Yummy waste

There are many ways to be environmentally friendly. However, would you use biosolids? Biosolids are the materials composed of sewage waste, and yes, our waste is part of it. You might be wondering now, “Human waste is a product used to grow our foods?” Though this is true, it is beneficial to the environment. Many gardeners and farmers have been recycling biosolids for many years now. Even as a fertilizer, biosolids must be treated properly.

Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to biosolids. They are nutrient-rich as they contain many materials such as calcium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus, and more. All these nutrients are essential for the growth of crop production. It also boots up production of the forests and land that has been weakened. Biosolids are classified by its quality which affects how it is used. With the wastewater treatments, it has made our waters more fresher and cleaner for all living organisms. Biosolids also reduce the need for chemical fertilizers on farms and it also costs less for farmers.

With advantages there is also disadvantages. One of the biggest disadvantage would be the health hazards that is associated with the usage of the biosolids. With the accumulation of industrial waste, there is possibilities of the contamination of biosoils. These harmful pollutants can be transferred to our crops and we end up eating it. Another main disadvantage would be the smell. No one know the smell of human waste and sewage material. However, this odour is helpful as it contains plant nutrients that would help the crops.

With these pros and cons and would still go for biosolids. We must be able to see the process for biosolids as it can be infected. It is stirring up some controversy in society but no one sees the benefits of this. It is still gross to be eating your own poop but it is environmentally friendly and is able to help out society better. It is time everyone should know the benefits of biosolids.

Resources I used:

http://www.toronto.ca/water/biosolids/index.htm

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/biosolids/faq.html

http://www.aces.edu/waterquality/faq/faq_results.php3?rowid=4255

http://www.biosolids.com/basics.html

Pictures I used:

http://www.water.siemens.com/SiteCollectionImages/products/sludge_biosolids_processing/solids_reduction_process/biosolids_reduction_R.jpg

http://www.biosolids.com.au/images/sewage-treatment-process.jpg

Blogs I commented:

Erica Wright

Meg Sanchez

The Future of Technology

Human creation of technology has evolved throughout the years. Everyday, there are many researchers and scientists around the world who discover a new type of technology, that would help us make our daily life better. Canada is one of those countries who contributes to making new technology everyday.

One of the many inventions made recently was the SoftScan, made by a company called ART (Advanced Research Technologies). The SoftScan capture breast imagery, such as mammography. It also has ‘blind spots’ that would limit its capabilities. It uses infrared light to obtain many 3D images in place of the mammography. Using the SoftScan is painless and captures the biochemistry, physiology and the patient’s response to therapy as the anatomy changes. Through time, the SoftScan is being used more than mammography, which is still used today. SoftScan is able to provide many researcher with information. With the SoftScan, it can lead to shorter treatments, better results, and lower costs for the health care system. Health care providers, professionals, and patients can benefit with the SoftScan in place.

SoftScan

Another invention that has been made is the swallowable sensor pills. It is a wireless device for measuring the health of the digestive system. These sensor pills is able to gather data to a receiver as it passes through the digestive tract, which is returned to a doctor at a later time. This can help out those with a digestive system problem and aid those who diagnose with gastroparesis. A disadvantage to this pill is that each capsule costs from $500 to $20 000.

Swallowable sensor pills

These newly created inventions benefit Canada with the ways it is able to operate. It can also give us a better understanding towards our internal body systems. Without these technologies today, it would be very hard, or impossible, to diagnose out internal body systems. Understanding out internal body systems is the future to health. It can make a huge difference towards our life. These types of technologies can benefit our lives and save many others.

