“Going Green”

Brief History and the pros and cons of some Green Methods such as organic gardening/farming, natural methods of pest control, hydroponics,

xeriscaping, energy efficient homes and appliances, and hybrid cars.

What is Going Green?

Well in simple terms Going Green means being environmentally conscious.

Environmentally conscious means knowing about how things effect the environment and practicing methods that have minimal effect on the environment, in turn reducing your impact on the environment.

Brief History of Going Green

• The push for the Modern Environmental Movement began with the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring in 1962.

• The book documented the effects of chemicals on the environment, especially in bird populations.

• It brought attention to the misuse of chemicals and the misinformation about the chemical DDT, which was used to combat malaria.

• Why are compounds with chlorine so potentially dangerous?

Brief History of Going Green

• The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970.

• An estimated 200 million people participated across the country, making it the largest demonstration ever in American History.

Brief History of Going Green

• June 9, 1970 – Environmental Protection Agency established

• October 2, 1970 – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration established

Green Practices Pros/Cons

• Organic Gardening/Farming• Natural Pest Control• Hydroponics• Xeriscaping• Energy Efficient Homes/Appliances• Hybrid Cars

Organic Gardening/Farming

Agricultural methods where there is little to no use of chemical fertilizers, chemical

pesticides, and genetically engineered seeds.

Organic Gardening/Farming

Pros

• Healthy for soil, crops, and you

• Preserves good garden bugs• Reduces erosion• Improve Water

conservation• Saves money in the long run• Reduces organic wastes in

landfills

Cons

• Time consuming• Costly to begin• smaller crop yields• Inconsistent results

A great read for looking at Agribusiness and it’s effects on society

• The Omnivore’s Dilemma

• by Michael Pollan• Published April, 2006• Discusses food chains– Industrial – Pastoral – Personal

Pest Control

To control pest organisms, humans have developed Pesticides – chemicals used to kill or control populations of organisms that humans consider undesirable.

» Insecticides (insect killers)» Herbicides (weed killers)» Fungicides (fungus killers)» Rodenticides (rat and mouse killers)

However, plants have been producing natural chemicals to ward off, deceive, or poison herbivores that try to feed on them, since the beginning of their existence.

First-generation pesticides – natural chemicals borrowed from plants.

Second-generation pesticides – produced in the laboratory.

Pest Control

• The question becomes “Do we use conventional or natural pesticides for our agricultural needs?”

• IPM – integrated pest management

• This program evaluates each crop and its pests as part of an ecological system. Then farmers develop a control program that uses a combination of cultivation, biological controls, and chemical tools and techniques, applied in a coordinated way.

• The Habitable Planet - Agriculture Unit 7

Synthetic Pest Control

Pros

• Save Lives• Increase Food Supplies• Increase Profits for Farmers• Work Fast• When used properly their

health risks are very low relative to their benefits

• Newer pest control methods are safer and more effective than many older ones

Cons

• Accelerate genetic resistance

• Put farmers on a financial treadmill

• Kill beneficial biota• Cause pollution• Kill wildlife• Threaten human health

Natural Pest Control

Method

• Fool Pest with variety of cultivation practices

• Provide homes for pest utilizing polyculture

• Implant genetic resistance• Bring in natural enemies• Use pheromone traps• Use hormones• Scalding practices

Cons

There are only three major cons when utilizing natural pest control methods.

• Time consuming• Costly• Require high level of skill

Hydroponics

Hydroponics is the method of organically growing plants without soil by providing all

nutrients in the plants water supply.

Hydroponics

Pros• Outdoor pests cannot harm

the produce• Plants grow faster, bigger,

and can be grown year round• Allows for small indoor

organic gardens• Uses low amounts of water• No need for synthetic

pesticides or fertilizers• Plants are more nutritious

Cons

• Systems are expensive• Have to get supplies

through a specialty shop• There can be swift changes

in the chemistry of the growing medium

• Requires more research, attention, and care

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is the landscaping and gardening practices that eliminate the use of irrigation.

