1. “Going Green”
Brief History and the pros and cons of some Green Methods such as organic gardening/farming, natural methods of pest control, hydroponics, xeriscaping, energy efficient homes and appliances, and hybrid cars.

2. What is Going Green?
Well in simple terms Going Green means being environmentally conscious. Environmentally conscious means knowing about how things effect the environment and practicing methods that have minimal effect on the environment, in turn reducing your impact on the environment.

3. Brief History of Going Green
The push for the Modern Environmental Movement began with the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring in 1962.
The book documented the effects of chemicals on the environment, especially in bird populations.
It brought attention to the misuse of chemicals and the misinformation about the chemical DDT, which was used to combat malaria.
Why are compounds with chlorine so potentially dangerous?

5. Brief History of Going Green
The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970.
An estimated 200 million people participated across the country, making it the largest demonstration ever in American History.

7. Brief History of Going Green
June 9, 1970 – Environmental Protection Agency established
October 2, 1970 – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration established

8. Green Practices Pros/Cons
Organic Gardening/Farming
Natural Pest Control
Hydroponics
Xeriscaping
Energy Efficient Homes/Appliances
Hybrid Cars

9. Organic Gardening/Farming
Agricultural methods where there is little to no use of chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides, and genetically engineered seeds.

10. Organic Gardening/Farming
Pros
Cons
Healthy for soil, crops, and you
Preserves good garden bugs
Reduces erosion
Improve Water conservation
Saves money in the long run
Reduces organic wastes in landfills
Time consuming
Costly to begin
smaller crop yields
Inconsistent results

11. A great read for looking at Agribusiness and it’s effects on society
The Omnivore’s Dilemma
by Michael Pollan
Published April, 2006
Discusses food chains
Industrial
Pastoral
Personal

12. Pest Control
To control pest organisms, humans have developed Pesticides – chemicals used to kill or control populations of organisms that humans consider undesirable.
Insecticides (insect killers)
Herbicides (weed killers)
Fungicides (fungus killers)
Rodenticides (rat and mouse killers)
However, plants have been producing natural chemicals to ward off, deceive, or poison herbivores that try to feed on them, since the beginning of their existence.
First-generation pesticides – natural chemicals borrowed from plants.
Second-generation pesticides – produced in the laboratory.

13. Pest Control
The question becomes “Do we use conventional or natural pesticides for our agricultural needs?”
IPM – integrated pest management
This program evaluates each crop and its pests as part of an ecological system. Then farmers develop a control program that uses a combination of cultivation, biological controls, and chemical tools and techniques, applied in a coordinated way.
The Habitable Planet - Agriculture Unit 7

14. Synthetic Pest Control
Pros
Cons
Save Lives
Increase Food Supplies
Increase Profits for Farmers
Work Fast
When used properly their health risks are very low relative to their benefits
Newer pest control methods are safer and more effective than many older ones
Accelerate genetic resistance
Put farmers on a financial treadmill
Kill beneficial biota
Cause pollution
Kill wildlife
Threaten human health

15. Natural Pest Control Method Cons
Fool Pest with variety of cultivation practices
Provide homes for pest utilizing polyculture
Implant genetic resistance
Bring in natural enemies
Use pheromone traps
Use hormones
Scalding practices
There are only three major cons when utilizing natural pest control methods.
Time consuming
Costly
Require high level of skill

16. Hydroponics
Hydroponics is the method of organically growing plants without soil by providing all nutrients in the plants water supply.

17. Hydroponics Pros Cons Systems are expensive
Outdoor pests cannot harm the produce
Plants grow faster, bigger, and can be grown year round
Allows for small indoor organic gardens
Uses low amounts of water
No need for synthetic pesticides or fertilizers
Plants are more nutritious
Systems are expensive
Have to get supplies through a specialty shop
There can be swift changes in the chemistry of the growing medium
Requires more research, attention, and care

18. Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is the landscaping and gardening practices that eliminate the use of irrigation. Is not the same as “zero-scaping” where much of the land cover is hard surfaces with few accent plants. Xeriscaping emphasis does not necessarily have to involve native plants, but rather plants that are drought resistant. Xeriscaping can still produce beautiful landscapes while drastically reducing the amount of water used with traditional lawns.

20. Xeriscaping Pros Cons Reduces Water use
Makes more water available for other uses
Designs take advantage of average rainfall
Plants survive during water restrictions
Can be visually more interesting than lawns
Saves money
Unsuitable for traditional uses of Kentucky bluegrass, such as baseball and soccer fields
Sometimes deemed aesthetically unpleasant

21. Energy-Efficient Homes and Appliances
Energy-Efficient Homes are homes that require little energy to heat, cool, and provide electricity. They typically are comprised of Energy-Efficient Appliances. The less electricity you are using in your home, means the less polluting emissions are being released into the atmosphere by your power plant. There are many technologies and appliances available to help achieve an Energy-Efficient Home.

22. Energy-Efficient Homes and Appliances
Technologies
Appliances
Geothermal Heating
Solar Panels
Solar Heating
Wind Turbines
LED bulbs and fluorescent Lighting
Energy-Efficient Windows
Low flow toilets and faucets
Energy and Water Saving Washers/Dryers
Energy Saving Electronics, TV’s, computers,
Tankless Water Heaters

24. Energy-Efficient Homes and Appliances
Pros
Cons
Can save money
Reduce energy needed
Reduce electricity use
Save water
Minimize pollution
Expensive to install/repair
Over use
Not aesthetically appealing
Insufficient energy needs
Long pay-off

25. Hybrid Cars
And now, introducing the world’s most environmentally friendly vehicle.
JUST KIDDING!
ITS’ RIGHT THERE
Dude, they’ve got a cannon.
48 miles to the gallon and 108
mph top speed. We got this.

26. Hybrid Cars
Hybrid Cars merge internal combustion engines with electric motors for better fuel efficiency. They can be classified by their drivetrains as Series or Parallel. Series Drivetrain – includes electric motor, gasoline engine, computer controls, battery and generator. Only the electric motor directly turns the wheels. (larger battery & motor, smaller gas engine) Parallel Drivetrain – include gasoline engine, electric motor, computer controls, and battery. Both the engine and motor connect to the transmission to turn the wheels. (larger gas engine, smaller battery & motor) Note: Series are ideal for suburban and urban driving, while the Parallel is better for highway driving. Why?

27. Hybrid Cars Pros Cons Clean Energy Performance Improvements Incentives
Regenerative Braking
Lower Fossil Fuel Dependence
Lighter weight
Smaller engine
Higher resale value
Lower Power output
Poorer handling
Higher center of Gravity
Expensive
Higher Maintenance Cost
Quieter than conventional

28. BMW i8 Specs: Sale Price: 135,700 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds
362hp and 420 lb-ft torque
94 mpg fuel efficiency
220-volt Level 2 charger battery that charges completely in 1.5 hrs
Who says going green can’t be done with gusto and style?

29. References
Environmental History
Organic Farming
Hydroponics
Xeriscaping
Energy Efficiency
Living in the Environment: Miller/Spoolman; 2011, 16th edition. Pages
Pesticides
Living in the Environment: Miller/Spoolman; 2011, 16th edition. Pages
Hybrid Cars