International Courses
TBD
ARC1720: Survey of Architecture History
TBD
GEA3405: Geography of Latin America
Through this course, I wrote "Sustainably Combatting Topsoil Erosion in Agriculture: A Cost Benefit Analysis." My Cost Benefit Analysis Project focuses on combating topsoil erosion, particularly within the agricultural sector, by embracing sustainable practices. Given the severe implications for global food production and ecosystem health, my project emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue, referencing alarming predictions that suggest topsoil could vanish within sixty years if left unchecked. This erosion not only limits crop production but also poses threats to wildlife and communities through pollution and sedimentation.
My project outlines the root causes of topsoil erosion, pointing to factors such as deforestation, chemical-intensive farming, and poor irrigation practices. Studies project significant losses in productive soil due to erosion, impacting crop yields in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. Likewise, studies spotlight the acceleration of erosion due to farming and bush burning, projecting massive soil losses if sustainable practices aren't adopted. Even a minor loss of topsoil can lead to drastic reductions in crop production.
To counter these challenges, my project proposes the adoption of conservation agricultural practices, terraced farming, land management incentives, and rehabilitation projects. To effectively implement these practices on a large scale, global collaboration will be necessary.
Researchers have identified potential solutions, such as producing organic fertilizers from food byproducts and reducing reliance on tilling practices and agrochemicals. These strategies aim to recycle resources, minimize waste, and protect soil health. Hence, the benefits of protecting and regenerating topsoil are vast, including reduced pollution, improved waterways, increased crop yields, nutrient-dense crops, habitat recovery for wildlife, and reduced malnourishment. Economically, addressing topsoil erosion could save billions annually for countries like the US and South Asian agricultural sectors.
The consequences of failing to address topsoil degradation are dire, impacting not only agricultural productivity but also the environment, wildlife, and human communities. The lack of nutrients in eroded soil threatens crop growth and, consequently, food security for a growing population. Additionally, it affects the entire food production system, from farming to distribution.
Ultimately, the urgency of addressing topsoil erosion emerges as a critical concern, not just for agricultural production but for broader environmental sustainability, wildlife preservation, economic stability, and global food security. That said, these findings and proposed solutions are communicated through an e-Portfolio.
IDS2935: Valuing Circular Food Economies
Though often overlooked, the geography of a place plays a critical role in its economic, political, and cultural scene. Latin America is the perfect example of a region whose geography has shaped the culture. Exposure to the physical, economic, and political geography of Latin American highlighted to me the value of geography in the development of communities.
That said, not only did I have the opportunity to read and listen to lectures about the geography of Latin America and its influence on other elements of the region, but I got the chance to conduct my own research on a specific issue. For my final paper, I researched elements of the economic geography of Mexico and decided to write about the avocado industry. Per Pariona (2017), the Mexican production of avocados is not only the greatest in the world but also the most successful as it achieves a higher production per acre. I learned about the combination of geographical features that supported avocado cultivation in the region and how it bolstered Mexico's dominance over the avocado industry as well as the increasing demand on the industry resulting in its expansion. Additionally, I discovered the implications of such intensification of the industry on Mexican land, wildlife, and humans. Not only did writing this paper shed light on the significance of geography to Mexico's economy, but it emphasized the diversity and oversimplifications of geography that we often think of.
Geography is not only about the earth's physical features, but also how humans interact with said features and the impact that those features have on human populations and industries. Though this course focused on Latin America, the principle ideas taught can be extended to any part of the world. People are constantly shaping their environments, just as the environments shape them. Hence, this course has encouraged me to think deeper about these human-environmental interactions and to consider them as I visit other places around the world.
At the end of the day, the geography of a place tells a story that spans all time. Without that story, we would miss many important attributes and details that have proved vital to our understanding of the growth of human populations around the world. Whether it is the avocado industry or political stability in question, we can look to geography to find answers and insights that we might otherwise never find.