Alternative Energy
Keywords: carbon footprint, purchasing locally, electric, solar, compass orientation (passive construction)
Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is widely recognized as one of the most effective ways to adapt to and mitigate the challenges of climate change. Landscape horticulturists have more choices than ever before when it comes to selecting materials and equipment that can help reduce their carbon footprint.
Over the past few years, the horticulture industry has been undergoing a significant shift away from fossil-fuel-powered equipment and towards greener and more sustainable alternatives. Purchasing landscape materials from local businesses, and using electric-powered equipment is becoming increasingly popular, and solar-powered landscape lighting and onsite power sources are also gaining in popularity as horticulturalists seek to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.
Overall, the use of electric and solar-powered equipment can play an important role in promoting sustainability by reducing carbon emissions and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Video credit: The carbon cycle – Nathaniel Manning, (TED-Ed, 2012)
Selecting local materials for landscape horticulture can have several benefits.
- Reduce transportation: purchasing local materials can reduce transportation costs and associated emissions, as materials that are sourced from far away require more fuel for transportation. By selecting local materials, horticulturalists can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
- Climate-adapted plant material: local plant material is better adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, meaning plants are more likely to thrive and require less maintenance.
- Support the local economy: selecting local materials can support the local economy by keeping money and jobs in the community.
Overall, selecting local materials can have both environmental and economic benefits for landscape horticulture businesses and businesses that support horticulturalists doing their work.
The use of electric-powered equipment can contribute to greater sustainability in several ways:
- Reduced carbon emissions: electric-powered equipment produces fewer carbon emissions compared to equipment powered by fossil fuels. This reduction in emissions helps to mitigate the impacts of climate change, which is a major threat to the sustainability of our planet.
- Noise reduction: electric-powered equipment is generally quieter than equipment powered by fossil fuels, which can reduce noise pollution in communities and improve the quality of life for residents.
- Reduced reliance on fossil fuels: electric-powered equipment can help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, which are finite resources and contribute to air pollution and other environmental problems.
- Access to renewable energy sources: electric-powered equipment can be powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, which can help to further reduce carbon emissions and promote a more sustainable energy system.
The use of solar-powered landscape lighting and onsite power sources can help reduce the carbon footprint of landscape horticulturalists in several ways:
- Reduced reliance on fossil fuels: by using solar energy instead of traditional electricity from the grid, horticulturalists can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and lower their carbon footprint.
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions: generating electricity from fossil fuels produces greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. In contrast, solar energy produces no direct greenhouse gas emissions, helping to reduce carbon footprints.
- Energy-efficient lighting: solar-powered landscape lighting is typically more energy-efficient than traditional lighting, which can help reduce energy consumption and lower the carbon footprint of horticulturalists.
- Reduced need for grid electricity: by generating their electricity onsite, horticulturalists can reduce their need for electricity from the grid, which is often generated from fossil fuels. This helps to further reduce their carbon footprint.
Technology and Digital Tool Use in Landscape Horticulture
Keywords: Technology, digital tools, reduce waste, business viability and operations, job tracking and scheduling, financial and digital literacy
Technology is a broad term that refers to the application of scientific knowledge to solve practical problems. It can refer to any tool or technique that is developed to make a task more efficient or effective. Technology includes a wide range of physical and digital tools, as well as methods and processes for using those tools.
Digital tools, on the other hand, are a specific type of technologies that are designed to operate in a digital environment. Digital tools are software applications or platforms that are designed to facilitate specific tasks or workflows. Examples of digital tools include project management software, communication tools such as email or text, and design software. While digital tools are a subset of technology, not all technology is digital. Some examples of non-digital technologies include irrigation systems, solar panels, and electric-powered equipment.
Technology plays a major role in increasing the sustainability of landscape horticulture businesses. Advancements in technology can help horticulturalists reduce waste, promote business viability, and increase environmental health. For example, smart irrigation systems can use weather data and soil moisture sensors to optimize watering schedules, reducing water waste, and nutrient leaching and promoting healthier plants.
Drones can be used to map and monitor landscapes, allowing horticulturalists to identify issues and make targeted interventions, reducing the need for broad-spectrum chemical treatments. Electric equipment can reduce the need for gas-powered equipment, which as we know emit carbon. By harnessing the power of modern technology, landscape horticulturalists can increase the sustainability of their businesses and contribute to a more regenerative and sustainable future.
While technology has many potential applications in the horticulture field, our focus in this chapter is on technology and digital tools for teaching and learning to prepare students for diverse and changing roles in the industry. By incorporating technology and digital tools into teaching and learning, horticulture instructors can support student learning and, in turn, influence the horticulture skills and business practices students will take with them into the industry.
By using modern and innovative technology and digital tools such as job tracking and scheduling software or financial and digital literacy programs, landscape horticulturalists can reduce waste and promote environmental, economic, and social health, which can improve a business reputation and attract more clients who are interested in greening their practice.
In today’s market, where sustainability and environmental stewardship are increasingly important to consumers, horticulturalists who prioritize these values can position themselves for long-term success and viability. Ultimately, by using digital tools for greening, landscape horticulturalists can improve their business viability while also contributing to a more regenerative future.
To use digital tools, landscape horticulturalists need to be digitally literate to effectively and responsibly use digital technologies to access, evaluate, and communicate information. Digital literacy involves a range of skills, including the ability to use digital tools for tasks such as searching for information online, creating and sharing digital content, using social media, and communicating via email and other digital platforms.
Digital literacy also involves an understanding of the potential risks and challenges associated with digital technologies, such as online privacy concerns, cyberbullying, and the spread of misinformation. Digital literacy involves not only technical skills but also critical thinking and ethical considerations when using digital tools and platforms. In today’s increasingly digital world, digital literacy is becoming an essential skill for participation in many areas of life, including education, work, and social interactions.
So, you are keen to try out a new technology or digital tool with your students, but you’re not sure which one to choose. Below are some tools to help you choose which technology or digital tool is best to communicate the learning outcome to your students.
Ask yourself:
Video and image credit: The SECTIONS Model, Team 5 (Sarah, 2015)
Reflect
Please use the following questions to guide your reflection:
- What horticulture skills and practices do you think are important to support students with successful integration into diverse and changing roles in the horticulture industry?
- What non-horticulture (soft skills and practices) do you think are important to include in horticulture training to support students with successful integration into diverse and changing roles in the horticulture industry?
- What is your opinion on using technology and/or digital tools for teaching and learning in landscape horticulture? Do you think students need to use technology and digital tools to successfully integrate into the industry upon training completion?
- What, if any, professional development do you need to seek out to effectively teach using modern technology and digital tools?
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