Y-Green's Feature Friday: Aquaponics UK - Sustainable Food Production

Aquaponics UK is a not for profit social enterprise that provides support for the development of Aquaponics. 

What is Aquaponics? Aquaponics integrates the best qualities of Aquaculture and Hydroponics to grow healthy organic food in a local, sustainable manner.

 

The fish and plants are grown in symbiotic unison to achieve a balanced, closed loop system of agriculture, where the system feeds and waters itself. Waste from the fish provide nutrients for the plants, and the plants filter the water for the fish. Crops are constantly harvested and plant trimmings are composted in a wormery to provide food for the fish. The system is then surrounded with a greenhouse, where lady bugs and other beneficial insects are added to create a sustainable Aquaponics Cycle.

In this TED Talks presentation, Charlie Price from Aquaponics UK, explains the role aquaponics can play in the future of our collective food supply. He also provides insightful information about the applications for aquaponics. But more specifically, he acknowledges aquaponics as a new approach to creating sustainable urban agriculture within any community.

My conclusion, is that aquaponics will empower thousands of people worldwide to become more self-sufficient, and grow their own food for their household, and community. I also agree with Mr. Prince that aquaponics has the potential to create more resilient communities. 

Aquaponics can be utilized as a great educational tool for schools to teach their students about sustainable food production.

Aquaponics UK, proves that we can turn waste into resources, by transforming misused urban spaces into a commercially viable, sustainable way to produce healthy, nutritious food. The examples Mr. Price shows in his presentation also proves; that by growing food with a sustainable Aquaponics system. We can protect the environment, conserve valuable resources and grow healthy abundant food locally, 365 days a year.

The future looks bright for Aquaponics UK, and I'm convinced that aquaponics is a very timely and much needed sustainable method of farming that will help End World Hunger.

"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."   

- Chinese Proverb

For more information about Aquaponics UK, be sure to visit their website and learn how you can implement Aquaponics in your own community. 


( Images provided by Aquaponics UK )

Y-Green's Feature Friday: SPACE Canada - Space Based Solar Power

SPACE Canada (Solar Power Alternative for Clean Energy) is a not for profit organization dedicated to the promotion of solar energy from space. Their mission is to be a leader in the promotion of space based solar power, significantly reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and envisions: 

• A world that is free from the harmful effects of climate change/global warming
• A world that is secure; providing global access to an endless supply of safe, clean energy
• A world that is just; ensuring affordable energy to developing nations

Along with these noble aspirations, SPACE Canada maintains a strong set of values that are:

• Grounded in scientific principles
• Dedicated to social justice
• Open to creativity, innovation and imagination

To accomplish these goals; their mandate is to promote, support and encourage space based solar power through research, education and commercialization. They also facilitate international dialogue to enable individuals, organizations and governments to engage in dialogue regarding the benefits, safety and feasibility of space based solar energy. 

To engage their audiences curiosity and desire to learn about this innovative technology, SPACE Canada produced this video. 

 

It explains that space based solar panels could: 

• Absorb 10 times more energy than ground based solar panels 
• Produce energy 24 hours a day 
• Provide us with more energy than we need

 

These are all exciting possibilities and all-though they are not yet a reality, they could be within our lifetime. I also find SPACE Canada's aspirations to be more than noble! This kind of technology could create a paradigm shift, pave the way for more innovation and revolutionize the way we think about energy.

To learn more about SPACE Canada or to donate to their organization; be sure to check out their website for details. 

Y-Green's Feature Friday - The Solar Impulse

 

The Solar Impulse is a single occupancy, solar powered airplane with a wingspan of 64 meters, and it's total weight is approximately 1400 Kg's. The Solar Impulse's 4 electric motors are powered by 12,000 solar cells, and the output produced from these solar panels is equivalent to that of a small motorcycle. The frames construction consists of lightweight carbon material, and it's power is stored via 400 Kg's of batteries which are evenly distributed throughout the aircraft. 

July.9th 2010; the Solar Impulse completed a 26 hour test flight and proved the plane could stay flying at night with the energy that its solar cells collected during the day.

May.12th 2011; the Solar Impulse team, set out to make the solar planes 1st international flight  across France, Luxembourg and Belgium.

12 hours and 59 minutes later; pilot Andre Borschberg, successfully landed in Brussels to complete the Solar Impulses 370 mile international flight and made Aviation History.  

The Solar Impulse's next flight is scheduled in June where it will be exhibited at the Paris Air Show.

(Images provided by: The Tech Journal & The Daily Mail)