Green 101: Intro to Sustainability Week 8 – Measuring Sustainability Ethics and Culture

Drum roll, please: I completed Coursera’s Intro to Sustainability! It’s safe to say I’m pretty pleased with myself, especially considering that I didn’t have to take the course, and most definitely didn’t have to finish it. Sure, doing a little weekly summary here on the blog added a level of accountability to the whole thing, but considering the majority of my “readers” are people I don’t personally know, I could have easily just dropped out and never mentioned the course again. Oh, and I started doing better and better on the quizzes as the course went on – whether this was because I stopped caring how well I did, or whether I did better as cumulative knowledge grew…who knows! But I am glad for what I learned in the process.

Green 101: Intro to Sustainability Week 7 – Environmental Economics and Policy

This second-to-last week of the course seemed a bit like a space filler, with basic, repetitive info that could have been combined with other weeks, past and future. Regardless, it made for a simple workload of homework! In short, I learned the different types of policies that are used toward reducing negative environmental impacts, and how those policies are influenced and how they succeed(ed) or fail(ed). It’s generally agreed that the best policies come about when governments, experts, industries and companies weigh all the costs and benefits before making decisions/enforcing mandates and regulations. And these costs and benefits need to include not only those in the monetary category, but social and environmental categories as well.

Green 101: Intro to Sustainability Week 6 – Agriculture & Water

This week’s focus on water and agriculture piqued my interest in the class once again. While I already had a basic understanding of how much excess farmland is used solely to grow crops for feeding livestock, I hadn’t actually given much thought to how that would affect food prices (spoiler alert: they go up!). Another lecture focused on how the Green Revolution resulted in increases in fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide use, irrigation and monoculture. Despite the detriments to the environment, all of the above increased yield (a good thing, considering how much the population has grown). Unfortunately, at this point we have become so dependent on Green Revolution techniques that we cannot go back to the “old ways” and continue to feed everyone at the current population rate (and with that numbers constantly rising….).

In fact farmers will have to us 45% more water in 2030, which we’re unlikely to have on hand (based on current availability and increased threat of drought due to climate change). There’s always the possibility of improvements in technology that will continue to increase our yield, despite using the same (or less than the current) amount of land and water – these technological advances are what have helped us in the past. Of course, these advances cost money, which will again cause food prices to go up. So, no matter what happens, food will continue to get more expensive (and may lean more and more towards the GMO-variety). All the more reason to grow your own!

An especially interesting concept in week 6 was the idea of embedded, or virtual, water.

Green 101: Intro to Sustainability Week 5 – Energy

Week 5 was all about energy, both non-renewable (fossil fuels) and renewable (hydro, wind, solar, biofuel, etc) and what we can rely on as a society in the future.

In short, the problem with fossil fuels is that they not only come from finite sources, but negatively affect the atmosphere with harmful CO2 emissions. Not to mention that the instability of the areas where oil comes from jacks the prices up, which makes it economically feasible for oil companies to drill in places that are difficult to get at (oil sands, offshore drilling, etc). Same with natural gas and hydrofracking. While these methods will produce more reserves (therefore extending the time until we run out of oil), it really only delays the inevitable and keeps us dependent on an unsustainable resource.

And while an option like nuclear power produces less CO2 with energy production that can be scaled up manually, there are very real concerns of security and danger of contamination (NIMBY). Enter well-known renewable energy sources, and there are limitations there as well.

Green 101: Upcoming Permaculture/Sustainability Classes

I haven’t listed classes in a while, but there’s always something going on in the world of Permaculture! To see previous classes I’ve posted, click here.

Nutritious Delicious! Cooking Seminar – Wild Game and Pasture-Raised Meats: A Savory Natural Meat Cooking Seminar

Tuesday, October 2, evening workshop times TBA
Part of a series of six seminars covering both basic and advanced culinary skills.  Held roughly every other month on a topic related to the season, these sessions are designed to assist those interested in eating “lower on the food chain”, more in keeping with the freshness of the season — and more economically as well!

Green 101: Intro to Sustainability Week 4 – Climate Change

 

This past week’s class focused on the hot button issue of climate change and whether the climate of the future will be “hot, hotter or hottest.” It was interesting to learn the textbook difference between weather (changeable daily highs) and climate (the long-term average of weather), and how factors like insolation and albedo result the average temperature of a planet.

