#astrand

Many aspects of the current system of food production in the United States are harmful to the environment. Using animals for food, they consume a lot of resources in the most expeditious means. The production of some crops require a large amount of pesticides and pesticides cause environmental damage. Genetic engineering can also have harmful effects on the environment. Unfortunately, it appears that current methods of food production are damaging the environment for future generations. A system of food production for a diet that is so focused on animals using many more resources. For example, it takes more water to produce one pound of beef than it does to produce a pound of beans, vegetables or fruit. According to research by John Robbins takes 23 gallons of water to produce one pound of lettuce, 25 gallons of water to produce one pound of wheat, 49 gallons of water to produce one pound of apples, 815 gallons of water to produce one pound of chicken, and a whopping 5,214 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. At this rate, aquifers are being depleted rapidly. However, many people try to keep their water at home. However, water conservation efforts of individuals have a small bump that in comparison, "you can save more water by not eating a kilo of beef than you would by not showering for six whole months." Grazing can also contribute to the depletion of land if the land is overgrazed. With plants and grasses are gone, the soil is bare and their nutrients are easily washed. Resources that could have been used for humans are used for animals. Most of the crops cultivated today are fed to the animals that will soon be our food. The food production system could be safer for the environment if people ate more plant-centered diet. Pesticide use in agriculture many today also environmentally friendly. Many of these pesticides contaminate the water supply. The residues of these pesticides may end up in predator through biomagnification. Part of the solution is to find ways to use less pesticides. However, it is also important to realize that many farmers oppose any risk that insects could take care of their crops. In another part of that solution is then to find safer pesticides for use on crops. We need to develop pesticides that are not harmful to predators or people who can consume the pesticide residues. Regulation in the development of new pesticides have created "a serious slowdown in the development of these types of pest control tools that both environmentalists and farmers have loved most." The new and safer pesticides take so long to approve it is often easier to continue to use more dangerous chemicals. Testing procedures involved also require a large amount of money. Making it difficult for safer chemicals to come to the market results in the continued use of more harmful chemicals into the environment. Your continued use of pesticides in our current way can have many adverse effects on the environment. There is some potential for genetically engineered crops harm the environment too. GM food can spread their genes altered in wild varieties of the same plant. According to an article in Scientific American "U.S. logistics landscape, it is unlikely that herbicide-tolerant crops or Bt genes will spread their GM. "However, there have been cases of GM crops spreading their genes to the plants from traditional varieties. These GM crops can contaminate organic crops by cross pollination. However, instead of apologizing to farmers for the destruction of valuable organic crops, "Monsanto has sued farmers whose crops have been contaminated by cross pollination, accusing [. . .] By stealing a patented product. "Since we know that these genes can be transferred to other crops of the original variety, it is reasonable to assume that if these crops are planted close to the wild soon transgenic DNA can be found in them. This could be a bad thing if these varieties were a failure. Once genetically modified plants have been introduced, there is no way to take back. It is important first to make these plants are not only safe, but effective. If plants are made to resist insects, must stand the test of time. Later insects can become resistant to these crops and genetically modified crops original plants were contaminated all be vulnerable. Without more testing and time it is difficult to know what damage we are doing to our environment with genetically modified crops. The current system of food production in the United States could hardly be considered safe for the environment. With some changes, it is possible that we can move towards a safer and more sustainable. We must work towards the conservation of resources in agriculture. A change in the American diet may be necessary to preserve our existing resources. The reduced dependence on pesticides would also benefit the environment. At a minimum, we need to change the use of less harmful pesticides. The harmful effects of genetically modified organisms should be investigated further before introducing new variants for many species in our environment. Without changing our ways, we are only going to harm the environment even more. Changes in our food production system could greatly benefit the environment.

