Environmental Science

1. Environmental Science

2. Energy • We use energy in all aspects of our lives • Electricity - Light, heat, appliance, iPods • Oil – heat homes and water • Fuel – cars, truck, trains, equipment • How was energy used to produce… • Your clothes • Your desk • Your chips

3. Energy • Much of our energy comes from Fossil Fuels • Coal and petroleum (oil) • Originated from plants and animals that existed millions of years ago = fossil fuels • Known as non-renewable energy sources • Once supply is gone, its gone forever • Are we in an energy crisis?

4. Energy Crisis • Energy Crisis = demand for energy is higher than amount of fuel produced • World demand for energy is rising • US uses 21 million barrels of petroleum per day • US petroleum mainly comes from Middle East • We import, not produce it here • What if they cut us off? • Petroleum is created from non-renewable resources. • What happens if we run out?

5. Alternative Energy Sources • Alternative Energy – any form of energy besides fossil fuels • Biofuels– energy sources created from renewable resources such as agriculture crops • Wind Energy – energy created by harnessing wind power • Solar Energy – energy created by harnessing energy from the sun

6. Biofuels • Biofuels – energy sources created from renewable resources • Renewable energy = can be produced continuously • Agricultural crops commonly used • 4 Forms of Biofuels: • Ethanol • Biodiesel • Biomass • Methane

7. Biofuels - Ethanol • Ethanol – created through fermentation and distillation of grain. • Illegal whiskey makes made moonshine – this was ethanol • Brazilian ethanol made from sugarcane • US grains used for production • Corn, sorghum, wheat • 40% of US corn crop used for ethanol production • E85 – 85% ethanol, 15% gasoline • E10 – 10% ethanol, 90% gasoline • Standard fuel when you fill up at the pump

8. Biofuels - Biodiesel • Biodiesel – made by mixing oils from plant and/or animal sources with petroleum diesel fuel • Purpose is to make diesel fuel last longer • Common sources: • Used vegetable oil from frying in fast food restaurants • Soybean oil • Benefits: renewable resource, less emissions • Issues: clogged fuel lines if not cleaned, oil filter must be changed frequently, slight fried food odor • B20: 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum

9. Biofuels – Biomass • Biomass – large amounts of organic products used for fuel • Direct fuel: burned for energy • Wood, lawn clippings, wood chips, or manure • Paper and lumber mills use scrap wood as fuel • Manure is used to power an ethanol plant in Hereford, TX (Cattle Capitol of the World)

10. Biofuels – Methane • Methane – natural gas • Natural Gas – created by the transformation of plants and animals into fossil fuels • Benefits: burns clean • Issues: difficult to transport, highly flammable

11. Biofuel Concerns • Can the US produce enough ethanol to be a serious alternative to gasoline? • High demand for ethanol = high demand for corn = rising corn prices = cost of animal feed rises = cost of food at grocery store rises • Possible lower gas mileage • Possible corrosion of the engine block because of high water content in fuel • What if the crop is affected by drought, disease, insects and yields for the year are low? • Is it wise to grow crops for fuel? Will there be enough to also meet our food supply?

12. Wind Energy • Used for many years to bring water up from deep wells to provide water to people and livestock where there was no electricity (windmills) • “Wind Towers” are more efficient windmills • Large propeller blades turn in the wind to power generators that produce electricity

13. Wind Energy Concerns • Does the wind blow everywhere? • Does the wind blow all the time? • Does the wind always blow at the same speed? • How can wind energy be stored?

14. Solar Energy • Most abundant, less exhaustible, and less pollution than any other energy source • 2 types of solar energy systems: • Active – collects the sun’s energy in the form of heat and stores is for future use • Passive – collects the sun’s energy, but does not store it • South-facing solar panels

15. Solar Energy Concerns • How can the sun’s heat be converted to electricity? • What is the best way to store the sun’s heat to use in the dark?

16. Conventional vs. Organic Agriculture • We live in a very wealthy society where we buy nearly everything we consume • People used to grow at least some of the food they ate – garden, chickens and eggs, cows for milk • They knew where their food came from and how it was produced • Today, people have no idea!

