequestered for years and eras ago.
 * Widely Available / Reduce Waste
 * Biomass can use organic waste (dead producers, animal carcasses, etc), and even landfill, which are plentiful, and otherwise takes up room on the increasingly crowded Earth.
 * Can Be Used in Many Forms
 * Biomass can create different products from different matter. It can produce methane gas, bio diesel, and other biofuels, but also as heat or steam, and generate electricity.
 * Not Co mpletely Clean
 * When burning even natural materials, pollution is created, which can nearly be as harmful as the burning of coal.
 * Potentially lead to Deforestation
 * Wood is a major source of biomass energy, and if not watched, the desire to produce energy on a large scale could lead to deforestation as people chop down trees to burn.
 * Comparatively inefficient
 * Biodiesel products like ethanol that biomass produces is relatively inefficient compared to gasoline.
 * Expensive
 * The transportation of resources and the gathering of them can be costly, and actually end up costing more than fossil fuels. The production of biomass plants themselves are pricey.

As the Earth ages and people continue to use up our natural resources, renewable sources of energy must be expanded upon ( http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/14379/washington-law-expands-generation-of-biomass-recs ). Biomass is one of them. After looking at some of both its pros and cons, what's your take on expanding it?

ain method for disposal of municipal and household solid wastes or refuse

= WEEK 2: Farming in Space = Utilizing Aquaponics

As people begin to explore more into the idea of creating a sustainable lifestyle or method in space, aquaponics has emerged as a potential possibility.

Created by the University of Virgin Islands, ** aquaponics ** combine "aquaculture" and "hydroponics", creating a mutually beneficial relationship between fish and plants as they combine "aquaculture" and "hydroponics" to assist both "life on land" and "life below water". Both methods originally had their own faults - the water used for either of them could be continually used, as fish produce waste highly concentrated with ammonia, while plants drain the nutrients of the water that they are originally placed in. However. when combined together, they are capable of canceling out each other's flaws - the plants are capable of thriving with the "nutrients" or wastes garnered from the fish, while the fish can then reuse the now purified (via plants) water.
 * Aquaculture - raising fish in a controlled environment
 * Hydroponics - farming plants without soil
 * Green Sky Growers (Learn more here: http://greenskygrowers.com/ ) were formed by a biologist and a farmer cooperating, and they now possess a rooftop farm (an example of "sustainable cities and communities") that integrates both vertical farming and aquaponics to produce major quantities of tilapia, using 10% less water than its production requires in the first place. They also produce a variety of other vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes, etc) that are sold in the markets below.
 * Fusing agriculture with modern technology, water could be further conserved, which is a necessity. Through various activities in class, with the video predicting 2028, water was pinpointed as the most sought for / limited resource in the future.

While such experiments / businesses are beginning to take flight, NASA is more interested in a specific form of ** aquaponics - ** aeroponics **. **
 * **Aeroponics**- growing plants in an air or mist environment with minimal water and no soil.
 * "//Aeroponics systems can reduce water usage by 98 percent, fertilizer usage by 60 percent, and pesticide usage by 100 percent, all while maximizing crop yields. Plants grown in the aeroponic systems have also been shown to uptake more minerals and vitamins, making the plants healthier and potentially more nutritious."// - NASA
 * The aeroponic system is principled rather simply, compared to the impacts it can have on the environment, with a few characteristics:
 * The roots are hung in the air to absorb the maximum amount of oxygen, allowing them to grow faster than the traditional method.
 * Oftentimes there is no growing media. The plants are suspended in baskets or closed cell foam plugs surrounding the stem that are connected to media type="youtube" key="ZjnDAQnCeIo" width="458" height="269" align="left"the growing chamber. The growing chamber is sprayed with nutrient solutions at regular intervals, keeping the roots moist while providing them with nutrients.
 * The growing chamber should be light proof, holding in humidity and excluding pests while balancing it with fresh oxygen and nutrients.
 * The water droplet size also plays a major role
 * Roots exposed to a fine mist allow plants to develop faster, and bushier, providing them with more surface area to take in nutrients.
 * Roots sprayed with a small stream of water tend to be slower than the prior, and smaller. too.