Spring is in the air! It is time to put away the heavy trappings of winter and start thinking bright, airy and refreshing. Just as we throw more clothes as the temperature rises, so too can your home. It's the natural thing to do! Just think of "naked" when you go from room to room, and use these tips to get your spring décor in harmony with nature. You will love the result - a delicious taste of spring all over! These spring decorating ideas are just the thing for a price conscious spring makeover for your home. And, of course, it's your choice if you want to get naked to get into the "naked" decorate mindset! Enjoy! Nakedness In The KitchenHow many things on the kitchen counter? Is it covered with a can opener, a toaster, a blender, a coffeemaker, a coffee bean grinder, and more? There is probably a cupboard next to the counter where you can store the portable devices. It may take some arranging, but with effort, you can make these devices just as accessible, but out of sight! Do you have a dish rack that takes up much of your disk space? When the dishes dry, add them up and put away the dish rack to keep it out of sight.Now that your drives are nice and naked, put in a little spring beauty with some fresh spring flowers in a vase or pot. Alternatively, fill porcelain cups or cans cream with a few nice little silk flowers.Use scented candles around the floral arrangements for a nice touch. Put spring colored votive candle in clear glass or crystal holders. Or use a flat candlestick with some of the flowers sprinkled around the light on base.If you have a kitchen window above the sink, put a few small decorative pots of freshly growing herbs such as mint, there. Not only can you enjoy the new growth in spring to your spring decor, but you may also enjoy the delicious flavors of fresh herbs, too! Thinking 'Naked' In The Living Room SpringHill decorate the living room or family room using the same "naked" mindset. Even if you have heavy or overstuffed furniture in dark colors, there are things you can do to ease it up for spring.To begin, remove the clutter. Keep only the most relevant journals and magazines that you have not read even a newspaper stand. Give away or store rest.For bookshelves, is a spring decorating idea that works well to mix parts of books with photographs, memorabilia, or other decorations. If they are full of books already, storing many of the books that you will not read in the near future. Crop it down to where the books take up perhaps half of the shelves. OK, so they are only half naked. This opens up space for other items. As you decorate for spring, using light, light, or floral theme picture frames and decorations. Light and small vases of flowers are also welcome on the shelves. Your final agreement on all things should look bright, spacious and uncrowded. There should be no naked space. If your shelves tend to be dark, add additional lighting in your shelves.Bring in the spring. Replace your heavy drapes with light springy fabrics and colors for a refreshing change. Use light or pastel-colored pillows and rugs. If your outfit is really dark, you can put the spring covers for a complete change. If this is not an option, cream colored accessories fit well with dark colors. Take in enough of the light cream, and you will be surprised how much difference it can make! The Naked bathroom once again, less clutter the better. Put away all makeup and grooming supplies in a cupboard or drawer. Make these disks naked except for your spring decor. A slight new shower curtain, along with matching towels, rug and toilet seat cover give the bathroom a breath of fresh air too! Even a small bathroom can benefit from flowers, birds and butterflies in spring. Here is a simple spring decorating project. Find one or two light, airy, half-baskets with flat backs. If you can find the ones made of wood branches, as long twigs, they work fine. Fill the base with moss. Add a few silk flowers and a fake bird or two (the beautiful ones covered in real feathers) from the craft store. Top with a small butterfly. Voila!'Naked' In The Bedroom this same light, airy and "naked" spring decorating mindset is perfect to bring new life to your bedroom. As with the other rooms, get rid of all clutter. Strip everything down to pure nakedness, and then decorate it easy and economical. Curtains, pillows, and bed coverings should all reflect new and fresh spring. Use bright colors and fine fabrics. Fresh flowers and candles in crystal holders bring spring beauty and fragrance for your added pleasure.Lighting and fresh air in your spring DecoratingAs a final touch, make sure you let as much natural light as possible. (If you took off your clothes to say "naked", now it's time to put them back on.) Open all the windows to let out the winter and take in the fresh winds. If your house is still looking dark, consider investing in more or larger windows or some skylights. Or visit your neighborhood home center or lighting store for new ideas on getting more light in your home.See what difference thinking "nude" does in your spring decorating? In these few simple steps, you can give your home a complete makeover and fill it with freshness, new life, and the natural beauty of spring.