Overall, week 4 reminded me of science class, with talk of compound concentrations and researchers drilling ice cores out of the Antarctic to be shipped to labs throughout the world for study:

That video was the most interesting part of this week for me! Between rushing to get my week’s “homework” done for both my Intro to Sustainability and the Modern Poetry classes, and general hecticness at work leading up to a long weekend spent out of town, I didn’t even go near the forums this week. Not to mention, climate change has become such an overused buzzword that I’m afraid I’ve joined the masses by physically tuning it out whenever it’s mentioned.

Oh well. This upcoming week is all about energy, which does interest me greatly, especially since hydrofracking is of very much interest to NY state right now…

Related articles

• How To Relate Climate Extremes to Climate Change (thinkprogress.org)
• New Antarctic Ice Core History Adds To Our Understanding Of Modern Climate Change (planetsave.com)
• Fox News And The Wall Street Journal Misrepresent Climate Science (businessinsider.com)
• ‘Extreme’ weather is the new norm (guardian.co.uk)
• Climate change and journalistic balance (kottke.org)

 

Green 101: Intro to Sustainability Week 3 – Tragedy of the Commons

This past week was all about “Tragedy of the Commons,” which is  defined by Wikipedia as: “A dilemma arising from the situation in which multiple individuals, acting independently and rationally consulting their own self-interest, will ultimately deplete a shared limited resource, even when it is clear that it is not in anyone’s long-term interest for this to happen. This dilemma was described in an influential article titled “The Tragedy of the Commons”, written by ecologist Garrett Hardin and first published in the journal Science in 1968.”

The example used by Hardin was a public-use field that was improperly managed and had become overgrazed by cattle. In his view, it is human nature to get as much as we can out of a common resource, with no regard to the long-term effects or the effects on the community/world as a whole. This inevitably causes an irreversible degradation of that shared resource. Many authorities chose to interpret this theory as suggesting that the only solution would be to privatize the resource, which has proven to be effective in the case of fisheries world-wide. Hardin has since clarified that “A ‘managed commons’ describes either socialism or the privatism of free enterprise. Either one may work; either one may fail.”

Not everyone is so doom-and-gloom. In this article, Nobel Peace Prize winner Elinor Ostrom talks about how humans can (and do) self-organize and solve problems. Communication and a well-defined, common goal is key, but her research has concluded that it’s usually the people using that resource who are best able to come up with a solution, without any outside authority intervening. Her examples seem to focus mostly on the local level, but there are definitely ways cooperation can be translated to national and international problems as well! As Ostrom says, “there are no panaceas,” meaning, the same solution can’t be used every time – each issue has to be examined and worked out in a custom way. Sure, it’s extra work, but there’s nothing more beautiful than true community in action!

Naturally the community-based focus of this week got me all fired up! And despite what I said last week, I did wander back into the forums again…

Green 101: Intro to Sustainability Week 2 – Population Changes

Week 2 of Coursera’s Intro to Sustainability ended up being a whole lot less exhausting than week 1. That was due partly to the cumulative nature of the learning process, partly to me avoiding the forums like the plague and mostly to me not worrying so much about actually “passing” the class.

This week we dealt with Population: The disappearance of the third world. Key phrases included:

• Demographics
• Population pyramids
• Population projections
• Transition in world population

I’ve figured out that I greatly prefer the Professor’s video lectures to any of the dry readings assigned. In fact, the most informative assignment was this TED talk by Hans Rosling on global population growth, box by box:

Obviously, I’m a visual learner! After watching this clip, it makes perfect sense to me why giving inhabitants of other countries the same opportunities as us (including Coursera’s free education?) will actually help us, and the whole world in the end. We are one.

On another note, I still feel like the quizzes are a joke. Based on my results so far, I’ve already “failed” the class, but based on discussion in the forums, there seem to be different answer keys floating around and discrepancies between answers being marked right on one person’s quiz, but wrong on another. So I’m taking the results with a grain of salt. My mom also helped perk me up by asking me what I personally hoped to get out of the class: 100% on the quizzes was not the answer.

An accidental lesson to the course so far has been how to respond to self-righteous academic types on the forums who are more interested in proving you wrong than actually helping you understand their point of view (or taking the time to understand yours).

Green 101: Intro to Sustainability Week One – Pessimism vs. Optimism & Neo-Malthusians

I started Coursera’s 10-week “Intro to Sustainability” course on Monday…and already I feel like I’m SERIOUSLY back in school! The work is intense, but informative. I appreciate how the assignments for the week are a mix of video lectures and readings, that the module estimates how much time each activity will take, and especially that only this week’s work is available to do. I know myself – if further readings were available, I would overload myself with the intention of getting ahead.

