Building Future-Pigs: Less Phosphorus, Fewer Dead Zones
A genetically engineered pig recently approved for limited production in Canada makes urine and feces that contain up to 65 percent less phosphorous, officials have announced. That could be good news for lakes, rivers, and ocean deltas, where phosphorous from animal waste can play a role in causing algal blooms. These outbursts of algae rapidly deplete the water’s oxygen, creating vast dead zones for fish and other aquatic life. (Related: “World’s Largest Dead Zone Suffocating Sea.”) Dubbed...
Read MoreKnowing a Product’s “Water Footprint”
If you think your morning cup of joe only has 12 ounces (35 centiliters) of water in it, you’re sorely mistaken—it has closer to 40 gallons (150 liters). Conservation scientists say it’s time consumers become aware of the quantity and source of water that goes into growing, manufacturing and shipping food. As currently defined, a product’s water footprint is an inventory of the total amount of water that goes into its manufacture. For that cup of coffee, for instance, most of the 40 gallons...
Read MoreEarth News that Matters
EARTH HOUR March 27: Symbol or Substance? Ker Than for National Geographic News Published March 26, 2010 For Earth Hour 2010, record-breaking millions of businesses, homes, and landmarks around the world will turn off their lights Saturday evening for the sake of the planet, conservationists say. Now in its fourth year, Earth Hour—which takes place from 8:30 to 9:30 local time on March 27—will be bigger than ever this year, said Leslie Aun, a spokesperson for the conservation nonprofit WWF, which ...
Read MoreGetting Off the Grid
If you haven’t heard of the “Bloom Box”, chances are, you will. This might be the first of the fuel-cell technologies to actually, economically (in today’s market) produce electricity at the point of use. Today, it is only affordable by the top dogs. In a few years, homes might have them, or municipalities like the Town of Floyd. Decentralized, point of use energy generation will likely–if not replace–augment whatever source we use to power the national grid. Localizing our...
Read MoreWhat is sustainability?
What is Sustainability? “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” (United Nations Bruntland Commission) At SustainFloyd we believe sustainability means working on solutions for today’s challenges while always looking towards the future. By practicing responsible land management, energy consumption and food production we can satisfy our current needs while also allowing, or even...
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