Food Project Reflection #5 (absent)

When I was learning about Ben and Jerry's ice cream I really wanted to focus on where the milk came from and what was in it. I really never really though anything about what I eating and where it was coming from. Milk is a large part of many dairy items that I happen to enjoy, especially Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream from B&J.
It opened my eyes to the mechanization of harvesting milk from cows and how they are treated, as well as the fact that they don't like to waste anything and their product and customers happiness is number 1. This wasn't surprising as when I went on the tour of B&J in Waterbury, VT it was shown just how much they cared about the perfection of their product. The workers there are treated fairly and who wouldn't love to work somewhere where there is unlimited ice cream in plenty of flavors. They are an eco-friendly company as VT doesn't add much to pollution in America since it is quite a rural state.

Blog #10 Chemical Project Reflection

  Reflection   
           In general, I have never really thought about how chemicals play a part in our lives everyday, also how they are in pretty much everything. They may be concealed but they can still be dangerous and we may not know it. I use to underestimate the power of science and chemicals, that was until I was reading about methyl bromide and realized that without its phaseout it would of been extremely detrimental to our environment. Especially now that emissions is increasing and the fight for the perfect fruits and goods is really prevalent.

         I learned that methyl bromide is moderately toxic and for the environment it is extremely dangerous and it would of pushed global warming up a little bit. I also that when it is taken in at high concentrations that it is really dangerous and can cause cancer (type D carcinogen). It can also reproductive effects. I don't have the choice of what my mother buys to use but I try to persuade her to go with the one with the least amount of terrible sounding ingredients. The unscented ones usually have less and also the cheaper ones seem to be the most pungent and have a lot of chemicals. I will continue to try and push towards better for the environment chemicals, ones that won't cause problems and make me shocked when I Google them.

Blog Post #9 Historical Figure

A historical figure that reminds me of Rachel Carson is Marie Curie. She reminds me of Rachel Carson because she started a reformation, and she influenced the way that people thought about things.
Unfortunately I do not know anyone that reminds me of Rachel Carson, but there are probably many people out there that want to change the world for the better. The science enthusiasts and the children that invent things to make the world a better place.
Speaking out sometimes can be hard especially when the opposition has more people on their side, but if it is something that I feel really passionate about then maybe I might. It really is dependent on whether or not the thing I am standing up for will benefit many and not few. 

Blog #6 Consumption in the USA: Homework Assignment

The United States has 5% of the world’s population, but 30% of the total world consumption.

I feel that we believe that as capitalists we can take whatever we want and then leave nothing for anyone else. This makes us extremely selfish and have other countries look at us in awe. 
In addition, this came to exist after the Industrial Revolution when we realized that we could use materials on Earth without anything happening, but in fact alot was happening and we are ignoring it. 

This is a problem because we will eventually hit a stopping point and that could be BAD.

Blog #4: Another Story of Bananas

According the Dole video we watched in class, each banana is taken care of exactly the same and the process has to be perfect or it will be started all over again. In addition, they made it seem like the workers were not mad and doing what they liked to do. 

Article: http://qz.com/164029/tropical-race-4-global-banana-industry-is-killing-the-worlds-favorite-fruit/

In this article it is describing a fungus that is spreading and damaging bananas worldwide, one of the largest banana companies- Chiquita, is downplaying the risk of the fungus even though it is said to be deadly and could bring a big downturn in the banana market. 
The difference here is that in the video they say that the bananas are perfect and then in contrast some have become infected by this fungus and it starts in the roots. BE CAREFUL!

Blog #3: My Food Choices

I usually choose to eat foods that I find delicious, healthy doesn't really come into play unless I am eating with my mother or when I feel like having a little fruit. My favorite foods range from nachos to pasta and salmon and finally to chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

My food relates to sustainability because of how it is made and where it is made. If it is in a clean place and how it affects the world. Also how it plays a part in peoples health.

Blog #2: Me as a Bionaut

Dear Diary,

I have been in the Biosphere for 3 weeks (Day 21), living is becoming easier as I have sort of begin to adapt to the environment, but I can tell that soon tensions will arise. There is already tension between two of the male scientists as they are fighting over whose going to assist me on the daily observation tasks. Its a little uncomfortable in here, especially during the rest periods (alot of them). We are losing oxygen so there is only so much that we can do in a day before we tire out. I miss the "fresh" air and the freedom, I'm getting a little claustrophobic and I may lose it soon. I hope that we finish this experiment quickly because I'm not so sure we are going to last very long in here.

Until Next Time,
CB