The fundamental theme of my global seminar project is sustainable energy. We are just beginning to trot down the narrow path leading to the much-anticipated end of the research paper. Throughout our research, we have discovered that mass-energy consumption is only expected to escalate and impose a burden upon the environment. Essentially, by utilizing fossil fuels to provide energy, greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. In attempts to mitigate the burden from the growing populations’ need for electricity, conversion to sustainable energy sources continues to increase. During the various fieldwork and assorted lectures, it is evident that we need to look to new research, perspectives, and innovations to address the concerns of maintaining sustainable communities.  Continue reading →

Do you know that cows burp? I didn’t know that. Turns out that cows can.

Burping is part of their digestive process when the bacteria and protozoa in the rumen break down what they have eaten. Said gases include carbon dioxide and methane; the two leading greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. I didn’t know that was a thing until I was in my global seminar group, researching ways to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture. So why is this such a big deal? Continue reading →

Honestly, going into Governor’s school I believed the agricultural field consisted of farmers, harvesting crops, and taking them to market. Governor’s school has given me many opportunities to explore new ideas and even the outcomes. My Global Seminar project assignment was to discover the ways that agricultural practices can limit greenhouse gas emissions. We soon learned that cows are actually the leading factor of greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural practices. It’s not transportation or fertilizer, but cows. This opened my eyes to the true extent of how everyone is affected by the agricultural field and its outcomes.   Continue reading →

Introduction:
So far in Virginia Tech’s Governor’s School for Agriculture, the 100 students have hit the ground running. In the three full days we have attended, we have sat through hours of lectures, attended communications classes, and been assigned a hefty project to complete with total strangers. My group has been assigned the task of proposing a solution to childhood obesity while focusing on the parental aspect of the problem. Continue reading →