Sonali Pfile

I noticed that the drains at HRS say that they drain into the ocean, so I would bet that letting any harmful chemicals flow into these drains would harm the health of the watershed. I also know the ocean is a huge sink for carbon in the atmosphere, which leads to ocean acidification, which decreases the stability of crustacean populations, and kills coral reefs. In this way, our carbon foot prints have an impact on our water systems.  

I mean I suppose it drives me to be more aware of the impact of my actions. We usually consider our actions to be our own problem, but as we have learned throughout the course, everything is interconnected. It is overwhelming to think about the consequences of living an oblivious life, but the flip side of the coin is that our positive actions have an impact throughout this interconnected web. Therefore, an effort to use less plastic will help keep the seas clean, keep turtles breathing, and keep food webs healthy and balanced. When we use solar panels and avoid releasing carbon dioxide into the air, we help our grandchildren and we take a step towards sparing the remaining coral reefs from death. This interconnectivity can be a source of hope for us. 

We talked in class about how meat was not plentiful for our ancestors, and so the human diet was composed of fruits, nuts, and roots for much of our history. Due to our desire to have anything we want when we want it, meat is readily available 24/7. This huge departure from our traditional way of eating has become normal in North America, and the mentality does not only apply to meat, but to our general interest in securing more than what we need. 

We can cut or reduce the amount of palm oil we consume by buying local, fresh food (as opposed to processed food from supermarkets). Also, making an effort to cook more at home (which is time consuming, but rewarding when I have the chance) can ensure that we know exactly what is going into the food that we eat. 

One thing that everyone in my neighborhood could do is ditch the lawns and non-native plants and instead create gardens that are low water. The sheer amount of water it takes to keep a garden alive is staggering, so using native, drought resistant, and low water plants could really make an impact. Another thing we could do is store rain water with rain barrels, and water our gardens with grey water. 

I think a sustainable community has to function like an ecosystem. Each aspect of what the community consumes and what it produces has to be taken into account, to see how everything can fit together. I think the first step is being aware of what energy we use and what food we consume (side note: one would want to track what kind of energy it required to produce the food as well). After that, we would have to try to reduce how much energy we use, source our energy better (solar, methane digesters, etc), and harness the power of the waste that we create (that was the goal of methane digesters), so that everything that we do and create can be beneficial to our ecosystem. This vision for the future would require a change in mentality, from self-centeredness to a holistic and conscientious mentality. 

I've noticed a lack of sidewalks in some areas, which makes walking less safe. More sidewalks and marked crosswalks could make walking more accessible for the day to day person. I enjoy using stairs and pathways to cut across blocks, because it feels like a cool passage that a car couldn't take advantage of. 

I had never heard of silvopasture before, but it fits nicely with the concept of permaculture. I love the concept of integrating cattle with tree growth. Farmers have shown that it is beneficial to all parties involved, when planned and executed thoughtfully. For instance, I watched a video where the farmer explained that he grows apple and chestnut trees, and has pigs and cows graze around them. The animals rub up against the bark, which keeps it free of insects, and they eat the lower branches, which leaves the trees less susceptible to fungal diseases. The pigs will eat any fruit that falls prematurely, and fertilize the soil. The trees sequester carbon while helping the farmer improve their land and their livelihoods. An article explained that farmers can weather the uncertainty of climate change with silvopasture. A farmer can hedge their bets with short term investments, like animals, and long term investments, like trees. The animals get shade, which reduces their stress and helps them gain weight and stay healthy. By putting their metaphorical eggs in more than one basket, they can survive droughts and weather changes. For instance, a farmer in New York explained that he grows cattle and chickens, while making maple syrup and harvesting mushrooms from inoculated logs. Another video about sustainable agriculture (not silvopasture specifically) showed a man who grows over 40 different types of trees and other plants in a small garden. He specifically chose these plants so that at least some of the plants would yield at any one time, and that he would have a variety to help him through any extreme weather caused by climate change. Therefore, thoughtful planting and taking advantage of natural relationships between plants and animals can help the environment and improve the stability of a farmer's livelihood during a time of climate uncertainty.

Eating smaller portions could help us economically. If everyone bought and consumed food with an environmental mindset, it would not only help the planet, but our wallets as well. That's another thing about food waste- I always feel ambitious when I buy food, and I'm never as ambitious or energetic when it comes to making the food. It will be much better to avoid wasting food by stopping myself from getting stuff I don't need.

I'd probably rather spend it on arts and crafts- I like knitting. Maybe gardening as well. I have my eye on a bunch of seeds... Also making a chicken coop and getting chickens. 
240 pounds is so much to waste-I'm thankful that those food scraps can be composted to contribute to someone's healthy soil. It would be tragic for all of those nutrients to lay inert in a landfill.