My favorite part of “Intro to Sustainability” by far is the 26,000+ students from around the world also taking the course with me! The wide variety of ideas and expertise on the discussion forums astounds me. I even started a thread titled “What Would Malthus Have Thought of Birth Control and the Welfare System?” that has created a great discussion among a handful of us (I’ll blog about that at some point). Another aspect to the course that I haven’t explored yet is the option to create a final project (solo or group) that is rated by your peers. Since I’m taking this class not only to better my understanding of sustainability, but to use that knowledge to possibly turn TILT’s Zenda Farm Preserve into an education center, it may be the perfect forum to gain ideas and gather response!

Week 1: Introduction & Population – Pessimism vs. optimism, neo-malthusians

Green 101: Back to School with Coursera’s Intro to Sustainability

I discovered Coursera while listening to a TED talk about online education by co-founder Daphne Koller. Upon investigation, I realized that, unlike Kahn Academy where all the courses are math and science-related, Coursera has a wide variety of interesting ever-changing courses! I’m going to start with Intro to Sustainability, which starts on Monday…and from there, maybe Modern & Contemporary American Poetry and then Intro to Philosophy…

 

Introduction to Sustainability

Next session: 27 August 2012 (8 weeks long)

Workload: 8-10 hours/week

About the Course

This course introduces the academic approach of Sustainability and explores how today’s human societies can endure in the face of global change, ecosystem degradation and resource limitations. The course focuses on key knowledge areas of sustainability theory and practice, including population, ecosystems, global change, energy, agriculture, water, environmental economics and policy, ethics, and cultural history.

This subject is of vital importance, seeking as it does to uncover the principles of the long-term welfare of all the peoples of the planet. As sustainability is a cross-disciplinary field of study, this foundation requires intellectual breadth: as I describe it in the class text, understanding our motivations requires the humanities, measuring the challenges of sustainability requires knowledge of the sciences (both natural and social), and building solutions requires technical insight into systems (such as provided by engineering, planning, and management).

Building an Outdoor Classroom in Qatar

My brother-in-law is a science teacher in Qatar, and he recently led completion of an incredible outdoor classroom for his elementary school kids to enjoy (I mean, it includes a koi pond and waterfall, tortoise habitat, human sundial and a “weather tree”!). Can I play?

This article, and all photos, were originally published on his blog, The Scientific Teacher.

Building an Outdoor Classroom

June 5, 2012 by Nick Mitchell

When I first arrived at my school 4 years ago, outside the new elementary science lab was a large sandpit surrounded by a fence. In the middle of that sandpit was an empty swimming pool.

My initial reaction was WTF? Then it was explained to me that when the school recently expanded the intent was to build an outdoor pond area. Unfortunately this desire wasn’t communicated clearly to the construction company, who interpreted “pond” to mean “pool” (such is life in Qatar). So we ended up with a swimming pool in a sand pit…. grrrrreat.

Thus began my 4-year quest to transform this wasteland into something of educational value. Since our school is located in the often-sweltering desert city of Doha, students don’t have much of an opportunity to explore the outdoors. They don’t have the same connection with nature that I was fortunate to have growing up in the woods of Connecticut- which is a problem if we expect our students to care about the environment or life sciences in general. (For a great read on this subject of “nature-deficient” kids, check out Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv) So my vision was to create an outdoor classroom, or as a wrote in the grant proposal:

To create a naturalistic outdoor learning space where students can be inspired to learn about the natural world even in the confines of our urban surroundings.  Upon entering the outdoor classroom through a vine-covered gate, students will be immersed in a lush, active ecosystem, surrounded by a diversity of plants and animals: butterflies pollinating flowering bushes, birds nesting in trees, and fish thriving in the pond. Opportunities for learning in this natural setting will be diverse as well, from learning about life cycles by growing vegetables in the planter beds, to collecting weather data using meteorological tools at the weather station, to understanding the relationship between sun and shadows on the sundial patio. 

It’s taken 4 years with several setbacks along the way (unsuccessful applications for funding, multiple contractors with conflicting visions, and many different designs and revisions), but I’m happy to report that it has been well worth the effort. This year our outdoor classroom has finally taken shape, and  it is a swimming pool sandpit no more!

Green 101: Upcoming Permaculture/Sustainability Classes pt 5

I’ve definitely gotten behind on sharing these classes, but decided to take some time to finally sift through all my Permie mailing lists to share the opportunities that haven’t already happened (and if its too late for some, at least you know for next year)! And to see what I’ve already posted for this year, click here.

And besides the classes/events listed below, check out Ithaca Freeskool, the Sustainable Living Project, Yestermorrow Design Build School and the Hog Island Audoban Camp (in Maine!) for continuous opportunities to learn this summer.