References:

http://www.canadianmedicinenews.com/2007/11/canadas-greatest-medical-research.html

http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2011/2/2/health/7894566&sec=health

http://www.canhealth.com/News928.html

http://www.art.ca/en/clinical/index.php

Pictures I used:
http://www.art.ca/img/clinical/softscan-patient.jpg

http://www.technologyreview.com/files/1038/090706SmartPill.jpg

Blogs I commented:
Patricia Relatado
Mary Chiu

Industrial Agriculture vs. Sustainable Agriculture

Do you ever wonder what is inside a burger? Tomatoes, lettuce, cabbages, and onions made freshly grown from the field, a bun made from wheat, and a patty made from the meat of a cow. All these products are what we see in everyday life. However all these products are seen on the fields and farms and not anywhere else. This is where industrial agriculture comes in. Sustainable agriculture is the practice of farming without any machines, just natural methods. This method is better for the environment, animals, and consumers. Do you believe industrial agriculture is better as it feeds the population and a rapid rate or industrial agriculture that sustains biodiversity?



Industrial Agriculture



There are many benefits to industrial agriculture as it allows us to buy cheap food and to make cheap food for a growing population. However, it causes a drastic effect on the environment. Pesticides are used causing an effect on the oceans, lakes, and rivers. Other than contamination, there is also contamination in the food. There are many deaths that lead to food contamination because of the improper way of treating the animals. Farmers worry more about their farm rather than the health of humans. Many pesticides are used as they can be an increase of cancer.

A sustainable agriculture also has its benefits as it helps the environment. Little or no pesticides are used and are replaced by animal manure. This helps the environment, however, would not be able to satisfy the needs of everyone. There are many countries around the world that sustain poverty and would not have access to food. With this, we must be able to provide food for everyone.

Sustainable Agriculture

By now you should be wondering what should be better for our society. Sustainable agriculture helps out our environment but does not satisfy everyone because of slow production, making it no be able to keep up with everyone. Industrial agriculture helps out everyone with the fast production of food but destroys the environment. Many people are heading towards industrial agriculture rather than sustainable agriculture for many reasons. One of the reasons is that sustainable agriculture isn’t fast and efficient enough. Another reason is that industrial agriculture takes up a lot of space as it can save time and efficiency. Also, taking care of a large area is hard labour with minimum pay. Technology today is proven to be better and successful. So what side are you on?

References:

http://scienceblogs.com/worldsfair/2009/05/industrial_agriculture_v_susta.php

http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/impacts_industrial_agriculture/industrial-agriculture-features.html

http://www.economywatch.com/agriculture/types/industrial.html

Photos I used:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKRKNuXN8vJqv782C_gSaXin7jb2PoexnFF7Yq-pO-URShuQ0cEGOKTT-gm6Fd_tOdbUba69QJAOEvg_wVYuTyZY4mArEdkYZYlAKImlmfzTc2z2gbTqoF5BdCQti0vEyS7fKrz4TfKo/s1600/cornfield_istock.jpg
http://www.studydiscussions.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/sustainable-agriculture.jpg

Blogs I commented:
Wayne Law
Mary Laxamana

Designer Babies: Good Idea?

“Designer Babies” is a term being used in the media to describe the change of characteristics for babies before birth. This is selecting and modifying the genes of the babies for desirable traits for what the parents choose. The big question that we face: is this acceptable?

Can you fill in the pieces?

Many scientists believe this process is acceptable for research. However, there has been controversy in the media. There are many people who stand against this because of ethical concerns. Although this process hasn’t been mastered yet, it will be a matter of time that scientists will be able to perform the procedure successfully. Many people believe is it wrong to modify humans as others believe it is acceptable. Society fears that it will be taken too far and eventually start choosing the traits for children.

I feel we should accept our child no matter what but this research would be able to get rid of diseases such as Down syndrome. However we can’t do any more than scan for diseases. This is PGD or Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis. PGD is done in embryos created through InVitro Fertilization, basically where an egg and sperm from the parents are taken to a lab and fertilized there. At that time it is implanted in the mother’s womb. During the period of PGD, the embryos are scanned for certain diseases. If today’s technology allows us to remove diseases, I think it is acceptable to have this.

Humorous comic

I agree that people believe it is wrong that we are choosing the traits for our babies making them perfect, rather than making them with our DNA. Designing a child for cosmetic purposes is wrong as many people would want a same child. Many races would be created causing discrimination. We should not be changing the child as we are getting a gift of life.