 * Aeroponics is a potential source of food production for astronauts in space, while producing fresh air and clean drinking water. It could also reduce the weight of the overall food the astronauts must take, leaving more room to bring supplies onto the ship.


 * With continuing modernization like this, will it really become possible for humankind to exist and thrive in space? **

= WEEK 1 : ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF HOME GARDENING = Why should people attempt to "Grow Green"?

Thinking about the upcoming sustainability project, I wanted to come up with something that even I could do myself and so far is considering the idea of a home garden, which could play a role in various sustainability goals, such as "Good Health and Well Being", "Responsible Consumption and Production", and even "Climate Action".

Purchasing organically grown, locally grown food has been promoted for a while now as a small yet sure method to help out the environment and personal health at the same time, but home gardening is an idea that simply takes it a step further and expands upon it.

How?
Every creature plays a role within the intertwined web, encouraging other life forms: birds could spread seeds to provide more plantlife, leading to insects, and so on. An effective garden can create a small self-sustaining ecosystem of its own, good for overall larger ecosystem of the planet.
 * Reduces Energy
 * * The food that we consume have to get from somewhere, whether it is from the relatively nearby farms or overseas, and the energy it takes to transport all of them, and by producing at least some of the food one consumes, this energy can be minimized.
 * * Produce is estimated to roughly travel 1500 mi before consumption, and using a typical semi-truck, each pound of food releases 0.18 lbs of CO2 into the atmosphere purely through transportation. Another example is that a 5.2oz of broccoli, roughly worth 50 calories, is associated with requiring roughly 90.3 calories on its transportation.
 * [|https://books.google.com/books?id=9cef41L_nVEC&lpg=PT3&ots=eQLJjj_J8M&dq...]
 * http://theecoguide.org/whats-environmental-impact-growing-your-own-food
 * Air Cleaners
 * * It has been drilled into most students' heads from a young age the benefits of plants, and how it could save the earth, and ap biology was no exception. Plants are effective air cleaners, absorbing air pollutants (such as VOCs) instead of only carbon dioxide, while releasing clean O2 and fragrances.
 * Prevent Climate Change
 * * While learning metabolism, we could accurately see how plants can take in CO2 to produce O2. A garden can save great amounts of CO2. Carbon is one of the greenhouse gases that is currently trapping heat and keeping it in the atmosphere.
 * *For instance, a sq ft of garden space can grow rougly 1.5 lb of cherry tomatoes according to thr Louisiana State University Ag Center. 150 lb of cherry tomatoes grown can keep about 27 lbs of CO2 out of the atmosphere, reducing one's carbon footprint.
 * Promotes Health
 * *The healthy vegetables that are produced can function as a bonus, but gardening itself can be a form of exercise. Furthermore, various scientific studies have proven the calming effects that merely looking at a garden or plants can have on the heart, muscle tension, brain electrical signals, and more- it can be therapeutic.
 * Save Money
 * * Growing one's own vegetables can cut down the grocery bills, especially on pricey organic goods. Furthermore, it can even be viewed as a form of investment. Tasteful and effective landscaping and gardening can increase the overall value of a home. Effectual gardening can reduce up to 10% in bills to maintain a home's temperature, cooling in the summer and providing protection in the winter.
 * Ecosystem
 * * During ecology, the complexity of food webs and ecosystems were illustrated as we all made our individual webs. The "larger" or widely incorporated and diverse an ecosystem is, the greater its resilience and ability to survive. A garden provides a habitat for various life forms and encourage birds and insects to thrive and reoroduce.
 * Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
 * * This is a topic that will further be expanded upon on future posts, but home gardening is something that can encompass all three. Energy and money can be reduced, but various materials that would otherwise be waste implemented to produce instead. For instance, food wastes can be used as fertilizers, and certain inedible parts of, such as the head of scallions planted to produce a whole scallion. If indoors, plastic containers destined for trash could be rescued to act as pots, and more![[image:18788055_424895727895629_1026689440_n.jpg width="325" height="334"]][[image:18766960_424895737895628_810773647_o - Edited.png width="443" height="327" align="left"]]