Blog Entry #5: Sustainable Farming

Some elements to sustainable farming are: social responsibility and environmental conservation and sustainability. The principles towards sustainable farming includes creating ideas that will help to fulfill the major elements. Rooftop gardens, vertical gardening, and community gardens are some great ways to utilize available city space. Ecocities could be the future of how cities will be in the future. I personally buy organic using the "Dirty dozen" and other methods that release foods that are high in pesticide contamination. The current food system is the only way I know how to buy my food, but I do think sometimes when I am at my local grocery store if there would be another alternative. I find it weird how we buy produce from all these supermarkets. I have actually thought of growing my own vegetables recently. A neighbor actually grows his vegetables on the window sill in pots.

Blog Entry #4: The Energy Crisis

The most pressing global environmental issue facing us today is the energy crisis.  The usage of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas, etc.) has put the environment in a critical state by creating the climate crisis with the warming of earth's atmosphere.  The increase in CO2 levels because of deforestation, the industrial revolution, and the burning of fossil fuels are some of the main causes of this climate crisis.  A search for renewable sources of energy should be the main focus of the world if we are to endure and sustain mother earth.  Instead of using coal, oil, and natural gas (which provides 86.5 % of energy use), we could use alternative energy like harvesting the power of the sun and wind.  I would invest 100% of the $100 billion to address this global problem to research in renewable energy.  The use of biofuels to power cars to lower CO2 emissions, the planting of green scenery throughout concrete jungles should be the focus of the local and state governments.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

There were several ecosystems I saw during my walk through corkscrew sanctuary: pinelands, wet prairies, bald cypress, and march ecosystems.  These different ecosystems all contain through own unique set of animal and plant life flourishing within.  The role of conservation is to keep something sustainable and living continuously throughout its life.  Stewardship is the role of someone to maintain the life and sustainability of something throughout its life.  Private non-profit agencies are doing something for a cause, and not for any economic gain.  These private non-profit agencies should be run by smart like-minded individuals who have a passion to live for what they are doing.  There are not many people out there who will give everything up for a cause.  The preservation of this particular acreage is to keep host different forms of wildlife such as several species of wading birds, wintering passerines, and the endangered wood stork.  The role of corkscrew sanctuary, in a ecological perspective, is to be a "living machine" demonstration site.  Living machines are used to purify water by using sunlight, bacteria, green plants, and animals to restore water to pure conditions.  The entrance to the visitor center contains loads of information on how the everglades and Florida has changed over the past 120 years due to industrialization.  The population growth of Florida along with development has pushed hundreds of thousands of wildlife away from Florida.  We are now just starting to gain some wildlife back through direct efforts in sustainability according to the posters and information given in the visitors center.  Overall, this experience was delightful and definitely educational.  I would recommend this walk to anyone interested in nature and sustainability.

The Nature Trail - FGCU

The nature trail was a pleasant experience.  Walking through the trails under the shade of the trees was a relaxing experience.  The different species of plant life were beautiful in their natural essence.  The "Eco-empowerment" mission of the university really shows with these nature trails.  It shows that the university cares about the environment and would show it off in all its beauty.

Blog Entry #1

This class should be interesting considering the fact that it is the one course that defines Florida Gulf Coast University's mission statement for sustainability.  Sustainability, or to sustain, is to maintain an ecological balance in order to keep life in it's natural state.  The concept of sustainability in my major, athletic training, would be related through the health and fitness of the population.  In order for the earth to remain healthy, it's inhabitants would have to think and believe in healthy habits.  Some personal behaviors that may be unsustainable are the use and abuse of our natural resources, the indulgence of animal consumption, and unhealthily remaining sedentary.