Is not the same as “zero-scaping” where much of the land cover is hard surfaces with few accent plants.

Xeriscaping emphasis does not necessarily have to involve native plants, but rather plants that are drought resistant. Xeriscaping can still produce

beautiful landscapes while drastically reducing the amount of water used with traditional lawns.

Xeriscaping

Pros

• Reduces Water use• Makes more water

available for other uses• Designs take advantage of

average rainfall• Plants survive during

water restrictions• Can be visually more

interesting than lawns• Saves money

Cons

• Unsuitable for traditional uses of Kentucky bluegrass, such as baseball and soccer fields

• Sometimes deemed aesthetically unpleasant

Energy-Efficient Homes and Appliances

Energy-Efficient Homes are homes that require little energy to heat, cool, and provide electricity. They typically are comprised of Energy-Efficient Appliances.

The less electricity you are using in your home, means the less polluting emissions are being released into the atmosphere by your power plant.

There are many technologies and appliances available to help achieve an Energy-Efficient Home.

Energy-Efficient Homes and Appliances

Technologies• Geothermal Heating• Solar Panels• Solar Heating• Wind Turbines• LED bulbs and fluorescent

Lighting• Energy-Efficient Windows

Appliances• Low flow toilets and

faucets• Energy and Water Saving

Washers/Dryers• Energy Saving Electronics,

TV’s, computers,• Tankless Water Heaters

Energy-Efficient Homes and Appliances

Pros

• Can save money• Reduce energy needed• Reduce electricity use• Save water• Minimize pollution

Cons

• Expensive to install/repair• Over use• Not aesthetically appealing• Insufficient energy needs• Long pay-off

Hybrid Cars

And now, introducing the world’s most environmentally friendly vehicle.

JUST KIDDING!ITS’ RIGHT THERE

48 miles to the gallon and 108

mph top speed. We got this.

Dude, they’ve got a cannon.

Hybrid Cars

Hybrid Cars merge internal combustion engines with electric motors for better fuel efficiency. They can be classified by their drivetrains as Series or

Parallel.

Series Drivetrain – includes electric motor, gasoline engine, computer controls, battery and generator. Only the electric motor directly turns the wheels. (larger battery & motor, smaller gas engine)

Parallel Drivetrain – include gasoline engine, electric motor, computer controls, and battery. Both the engine and motor connect to the transmission to turn the wheels. (larger gas engine, smaller battery & motor)

Note: Series are ideal for suburban and urban driving, while the Parallel is better for highway driving. Why?

Hybrid Cars

Pros

• Clean Energy• Performance

Improvements• Incentives• Regenerative Braking• Lower Fossil Fuel

Dependence• Lighter weight• Smaller engine• Higher resale value

Cons

• Lower Power output• Poorer handling• Higher center of Gravity• Expensive• Higher Maintenance Cost• Quieter than conventional

BMW i8

Specs:

• Sale Price: 135,700• 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds• 362hp and 420 lb-ft torque• 94 mpg fuel efficiency• 220-volt Level 2 charger

battery that charges completely in 1.5 hrs

Who says going green can’t be done with gusto and style?

ReferencesEnvironmental History

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/earthdays/

Organic Farming

http://www.small-farm-permaculture-and-sustainable-living.com/advantages_and_disadvantages_organic_farming.html

Hydroponics

http://livinggreenmag.com/2013/02/07/green-business/pros-and-cons-of-hydroponic-farming-infographic/

Xeriscaping

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeriscaping

Energy Efficiency

Living in the Environment: Miller/Spoolman; 2011, 16th edition. Pages 400-411.

Pesticides

Living in the Environment: Miller/Spoolman; 2011, 16th edition. Pages 293-300.

Hybrid Cars

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/advantages-disadvantages-series-hybrid-designs-78758.html

http://www.carsdirect.com/green-cars/major-pros-and-cons-of-buying-used-hybrid-cars

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/vehicles/2014/bmwi/bmwi_i8redirect.aspx#i8overview