Month: December 2018

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Foxconn plans to sharply limit water use at its plant in Mount Pleasant.

Bergquist, L. (2018, June 19). Foxconn plans to sharply limit water use at its plant in Mount Pleasant. Retrieved November,
2018, from
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/06/19/foxconn-announces-plans-sharply-limit-water-use-its-plant/7
14503002/

Foxconn Technology Group announced that they’d be investing $30 million to build a system to recycle water. Their goal is to prevent taking water from Lake Michigan while still allowing their manufacturing plant to function. They believe technology will reduce water intake by more than 3.5 million gallons per day. Their system will eliminate manufacturing process waste water by distilling it, recycling it, and reusing it.
Companies are beginning to consider the triple bottom line more and more. Foxconn will ultimately benefit themselves economically, the environment, and hopefully the people creating their product. Despite reducing water intake, the tech system they want to create is sure to need a lot of energy. This allows us to question if technology is really as beneficial as it is said to be. Their $10 billion factory “would employ up to 13,000 employees. The project would be the largest private development in Wisconsin history — a deal made possible with $3 billion in state incentives.” In hopes of following the values for their Taiwan-based company they want to exceed all the set regulations.

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Council OKs $614 Million for ‘Cutting Edge’ Recycled Drinking Water Project.

Jennewein, C. (2018, September 26). Council OKs $614 Million for ‘Cutting Edge’ Recycled Drinking Water Project. Retrieved
November, 2018, from https://timesofsandiego.com/tech/2018/09/26/council-oks-614-million-for-cutting-edge-recycled-drinking-water-project/

In San Diego, the council approved a $614 million project to begin construction on an innovative way to recycle water. Called Pure Water, it is scheduled to begin in 2019 and open in 2021. This system will purify 30 million gallons a day into drinking water. Mayor Kevin Faulconer insists that this is a wealthy investment so that San Diego becomes independent from other county’s for water. A total $1.25 billion price tag will have phases. By the time it is completed, it is hoped that San Diego will have approximately 83 million gallons of recycled water.
San Diego, being part of California and relatively close to dry SoCal conditions, took the decision to work with what we all have, toilet water. They requested a very large federal loan but with great judgement. I think it is important to note that the US Environmental Protection Agency is covering 49 percent of the cost of the project, very close to half. When a government agency supports such a large project, there are definitely high hopes for its success.

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How Recycled Wastewater Could Pump New Life Into Tucson.

Weiser, M. (2018, July 13). How Recycled Wastewater Could Pump New Life Into Tucson. Retrieved November, 2018, from
https://www.worldcrunch.com/eyes-on-the-us/how-recycled-wastewater-could-pump-new-life-into-tucson

In Tucson, Arizona, plans for using recycled water go beyond satisfying thirst. Their goal is to utilize treated wastewater to revive the Santa Cruz River, after being completely dried up for 70 years. Groundwater pumping and development were one of the main reasons that caused the historical aquatic habitat to evaporate. Pipes that are used for landscape irrigation would be moved a tad bit so that they begin the flow of a river. After the chlorine is extracted from the recycled water, wildlife can benefit as well. All depends on the permit they await but with a majority in favor, the project is expected to start by May 2019.
At first I thought that wanting to ornate a dried up city with a river that would cut the water availability by fifty percent, was insane. However, after reading the motivations of Tucson, their goal makes sense. This would make the city much more appealing, people would make up for overusing the water they had at one point, but most importantly, the water that is being used will help the aquifer fill so that it is then used for drinking water. Like in another article, this reinforces the message that water is king and it is overall very important to one’s life.

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It was toilet wastewater. Now it’s beer. Can you swallow this new Boise brewery trend?

Deeds, M. (2018, August 29). It was toilet wastewater. Now it’s beer. Can you swallow this new Boise brewery trend? Retrieved
November, 2018, from
https://www.idahostatesman.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/words-deeds/article217481130.html

This article talks about beer. More specifically on the name that it should be given after it is produced from recycled “toilet” water. Names like “Deja Brew”, “Wasted Pale Ale”, and “Brown Trout” are among the possibilities for names. The article points that the problem isn’t purifying the water of brewing the beer but, instead, selling the product. Brewing companies, like Mad Swede and Mother Earth are open to ideas. Jerry Larson from Mad Swede states that “water is king,” meaning that the more water Idaho residents save, the better of they will be and this holds true for many other states and counties. Participating in Pure Water Brew Boise, a large conference, Mother Earth hopes to educate people on the benefits and funnel any monetary donations into a scholarship fund for people working on bettering water treatments and Water for People, a nonprofit.
Interest after reading this article led me to research more about the differences in production volume. I found that it takes approximately 20 gallons of water to make a pint of beer, something that isn’t very environmentally friendly. The problem these breweries are facing is definitely real and difficult to look past. It’s a challenge when one want to be funny with the name they’ll use for their beer but ultimately, they want to make a profit, since it is a business and scaring away potential buyers is not the way. As a last thing, I was shocked after reading that recycled water can offer more calcium and minerals, making it overall healthier than the tap water coming out of our faucets.

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A major US city will start drinking its own sewage. Others need to follow.

