Friday’s Big Global Warming Report: 5 Takeaways

Friday’s Big Global Warming Report: 5 Takeaways

Earth Market, a Greenville original

Yesterday I had the privilege to go a farmer's market that is unique to the whole United States. The Earth Market has only about a dozen vendors. Why? Because each vendor has to go through a rigorous process to get certified. Everything sold there is organic, sustainable, GMO-free, anything you want in a slow food movement. Here are some photos:

And here is a funny editorial from the Huffington Post about how to survive Whole Foods that I read after going to this great market.

Go explore a farmer's market in your hometown, you won't regret it! 

Task #2 - Scavenger Hunt

(Also known as a great excuse to blow off schoolwork and just breathe while exploring Furman's beautiful campus).

We were instructed to find as many items as possible relating to sustainability efforts on campus from a list of certain features. I didn't really try too hard to find many of these places/innovations if they involved walking too far away from my dorm. What can I say. I'm lazy. Here are some of the places I found:

THE FARM! This is a 1/4 acre organic wonderland where I spend two hours a day learning about gardening practices while helping out Bruce Adams, the Farm Manager. My first day of working here was last Monday and I've already learned so much! I even got free food!

THE SHI CENTER! (or rather a side of the Shi Center). This is where the ECOS program has it's classes. It is powered by solar energy, which is used both to heat water and power the offices inside.  

A WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATION! I know this isn't unique to Furman, but goshdarnit these things are so cool! 

and finally...

A SOMEWHAT CREEPY STATUE OF A SMALL CHILD! This is near the Thoreau cabin replica, which is also somewhat creepy.

Now you have a basic understanding of the numerous sustainability initiatives and amenities Furman has installed throughout campus, right? If not, at least you have an idea of how bad I am at photography. Hopefully I'll improve in that field eventually... Anyway, that's all for this week! Next week's task involves more galavanting only this time we get to explore local farmer's markets. I wonder if the farmers will give me huge free samples if I tell them that I'm visiting their stand for class credit...

Welcome to my blog

Hello random person on the Internet!

This, as you probably know, is a blog devoted to the Furman University ECOS program. I'm in this program because I want to learn more about humans' interactions with the environment. I also find the stuff we're learning in class simultaneously fascinating and terrifying. For instance, did you know that "up to 30 % of all mammal, bird and amphibian species will be threatened with extinction this century" (Rockstrom et al, 2009)? Crazy right? Eventually, I would like to be an environmental journalist. I've also never had a blog until this past week so please go easy on me, I honestly don't know what I'm doing. Hopefully blogging will get easier! 

Well, that's me. See ya soon.