“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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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Cons
Accelerate genetic
resistance
Put farmers on a financial
treadmill
Kill beneficial biota
Cause pollution
Kill wildlife
Threaten human health
Natural Pest Control
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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
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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
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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
Appliances
Geothermal Heating
Solar Panels
Solar Heating
Wind Turbines
LED bulbs and fluorescent
Lighting
• Energy-Efficient Windows
• Low flow toilets and
faucets
• Energy and Water Saving
Washers/Dryers
• Energy Saving Electronics,
TV’s, computers,
• Tankless Water Heaters
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Energy-Efficient Homes and
Appliances
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Pros
Can save money
Reduce energy needed
Reduce electricity use
Save water
Minimize pollution
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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
Dude, they’ve
got a cannon.
48 miles to the gallon
and 108
mph top speed. We
got this.
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
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Pros
Clean Energy
Performance
Improvements
Incentives
Regenerative Braking
Lower Fossil Fuel
Dependence
Lighter weight
Smaller engine
Higher resale value
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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?
References
Environmental 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