Carbon CycleCarbon is always moving. In the atmosphere carbon in attached to the oxygen in the air; this is called carbon dioxide. Plants used carbon dioxide and sunlight to create food; a process known as photo synthesis. Thus, the carbon becomes part of the plant. It may later decay and turns into fossils or fossil fuels. We as humans then burn the fossil fuels releasing carbon into the air. It turns into carbon dioxide, which humans also emit, and the process starts all over again.
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Nitrogen CycleNitrogen is a key component in living organisms. Nitrogen can be converted to ammonia which can be used by plants. Animals can emit ammonia and take in nitrogen by consuming plants. Nitrogen makes up 78% of the earth’s atmosphere by volume. Nitrogen can be found in bacteria
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Oxygen CyclePart of the oxygen cycle is created through plants. Carbon dioxide is used by plants in the process of photosynthesis. Through this process, oxygen is expelled. Plants, animals, and humans use this oxygen for their benefit and expel carbon dioxide. From their the process is started over again. It will remain continuous as long as there are individuals to use oxygen and living organisms to create more oxygen.
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Systems Approach
The moment the seed coats ruptures a life has begun. A cycle has started and it will continue to thrive in the right conditions. Fruit will be borne and a second party will benefit from the success of this plant.
A systems approach is the "idea that all systems effect each other". The success of one system will affect the quality of another systems result. There is a reason why everything has created, a small system of cycles connects to larger system and so on. There is harmony in Mother Nature, but adding different, manmade, cycles can throw off the balance. A systems approach is a way of thinking, it is how we adjust the root cause, instead of fixing just the symptoms.
A systems approach is the "idea that all systems effect each other". The success of one system will affect the quality of another systems result. There is a reason why everything has created, a small system of cycles connects to larger system and so on. There is harmony in Mother Nature, but adding different, manmade, cycles can throw off the balance. A systems approach is a way of thinking, it is how we adjust the root cause, instead of fixing just the symptoms.
Food Diaries
During a 2 1/2 week period the class has been logging down whatever they eat everyday. The goal was to reflect on the quality of what we intake. All I can say in confidence about this is "wow". I am aware what I eat as an individual, I may not eat the healthiest, but I know what types of food I am ingesting and for the most part, I am okay with what I'm eating. Most of the processed foods I eat are fresh produce and/or meat turned into other dishes like stew. I think this was an interesting project. I wasn't surprised with what I saw, but instead I was intrigued to learn what foods qualify as processed.
Local: 0% Organic: 0%. Processed: 77.89%
Processed food: a form of food(s) altered and turned into another form of food
(ex: steaming broccoli, baking bread)
Local: 0% Organic: 0%. Processed: 77.89%
Processed food: a form of food(s) altered and turned into another form of food
(ex: steaming broccoli, baking bread)
Our Responsibility
It is our responsibility to be proactive in the decisions we make when it comes to the food we purchase and consume. The food we consume whether it was bought or self grown, went through a vigorous process. It is important to understand how our food was produced and how it was handled. As a nation we have started to become more self aware what are food is made from, and how the produce was handled before it was put on shelves.
The Hawaiian Islands currently rely on the mainland and other countries for our food. The barges which come in weekly is our source of food. With out the constant incoming goods we would run out of food incredibly fast. To become more food secure on Oahu the government would need to take many steps in order to support local farmers. The income wouldn't be ideal for these individuals, and we would struggles as a state to see any sort of profit from this. The change in numbers wouldn't come for years.
Although it is our responsibility to be more food secure, it is also important to remember that healthy systems have limits. Abusing the land for its resources will only result in more harm down the line. It is important to understand that we must cultivate the land, but we can not abuse what is placed before us.
The Hawaiian Islands currently rely on the mainland and other countries for our food. The barges which come in weekly is our source of food. With out the constant incoming goods we would run out of food incredibly fast. To become more food secure on Oahu the government would need to take many steps in order to support local farmers. The income wouldn't be ideal for these individuals, and we would struggles as a state to see any sort of profit from this. The change in numbers wouldn't come for years.
Although it is our responsibility to be more food secure, it is also important to remember that healthy systems have limits. Abusing the land for its resources will only result in more harm down the line. It is important to understand that we must cultivate the land, but we can not abuse what is placed before us.
Outdoor System
My group has been assigned to an outdoor system, specifically an aquaponics system. In our system we have Kalo, Lettuce, and Mamaki. Each outdoor system has been taken care of by the class for a quarter and a half. It is now the responsibility of my group to take care of the system. If taken care of properly ,the system should help the plants to flourish. The fish will help to provide some of the nutrients the plants need, while the lava rocks will help to create pots of air so the roots won't rot. This form of growing plants is unfamiliar to me, but I hope to learn more and possibly implement it in the future.