Sunday, September 13, 2015

#2 HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN FRESH AIR


A) HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN FRESH AIR

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B) ANALYSIS: 

Researcher Kamal Meattle shows how an arrangement of three common houseplants improve indoor air quality. The Areca Palm, Mother-in-Law's Tongue and Money Plant can be used in specific spots in a home or office building to produce measurably cleaner air. The plants provide health benefits and contribute to our overall well-being by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen and detoxifying the air.  I feel that using plants strategically is a brilliant and simple way to solve indoor-air-quality issues.  I often wonder how having an air conditioner on all the time, fumes from cars, and other common machines and appliances may be silently affecting our health, and the quality of the air. We often develop so many new technologies, with little to no research into the long-term effects it has on us. I think that more offices, homes and any indoor space should start implementing an air-quality improvement plan which includes having more vegetation inside. A simple combination of plants alone can positively contribute to our health by acting as a natural filter that cleans air and removes toxins. I hope to see more innovations like this in the future.

“     "The Bullet answers”

1)    The global impact, national impact, and local / personal impact. 

Globally implementing this plan may help combat some of our carbon emission issues because it provides better air quality in areas that are overpopulated and have poor air quality such as Delhi, where the initial research was done. On a national level, local, and personal level I feel this provides a way to clean the air, it is affordable and with the proper care the plants can last a lifetime. For me, this is great as my youngest daughter was born with under-developed lungs so this seems like a practical, affordable solution to some of her respiratory issues.

    2) Forecast the range of impact over the short term (the next 2 months to 2 years), to the long term (next 20 years to 20 + decades).

In a matter of days it will improve the quality of air, over years you may ease some health related issues, and over your lifetime you will see tremendous benefits from health to productivity. I feel that within 20 years or more we will see more of this in office buildings and homes. I think this can become a similar to the trend of having green roofs.

3) “What could you do, or could be done to create the greatest positive impact on the future.”

I feel that simply buying these specific three plants is an action anyone can take to contribute to the overall quality of air in our living spaces. I think it is also a great reminder that we can combat big, global issues by taking small actions. Complex technology does not have to be the only answer environmental issues. We should consider putting more research into how existing plants and materials in nature that could offer alternative solutions. This will be more cost-effective, less damaging to peoples’ health and more environmentally friendly.

4)“What could you do, or could be done to create the greatest negative impact on the future.”

If we continue to make technological advances intended to solve problems, like cooling a hot building, the biggest mistake we could make is not considering the long-term impact on the planet and our health. As our population expands, we need to think about what will happen if the majority of people are living and working indoors and not incorporating nature and vegetation into our living spaces. Also, massive deforestation often accompanies population growth is an issue that will make these plants, which can improve our quality of life and health less-readily available. 

5)“Which region of the future” does this related closest most to or does this fit in between – or perhaps a region of the future you’d like to define for yourself.

-Bio-Tech, Human-Tech

QUESTIONS 
Is this a realistic solution for everyone,?
What are other options for people who have a lack of space?
 




5 comments:

  1. Look up "super absorber" plants. They clean the soil as well. You might find some 2 for ones or even indoor / outdoor landscaping for health: you and the Earth. This could be a business.

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  2. Plants can take up a very little amount of space depending on which ones you have. I think for places that are much smaller even growing a vine that wraps around your wall could still be beneficial. Granted you'll probably spend a bunch of time pruning to make sure it doesn't take over your whole place!

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  3. This would be really interesting if these types of plants were implemented in city parks around the world. Especially if there were a required ratio for the carbon emitted and the mount of plants necessary to combat their effects. I imagine it would be about 50/50 for city to park, so that there would be enough 'cushion' to absorb all of the pollution.

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  4. This would be really interesting if these types of plants were implemented in city parks around the world. Especially if there were a required ratio for the carbon emitted and the mount of plants necessary to combat their effects. I imagine it would be about 50/50 for city to park, so that there would be enough 'cushion' to absorb all of the pollution.

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  5. I love this idea! Any simple, cost effective way of keeping our air clean, is a good way. Not only could it be beneficial to our physical health, but in some ways our mental health as well. To me, plants add beauty to rooms (especially in boring corporate offices) as can be very therapeutic. They lighten heaviness in rooms and can make one feel "more down to earth." Also, having a plant to take care of like a child, can be therapeutic too. (:

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Just keeping things on the up and up since this is for my students to communicate first.