17. Modern Agriculture • Today less than 2% of the US population are farmers and they must feed: • Over 300 million people in the US today • Nearly 7 billion people in the world • Can that be done using the same farming methods that people used when everyone grew a lot of their own food? • 2 types of Modern Agriculture: • Conventional farming • Organic farming

18. Modern Agriculture • Conventional Farming – • Food is produced in huge quantities • Shipped from where it is produced to where it is consumed • Very efficient form of farming • Due to technology advances • Equipment • Pesticides (Insecticides, Fungicides, Herbicides) • GE Crops • Technology allows farmers to produce enough food to feed all America’s and much of the world’s people

19. Modern Agriculture • There became some concerns… • The USDA regulates how much pesticide residue can be on food • Very, very, very tiny amounts are allowed, but are tested for years on animals and even babies to make sure they are safe • Some people believe that any chemical residue on food is too much • Any food produced using pesticides and fertilizers are unhealthy So we ended up with a new agriculture movement…

20. Modern Agriculture • Organic Agriculture • Food and fiber are produced using only materials that are “organic” • “Organic” are substances that only occur in nature and did not result from manufacturing • There are many rules and regulations about what can and cannot be used for growing food • Many types of pesticides are prohibited • Manure may be used for fertilizer if composted properly • Hormones and antibiotics are not allowed in animals

21. So is one system any better than the other???

22. Let’s Compare… • Activity: Have groups or pairs research and present each aspect of conventional vs. organic farming. Have them list practices, advantages, and disadvantages of each • Insect Control • Weed Control • Fertilizers • Animal Housing • Animal Feed • Animal Hormones • Animal Antibiotics • Food Safety • GMO Foods • Environmental Safety • Family or Corporate Farms • Food Prices • Nutrition of food • Use http://findourcommonground.com/, Agriscience text book

23. Modern Agriculture So, Conventional Farming or Organic Farming? The Bottom Line: We are all part of the agriculture industry. There is a demand and place for both types of systems, and each system works for its consumers. Different is not wrong, it is just different. Remember, we are all on the same team, so let’s support each other.

24. Intensive Production Systems • Systems that produce a large amount of food in a very small area • Aquaculture • Vertical Farming

25. Aquaculture • Up until the 1970’s, most of the fish sold in the markets were caught from the wild • However, as the world population has increase, more and more fish were caught from the ocean • A few years ago, maximum amount of fish that could be taken from the oceans in a year was reached • The ocean cannot produce enough fish and seafood to feed the world • Fish prices were sky-high

26. Aquaculture • Aquaculture systems are fish and seafood farms • Fish and seafood are raised in both natural constructed ponds that have controlled environments • Fresh water or salt water systems • Many fish are raised in a very small area • Challenge: the environment must be managed very carefully to provide adequate nutrition, disease control, and physical maintenance to the fish

27. Shrimp Farms in East Africa

28. Freshwater Tilapia Farm

29. Channel Catfish Farm

30. Vertical Farming • By 2050, 80% of the world’s population will live in urban areas • We will need more farmland to grow enough food for over 9 billion people • Since 1982 America has lost over 23 million acres of farmland to development • That’s the size of Indiana! • Our farmland is already shrinking – where will that food be grown?

31. Vertical Farming • One possibility is vertical farming • Vertical Farming – producing food in a skyscraper greenhouse or vertical structure • Hydroponics – growing plants in water without soil • Use nutrient solutions, gravel, pebbles • Aeroponics – growing plants in air without soil • Roots are sprayed with nutrient solution

32. Vertical Farming • Advantages: • Crops can be produced year-round • Controlled environment, so more consistent, predictable yields • Crops would be sold from same building • No transportation needed • Reduced loss from spoilage or damage • Reduce need for new farmland, so saves natural resources such as forests • Reduce use of fossil fuels because no equipment or machinery is needed for production

33. Vertical Farming • Disadvantages: • May be too expensive – • start-up costs, operation costs, cost of lighting, heating, and powering may not be possible • Pollution: • Greenhouse produce produces more greenhouses than field produce • Large quantities of water with fertilizer and pesticides need a place for disposal • So many plants in one small area could be severely damaged by spread of insects or disease

34. A Vertical Garden in Singapore

35. This “pinkhouse” in Bryan, TX grows 2.2 million plants under blue and red LED lights

36. Artist rendering of a 177 foot Vertical Garden planned for Sweden

37. Environmental Legislation • Farm Bill • EPA regulations