Schlanger, Z. (2018, August 23). A major US city will start drinking its own sewage. Others need to follow. Retrieved
November, 2018, from https://qz.com/1353825/a-major-us-city-will-start-drinking-its-own-sewage-others-need-to-follow/

El Paso, Texas is one of the driest places to live in within the US. It has been compared to Namibia in sub-Saharan Africa. They understood they had a problem when it was calculated that by 2025, their water reserve or aquifer would be completely empty and dry. One of their biggest problems was possed when the neighboring state, New Mexico, also needed water and they wanted a great part of it. Ed Archuleta, an engineer from New Mexico came to El Paso, employed one of his best solutions and not only saved but allowed El Paso to prosper during one of its driest seasons in 2011. Archuleta knew that water is an essential part to a person’s identity and his plan was for the long run.
After reading the first half of this article, I was so amazed at the accomplishment that this city in Texas did. I thought that it was great that the author mentioned that a key to their success was having a plan and implementing it. They had people patrol the streets so homeowners wouldn’t water their yard that wasn’t meant to thrive with the dry conditions. After learning about the use of recycled water, I was interested if other states were being as efficient. El Paso is definitely a great example of what could be if a community decided to ignore the “yuck factor” of recycled water and use technology to their benefit.

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Pediatricians warn against chemical additives in food for kids.

Summary:

A study has confirmed that leading a healthy diet consisting of mostly fruits and vegetables, rather than meat, is better for the environment. It also benefits the climate because less processing is done to make the food. Livestock farming requires high energy, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Whereas the production life cycle of organic food reduces greenhouse gas emissions, cumulative energy demand, and land occupation. Organic diets also have a more beneficial effect to people’s health if the diet is plant based rather than meat based.

 

Relation Environmental science:

It is inferred that the food production cycle of farming organic food is more beneficial to sustainability than any other method of food production. Therefore in the future it will be important for people to manage their diet in the pursuit of environmental wellness. Agriculture will also begin to use a lot of land taking away from other things so people must adapt to make room for more crops. The environment can also be impacted by climate, soil types, and farm management. This article does a good job of showing the importance of a healthy diet.  

 

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Walmart puts up nearly 2 million dollars to help reduce food wastes.

Summary:

A study has confirmed that leading a healthy diet consisting of mostly fruits and vegetables, rather than meat, is better for the environment. It also benefits the climate because less processing is done to make the food. Livestock farming requires high energy, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Whereas the production life cycle of organic food reduces greenhouse gas emissions, cumulative energy demand, and land occupation. Organic diets also have a more beneficial effect to people’s health if the diet is plant based rather than meat based.

 

Relation Environmental science:

It is inferred that the food production cycle of farming organic food is more beneficial to sustainability than any other method of food production. Therefore in the future it will be important for people to manage their diet in the pursuit of environmental wellness. Agriculture will also begin to use a lot of land taking away from other things so people must adapt to make room for more crops. The environment can also be impacted by climate, soil types, and farm management. This article does a good job of showing the importance of a healthy diet.  

 

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Eating Healthy vs. Unhealthy Will Cost You $550 More Per Year, Study Reveals,

Summary:

This article is a study rebutting the myth that unhealthy food is less expensive than healthy food. Many people think that because unhealthy is less expensive because it can be bought in bulk or for cheap, but in the long run healthy food is cheaper because you get the nutrients you need for less money. While you can obtain more calories for less while eating unhealthy. This doesn’t account for the rest of the nutrients necessary and therefore shows that healthy food is less expensive especially if bought locally where it is cheap. The study shows that it wall cost about 550 dollars more to eat unhealthy rather than healthy.

 

Relation to Environmental Science:

This article it shows people the importance of eating healthy and how it can benefit them economically, but explains that it is better economically because it is environmentally friendly. The article explains that shipped goods cost more and therefore eating healthy costs less because most processed goods are shipped. It also explains the hidden health costs such as obesity and other problems from eating unhealthy that can also be problematic economically and environmentally.

 

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Eating Locally and in Season: Is It Really Better for the Environment?,

This article talks about the importance of eating based off of season, if you were to eat a strawberry for example, during the winter. It would have to be flown over from somewhere across the world where it was in season. This makes it cost more and it is not environmentally friendly. It is also healthier to eat food based off of the seasons because this forces variety into a person’s diet. Overall it is beneficial to go to the market and have local in season fruits rather than processed or out of season fruit.

 

Relation to Environmental Science:

This relates to environmental science because when a fruit or vegetable is being flown over because someone wants to eat it out of season, it causes a lot of c02 emissions which overtime is environmentally damaging. This poses the questions of whether it is really worth it to eat fruit that is not in season, considering it is both economically and environmentally not friendly.

 

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Colony’s new carpenter cabinet food pantry holds first distribution.

In Alabama, Colony’s Carpenter’s Cabinet community food pantry, held its official grand opening. This food pantry is able to obtain food for 14 cents per pound, and then distribute it to the people in need. Applicants for this food service must prove eligibility in order to receive food from the non profit organization. This type of food distribution is able to save a lot of money and help those in need. So it is beneficial in many ways. This particular organization in alambagh will help over 300 families.

 

Relation to Environmental Science:

This article is portraying the kindness of the community, because a company is donating to those who need food. It also relates to the environmental aspect because the process of getting the food and giving the food is much more cost efficient and environmentally friendly. Rather than selling the processed foods at stores, people are receiving food through the organization which helps the environment because most of this food is organic.