Nyssa

joined 2 years ago
[–] Nyssa 1 points 3 weeks ago

Moisture would be an issue with such a set up, and could cause mold and mildew in apartment units

[–] Nyssa 2 points 3 weeks ago

The only references I can find for such soils are when there are highly stratified C horizons where a component may be sandy clays, like the Lohmiller series, at least that's my interpretation of the description

https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/L/LOHMILLER.html

[–] Nyssa 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/

Use this tool. Click the green button on the webpage, search up your location, on the toolbar click on the red square and draw a box around your yard, click soil map. On the left of the screen, you'll see a list of soil types on your property with their textures

5
submitted 3 weeks ago by Nyssa to c/science
 

With the rapid shifting of ecosystems, the concept of native and invasive is being rethought. On the one end are folks who desire to maintain ecological communities as static as possible, and on the other are those who want to end any sort of invasive species control completely.

This paper introduces a new framework that I quite like. "Here, I discuss the moral relevance and waning utility of the geographically-based and dichotomous understanding of “native” (or “in situ”) which is an important component of conservation ethics and practice. I then propose a new understanding of nativeness in which a species is native—not to a geographic location—but to a quantifiable set of biotic, climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions (i.e. its niche) that can then map to geographic space."

 

A data driven assessment of the role of verticle farming in feeding the world.

“The economics of producing leafy greens and lettuce in vertical farms can work, if electricity prices are low”

[–] Nyssa 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

That's awesome! What sorts of lessons have you learned in navigating that transition?

[–] Nyssa 4 points 1 month ago

That's kind of what I was getting at, I think both have their strengths and weaknesses, and I think the discourse should reflect that.

40
submitted 1 month ago by Nyssa to c/solarpunk
 

I've been thinking about the advantages of tool libraries vs. maker spaces and why I think the latter would be more beneficial for creating access to tools for life and hobbies.

While I like the concept of tool libraries, I think providing larger sets of work spaces: art studios, carpentry spaces, bike shops, kitchens, office spaces, sewing rooms, etc. makes a lot more sense. For most of these activities, you need access to a variety of tools at once, and not everyone has space at home to work on refinishing furniture or spinning pottery. To me, the dream is having a series of community centers in every neighborhood that has various labs for community members to access to partake in hobbies, repair their stuff, etc. I do think integrating tool libraries into these spaces would be useful, for instance, the carpentry studio could have a wall of tools for you to check out if you need to accomplish something at home.

There are of course applications where tool libraries make more sense to me. Neighborhood garden tool sheds for example. I just think focusing on developing maker spaces would be a more effective way of providing these types of resources to communities.

Thoughts?

11
submitted 1 month ago by Nyssa to c/farming
[–] Nyssa 18 points 1 month ago

Just look at Missouri, votes for minimum wage increases and an abortion amendment but reelected GOP candidates across the board. The dems lost because of a mix of elitism and the fact that they were governing at a time when incumbants globally are being kicked out due to post-covid economies.

 

TLDR Biological soil amendments can be quite elusive in terms of results. Be wary and investigate the actual need the product is fulfilling and whether or not it's claimed mechanism is reasonable and effective.

[–] Nyssa 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Yeah, I think given current trajectories somewhere between RCP 3.4 and 4.5, with emissions peaking around 2050. Given technological and political headwinds, I just can't see emissions peaking in 2080 or 2100 with growth rates already slowing globally and peaking in North America and Europe

[–] Nyssa 8 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (3 children)

Who wouldve thought hosting COP in a petrostate would've led to a conflict of interest!?

 

TLDR: Pasture in former forestland, such as New England, can quickly be returned to forest, soaking up carbon. There is an interesting opportunity for synergy here, as removing cattle from a relatively small amount of land can have outsized impacts compared to the larger grazing areas in the prairie by pairing the removal of cattle with reforestation. These high opportunity areas could be a highly effective investment and much more financially and politically feasible.

Study discussed in article: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2405758121

[–] Nyssa 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I do think insects as an ingredient in other foods, such as crackers, could be a more successful approach in increasing adoption. Taboos will be quite hard to change tho, I agree

[–] Nyssa 3 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Choosing more appropriate crops for specific environments is so important. The State departments VACS initiative is a good start to promoting more resilient crops for Africa.

https://foodtank.com/news/2024/01/vacs-is-going-back-to-basics-for-a-climate-resilient-future/

[–] Nyssa 12 points 2 months ago

Some bills republicans are spending their legislative energy on: Liberty in Laundry Act, Refrigerator Freedom Act, Stop Unaffordable Laundry Standards (SUDS) Act.

[–] Nyssa 3 points 2 months ago

I especially feel for those who work in government. When the Trump admin placed restrictions on the use of certain terminology, it must really be hard to balance ones need for employment and doing good work and remaining true to scientific principles.

33
submitted 3 months ago by Nyssa to c/farming
 

This article really highlights to me how critical infrastructure is to achieving a sustainable food system. There are plenty of people growing food in an ecologically mindful manner, but they're so atomized that they need to do everything themselves. And the infrastructure is so centralized that you're forced into the industrial model if you want to go beyond the farmer market level. We need more meat lockers, local grain mills, oil pressers, etc. to build out regional food production networks.

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