Green 101: Using Leftover Yarn To Make Eco-Friendly Items

Crafty-lady that I am, I receive Michael’s emails with coupons, specials, and occasional how-tos. Most of the time I ignore the how-tos, since they’re often of the scrap-booking variety, but the latest one highlighted some “eco-friendly/recycling” instructions, including these crocheted projects below:

Lily Sugar ‘N Cream® Knit Duster Cover

Green 101: Natural Easter Egg Dyes

.com

Photo and article from Crunchy Domestic Goddess:

How to dye Easter eggs naturally – a tutorial

April 4, 2009

So you want to dye your Easter eggs naturally – without chemicals and artificial colors? While it takes longer than the commercial egg dye kits you buy at the store, dyeing your eggs with natural foods is better for you and your child(ren)’s health, produces much more interesting colors and is, quite arguably, more fun!

Why dye with natural colors instead of artificial?
According to Organic.org, “Many food colorings contain color additives such as Red No. 3 and Yellow No. 5, which, according to a 1983 study by the FDA, were found to cause tumors (Red No. 3) and hives (Yellow No. 5).” I wrote about the drawbacks of artificial colors a while back if you’d like to read more on the topic.

It is more time-consuming than using a store-bought conventional egg dye kit (and I highly recommend preparing the egg dye baths a few hours before you plan to dye the eggs with the kiddos), but it is healthier for your kids and the environment. “Dyeing eggs the natural way gives you the opportunity to spend more time with your family, teaching kids to use alternative project methods that are healthier for them and the environment.” I think it will be a lot of fun and a great family project.

To get started you will need:

Green 101: Upcoming Permaculture/Sustainability Classes pt 4

I will list classes as I hear of them (and I don’t really have it in me to fix all the formatting – sorry in advance!) And see other classes I’ve already posted here.

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Green 101: Upcoming Permaculture/Sustainability Classes pt 3

As I predicted, listing upcoming Permaculture/sustainability classes has become an ongoing series. Here goes the latest batch:

Green 101: Upcoming Classes/Events pt 2

Since posting my latest list of upcoming sustainability classes and events, a few more have appeared in my inbox. So here’s part 2 of what will probably become an ongoing series:

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Green 101: Upcoming Permaculture/Sustainability Classes & Events in the North Country and Beyond

Being subscribed to about a million and one Permaculture mailing lists, I’ve been seeing a overabundance of interesting workshops on the horizon for end of winter – summer in the North Country, Northeast, and beyond. I’ve listed the courses in chronological order as best as I could, but there’s a lot here, so get comfortable:

Green 101: Fritz Haeg On Tour

Patron saint of F that S, Fritz Haeg is currently on an international speaking tour (Looks like I will just miss him in NYC – boo), and as usual, has multiple projects and shows going on as well:

Green 101: Syracuse Community Training in Ecological Design

The Alchemical Nursery is teaming up with the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County to bring Syracuse a 10-week class in Community Training for Ecological Design:

This class gives gardeners, landowners, farmers, and anyone interested  in sustainable living, tools to get started on a wide range of projects  to improve food production, conserve resources, and save money.  We will meet once a week throughout the Fall to discuss the principles  and techniques of permaculture and ecology that help us make better  choices for our land, families, and communities.

Presented by Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute, The Alchemical Nursery, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County

September 10 & 11 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) then Wednesday evenings, September 14 through November 9 (6:00–8:30 p.m.)

September 10 & 11 – Permaculture Basics
September 14 – Plants & Niches
September 21 – Build a Guild
September 28 – Soil & Compost
October 5 – Water Management
October 12 – Earthworks
October 19 – Trees & Forests
October 26 – Community Design
November 2 – Design Lab
November 9 – Share Designs

Class work will include a self-selected design project; you can design your backyard, garden space, or an entire neighborhood. Examples and applications will be given in both an urban and rural context. Class will be a balance of lecture and hands-on learning.

Instructors include Steve Gabriel, Michael Burns, Frank Cetera, Kayleigh Burgess and regional guests.

Sliding Scale Tuition: $200 – $400 (based on what you can afford)

Scholarships may be available from generous local organizations.  For more information on how you or your organization can become a sponsor, click here. 

Visit http://FingerLakesPermaculture.org for registration.
Phone: 607.527.0607
Email:
info@fingerlakespermaculture.org

NOTE: This is not a Permaculture Design Certification course. However, your tuition to this series of classes can be applied to the summer PDC course tuition with the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute.

Official Upstate Permaculture logo designed by Me