Journal Entry #4: Green Technologies
This week we started our green technology presentations. Each of us was to research a green technology that can be incorporated into a home or building. I chose to do the "Water Recycling Shower," but originally I wanted to do the solar-powered watering bowl for cattle that my Dad has been trying out on our farm. I would still like to write a little about it because I am very proud of my Dad for making an effort to be more green. Also I think it's quite a neat contraption, and it's important to increase the sustainability of agricultural operations too.
As all of us in the environmental field are aware, Lake Winnipeg has huge eutophication problems. Contributing to this problem is cattle refuse, which is inevitably dropped into the water when they wade into a slough, lake, or stream to drink. Eventually the nutrients in the poo slowly make their way into Lake Wpg. If we could stop them doing their business in the water in the first place, it would really help.
Enter...the solar panel watering bowl!!
Essentially, it consists of a solar panel powered pump that connects a lake or slough to the watering bowl. The lake can now be fenced off so the cattle can't defecate in the water. The watering bowl has a motion sensor so that when a cow pokes its head in, the bowl fills with water. This is also a great invention because it means that my Dad or brothers don't have to chop the watering hole every day in the winter (which is an extremely cold, wet, and exhausting job).
This is my favorite type of invention because it is both convenient for the farmer and good for the environment. The general public has a very difficult time accepting changes if they have to sacrifice a lot. Generally I think people are also starting to have a long-term view rather than short-term. IF people have the money, they would be okay with spending a bit more up front in anticipation of a pay-off later.
However, there are a lot of people living paycheck-to-paycheck out there too. At this time it would be nice to have the government step in and implement more subsidy or rebate programs so that green technologies can be affordable for everyone.
This week we started our green technology presentations. Each of us was to research a green technology that can be incorporated into a home or building. I chose to do the "Water Recycling Shower," but originally I wanted to do the solar-powered watering bowl for cattle that my Dad has been trying out on our farm. I would still like to write a little about it because I am very proud of my Dad for making an effort to be more green. Also I think it's quite a neat contraption, and it's important to increase the sustainability of agricultural operations too.
As all of us in the environmental field are aware, Lake Winnipeg has huge eutophication problems. Contributing to this problem is cattle refuse, which is inevitably dropped into the water when they wade into a slough, lake, or stream to drink. Eventually the nutrients in the poo slowly make their way into Lake Wpg. If we could stop them doing their business in the water in the first place, it would really help.
Enter...the solar panel watering bowl!!
Essentially, it consists of a solar panel powered pump that connects a lake or slough to the watering bowl. The lake can now be fenced off so the cattle can't defecate in the water. The watering bowl has a motion sensor so that when a cow pokes its head in, the bowl fills with water. This is also a great invention because it means that my Dad or brothers don't have to chop the watering hole every day in the winter (which is an extremely cold, wet, and exhausting job).
This is my favorite type of invention because it is both convenient for the farmer and good for the environment. The general public has a very difficult time accepting changes if they have to sacrifice a lot. Generally I think people are also starting to have a long-term view rather than short-term. IF people have the money, they would be okay with spending a bit more up front in anticipation of a pay-off later.
However, there are a lot of people living paycheck-to-paycheck out there too. At this time it would be nice to have the government step in and implement more subsidy or rebate programs so that green technologies can be affordable for everyone.
Works Cited:
The Cattle Site. Remote Pasture Water Systems for Livestock. Retrived on: Feb.5/11. Found at: http://www.thecattlesite.com/articles/1308/remote-pasture-water-systems-for-livestock
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