ArborGen plans to plant GMO eucalyptus at FGCU. (Hypothetical Scenario)

ArborGen (a biotech company) has expressed a desire to plant test plots of genetically modified eucalyptus here at FGCU! This GM eucalyptus has been engineered with enhanced cold tolerance. This allows it to grow not only in Southwest Florida, but potentially as far north as South Carolina. As an eco-aware citizen, the USDA has subpoenaed you to testify on the merits and pitfalls of this plan.

There are about 700 species of eucalyptus trees that are found throughout North and South America, Africa, some parts of Asia and Europe.  Some species are used for their potential of fast-growing wood, producing oils used for cleaning and functions as a natural insecticide, and their ability to drain swamps through invasive water-sucking.  The eucalyptus trees are also well-known to have a beneficial economic impact on poor populations.

There are many benefits towards GM produced eucalyptus trees that are beneficial in agriculture, environmental issues, and human health.  GM eucalyptus that are "Freeze-tolerant" will spur growth in forests and help the environment through a gain in forestry in areas where eucalyptus trees would die.  It would increase the productivity for wood, fiber, and energy.  Some potential intrinsic concerns include the act of "Playing God" by altering genetics of the biology of plants or understanding the ethical responsibilities of changing natural genetic codes.  Some extrinsic concerns include unintentionally creating super-viruses that may cause epidemics in human or ecological health.  A way to prevent these super-viruses is through reasonable and calculated steps in the scientific process.  Scientists would have to create isolated experiments that would be lengthy in time and would be very costly.  The benefits may outweigh the risks when using it beneficially for economic impact on poor populations, but these trees have been deemed as the "tree-weeds" of the earth.  They spread and consume too much water, and the spread of these weeds throughout the earth may spread chaos in this already water-depleted world.

Blog Entry # 6: ECHO and Appropriate Technology

ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) has a variety of farming techniques and technologies that should "hopefully" be beneficial for developing nations around the world.  The different ideas that you witness throughout the tour such as the different farming and agriculture systems.  I feel American agriculture has strayed from this approach to farming.  American agriculture uses a more mass feeding and artificial method that has led to it being one of the most hazardous industries.ECHO's relevance to feeding the developing world is minute to the scale of global hunger.  The whole point of ECHO is to teach people from developing nations how just "not to farm, but to work to make farmers more effective at growing food producing crops under harsh conditions.  Appropriate technology is used to help these people from developing nations.  Appropriate technology is a means to use small scale, labor intensive, energy sufficient, and environmentally sound methods usually towards agriculture.  An example of appropriate technology are bike and hand powered water pumps and other self powered equipments.  I would be interested in doing service learning with ECHO in order to work with developing nations around the world.  Different cultures interest me, and to just know that I am giving a helping hand to a great idea would be very fulfilling.

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.