Creatures of the wind

Since 1990, Danish artist Theo Jansen has been working on a new creation: skeletons made of electrical conduits which move using windpower.  These animals have evolved through several generations over the last twelve years.  The eventual goal is to put the animaIs out in herds on the beaches, where they can live their own lives.

Jansen refers to the sculptures as life forms, which has resulted in some backlash commentary that the sculptures are not alive, that they are plastic, and that they are not environmentally sensitive due to the materials used.  However, the concept is an artistic one, where Jansen sees himself as a sort of Creator.  As his sculptures progress and evolve, they have become more life-like.  The incredible science supporting the artistic endeavor cannot go unnoticed, as we look to the wind as an alternative energy source… something Jansen’s creatures have been using since their inception.

If older movies had internet access…

Ever wonder about the outcome of older movies had the characters had Google, Amazon, or Netflix?

Road trip and wildlife

AAA has projected the number of Americans traveling on vacation this Memorial Day holiday weekend will increase 5.4 percent from 2009 with approximately 32.1 million travelers taking a trip away from home. Trips by auto are expected to increase in popularity with 87 percent or 28.0 million people reaching their destination by driving.

You’re probably expecting me to chime in with statistics about the amount of fossil fuel that will be burned, or how to make your trip more sustainable by packing water in reusable containers and buying snacks at local farmer’s markets along the way.

Instead, I’m going to talk about wildlife.

According to the Humane Society, people kill more wildlife with their cars than in any other way. However, they offer a lot of sensible tips to keep animals– and ourselves– safe during the upcoming road trip season:

Be especially watchful for wildlife at dawn, dusk, and in the first few hours after darkness falls. Many species of wildlife are most active at these times.

Edges of roads that border agricultural fields or natural habitats are places to be particularly watchful for wildlife.

Assume that animals do not know to get out of your way. Young animals, in particular, do not recognize cars as a threat.

Lower your dashboard lights slightly. You’ll be more likely to see your headlights reflected in the eyes of animals in time to brake.

Every apple core, french fry, and smelly sandwich wrapper tossed out of a car attracts wildlife to roadsides—often with fatal results. Never throw litter from your car.

Remember that where there is one animal crossing, there may be more, young animals following their mother or male animals pursuing a mate.

Try to slow down, especially after dark. Many animals needlessly become victims simply because people drive too fast to avoid hitting them. Speed poses a risk to human safety as well.

Enjoy the upcoming holiday weekend. Pack some water in a reusable container. Stop for snacks (or lunch) at a local farmer’s market. And above all, drive safely!

Video Friday: Electronic waste

Video Friday:  electronic waste in Ghana

Farming on water

We’re running out land to feed the world’s exploding population. New York City’s approximately 8 million inhabitants, for instance, eat an amount of food that requires a land mass the size of Virginia to grow. Farms of the future must occupy less space, rely on fewer pesticides and produce food that travels blocks, not miles to our tables, given the skyrocketing cost of fuel.

Tiered aquaponic systems, or minivertical farms in which fish and plants coexist off each other, are sustainable and achievable. With linked ecosystems, the idea is that nothing leaves the facility but food. Aquaponic farming minimizes water use while allowing year-round harvests. The farm sites are not situated in the heartland, on rolling green hills; these urban agricultural farms are located in the heart of cities, in former meatpacking plants, rundown plant nurseries, and truck depots.

In Chicago, one such farm called “The Plant” is located in a 93,500 square foot former meat packing plant. In the basement, microorganisms are eating tilapia waste, converting it into fertilizer for the lettuce, kale and wheatgrass growing in a shallow pool of water nearby. Within a few years, a complex food-production system will be in place, the key to which is a $1 million, yet-to-be-bought anaerobic digester. Everything will be fed into it, from rotting tomatoes and meat, to brown and yellow grease. The digester will convert the waste into gas, which will power a generator, which will power the facility. ComEd will not have to supply electricity.

Most of the power for the anaerobic digester will come from neighboring businesses’ waste. 18 tons a day of biomass will power the farm,
including 2.1 million gallons a year of beefy, sludge bioproduct from a local food-flavoring maker. The brewery, bakeries and the mom-and-pop tenants who will rent commercial kitchen space in the Plant will also send their waste to the digester.

The law permits aquaponic farming only for educational purposes, so the operation is run through a partnership with the Illinois Institute of Technology. Commercial fish farming is forbidden in Chicago because fish are classified as livestock.

All that stands in the Plant’s way are city rules. A change to the code is imperative for this sustainable farming system.