If this technology was created in the future, it would be abused on changing the cosmetic traits of their child. Of course they would make a perfect child to their eyes. I am for this research for the ability of removing certain diseases. However, I am not for this just to change my child’s cosmetic appearance. I would love my child for what it is. Many people are against this because it is a huge risk and waste of money. Currently, all this procedure does is that it allows us to prevent babies from diseases before pregnancy, and save lives.

References:

http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/agar.html

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/in_vitro_fertilization/article_em.htm

http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/db_cont1.htm

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/273415-overview

Photos I used:

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/rjo0403l.jpg

http://www.scientificamerican.com/media/inline/regulate-designer-babies_1.jpg

Blogs I commented:
Patricia Relatado
Dora Lam

Save the Forest!

It is said that humans are the most invasive species in the world due to the way the media portrays our interaction with the change of environment and living things. It’s true we have done many activities that have destroyed and risked the lives of many species; however people around the world are progressing to take action to maintain the biodiversity of our ecosystems.



A general map of the Amazon biome



Let’s take the Amazon Rainforest for example. This rainforest covers an area of 6.7 km², surrounding areas in Brazil, Bolivia Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana, and more. Within the last decade, at least 1,200 species of plants and vertebrates have been discovered within the Amazon vicinity. However, in the future years, the Amazon Rainforest could become extinct due to the needs of humanity.

Today, the agricultural business has been in growth for years and is still growing strong. Driven by demand from around the world, 19,000 km² of the rainforest was deforested between 2000 and 2007. All this deforestation has been converted into sugar cane fields, cattle ranches, timber plantations, soy farms, and more. Due to the booming agricultural business, the Amazon has been completely integrated into the global economy while also trying to meet economic demands.

What could happen to the Amazon Rainforest

Deforestation and illegal logging has affected the Amazon Rainforest to a high value. In the past 50 years, 17% of the Amazon forest has been lost because of this. There are many impacts of deforestation on the Amazon Rainforest. Social impacts are one of them. With deforestation, the benefit on natural resources will become very scarce towards the people that are in need of it. Aside from social impacts, the loss of biodiversity is also occurring. With deforestation in progress, many species would lose their habitant and can no longer reside in what is left. On a positive note, deforestation has dropped down 14% from August 2009 to July 2010. This small amount of percentage tells us that there is proof there can be hope into stopping all of the deforestation.

A WWF volunteer working at the Amazon Rainforest

So what are people doing around the world to help the Amazon Rainforest? Well, WWF is doing all it can to protect the Amazon conservation. In fact, WWF has a strong relationship with the Amazon Rainforest; they have been working there for more than 40 years. With the rapid rate of deforestation, they find objectives and solutions to stop this. WWF has come up with many objectives such as promoting a sustainable use of natural resources in order to provide incentives to maintain the natural habitant and consolidating a network of protected areas that represents the region’s biodiversity. With working with the World Bank, they’ve come up with 3 targets to their approach: improved implementation of existing protected area, new protected areas, and the certification of timber management.

Humans are an invasive species however we also help and sustain on saving our biodiversity, helping millions of species and creating a better earth. Humans can prevent deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest and turn the land into a better biodiversity.

References:
http://rainforests.mongabay.com/0803.htm

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/forests/amazon/

http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/amazon/index.html

http://www.amazon-rainforest.org/destruction.html

http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/amazon/

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/amazon/problems/

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/climate/as-we-strive-for-zero-deforestation-rates-in-/blog/29246

Photos I used:

http://photos.mongabay.com/07/brazil/amazon_basin_map-max.jpg

http://www.celsias.co.nz/media/uploads/admin/Amazon.jpg

http://static.rainforestrescue.sky.com/assets/images/2010/10/11_jpg_1000x690_crop_q100.jpg

Blogs I commented:
Kyle Tran
Kim Abanador

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