FGCU Sustainability & Food Forest Journal

The question that was asked during this field trip was that of sustainability and how we can change our habits in an effort to better achieve this. We were asked what we thought the definition was, and I believe that it is defined as actions taken in order to remain here while taking into account other life living alongside us, and those who are to come and experience the future that we will leave them. 

As for the chapter in our textbook, I'd say that the sentence “we are part of linked systems of humans and nature, so the study of sustainability goes beyond environmentalism,” made me think more so about the topic and how it relates to me. It reminds me of the work the school has done in order to maintain balance between our progress and nature which is present in mere compactors which prevents the presence of trash and thus keeps the environment clean.

Ex. 1

The book also mentions “the new domain is a new stable state, and the change is often irreversible,” which brought my thoughts over to the environment around the university. The university like many other buildings in Florida was built on land that's prone to flooding; in clearing out forest and ground that destroyed the original environment, one change they made that kept the future in mind was the use of ponds to prevent flooding. This puts the environment into a new stable state, but the change from what it was originally is irreversible. 

Ex. 2

The sentence “sustainability and resilience are not synonymous but are interrelated concepts,” which is something that the university tries to take into account in every effort it makes for sustainability. In attempting to advance and stay resilient, sustainability is often forgotten. However, FGCU attempted to balance the two and can even be seen in construction such as that of the Seidler building. 

Ex. 3

What really impressed me was the use of cooling system that works differently from conventional air conditioning units, which uses a sort of radiator style cooling using running water in a larger system.

Ex. 4

I do not believe that I am a very sustainable person. I do make an effort to prevent some of these wastes whether it be in food, litter, and gas. I still need practice in preventing food waste or at least using the food that's gone bad for another purpose before simply throwing it out. I try not to throw any litter on the ground outside and try to always find a trash can. The use of gas is something that I cannot change, I only ever drive when it's a necessity usually for school or to go to the store.

Paniagua, Ricardo. (Ex. 1) FGCU trash compactor, 18 Jan.
Paniagua, Ricardo. (Ex. 2) FGCU pond near observatory, 18 Jan.
Paniagua, Ricardo. (Ex. 3) FGCU Seidler Building
Paniagua, Ricardo. (Ex. 4) FGCU air conditioning system
Robertson, Margaret. Sustainability Principles and Practice, Taylor & Francis Group, 2021. ProQuest eBook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fgcu/detail.action?docID=6457832.


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