This are the things that had always been in my mind. Is aquaponics truly sustainable and green? There are few critics towards aquaponics that yet has to be answered by us the aquaponics enthusiast:
- How could aquaponic be considered green provided it is powered by electricity. All of us know, our source of electricity power mostly comes from fossil burning that release carbon to the atmosphere. Thus makes aquaponics indirectly contribute to the release of unnecessary carbon compound into the atmosphere.
- Most materials used for the construction of aquaponics actually is not truly green and sustainable. We all know, the grow bed is made of plastic, metal or wood (which sacrificed valuable commodity of the environment), PVC pipe, synthetic glue. These products that we used to construct aquaponics produced in factory that releases those unnecessary gases to the environment.
- Some space required for aquaponic setup. It do consume the "fertile/non fertile" top soil. However being a person with green mind, we all do appreciate the value of the top soil, since we all know there are many ways to revive its usefulness and fertility. Since aquaponics located and covered the top soil with concrete, cement, tank or whatever, then how could it considered to be green, whereby the space used could be utilized to a greater value for the environment. Therefore, optimizing the usefulness of space also becomes an issue.
I am really optimistic to see aquaponics will become one of the solution to the catastrophic environment that we faced today, "Food Shortage". I want to see my aquaponics set. Maybe I should ask my brother to email me 2 or 3 recent pictures of our aquaponics at our home.
"Peng tolong dulu ba kunun kasi email saya gambar latest aquaponic di rumah kalau ko balik nanti, hihi XD"
You have given this subject a good thought. I agree with your points but I'd like to share how I view on this matter from the other side of the coin.
ReplyDelete1) I have thought about making my electricity to be worth the plants I harvest (1.3kWh/day, about RM13-14 a month). However, we use less water and we don't leach chemical fertilizer like conventional gardening. At least, the electricity is being put to good use unlike leaving the light/fan on when no one is using it.
2) While it is true that we use a lot of plastic. Refer to point 1), everything is pretty much made out of plastic nowadays, we're putting it to good use. By having a garden in our neighborhood, we also do good to the bees and other insects. They keep the greens greener.
3) Usage of space...now this is subjective. If you're turning that space you dump all your junks in and then turn it into a food producing area, that's good and vice versa. This is a concept that we need to consider within our design. Aquaponics area should not be just for aquaponics; I utilize the space under my setup for storage.
4) Other considerations. Transport for example; less trips to the grocery store. It is crucial that we look into individual elements, but it is also crucial that we look at the whole picture. What do you think?
You really have expressed a good thought Ikhwan.
thanks for the input. It took me so long to reply. for problem #1 the solution is green and renewable energy. #2 we can make bio-degradable plastic from hemp. #3 aquaponics can be turned into vertical farm, producing more per square feet than conventional farm.
Deletethanks for the input. as time move on, I found the answers for my own questions :)