Specialists in Aerospace Safety, Control and Automation Systems.
On average- WE Have Helped our clients reduce their manufacturing time by 50%
sustainability
In ecology, sustainability is the capacity to
endure; it is how biological systems remain diverse and productive
indefinitely. In more general terms it is the endurance of systems and
processes. For me I have for many years had a focus from an engineering
point of view using a process of designing or operating systems such that they
use energy and resources sustainably.
As an engineer I have always strived to consider
sustainability as a core part of my designs looking at aspects such as:
- Waste reduction;
- Materials management;
- Product enhancement.
However as I have studied it further my desire to
look at sustainability within different industry and apply engineering
knowledge to help enable growth in this. This has led to project developing a
self-sustaining farming system
sustainability in farming - is it really possible?
We live in a world full of cynics and scepticism, and who can blame us? Governments are arguing over promises on environmental measures that they don’t seem willing to try and keep. Opinions flit from one solution to the next before someone comes up with a new theory or counter-evidence to quash the proposed solution of another.
Farmers are under pressure from supermarkets squeezes, supply and demand, unsettled weather and cheap imports from competing markets. The world is full of problems and the solutions seem to be full of holes.
So you could be forgiven for
letting out a suspicious ‘hmmmm’ when I invite you to hear about a simple and
genuinely self-sustainable farming solution.
Humour me a while and read on…
The idea, in a nutshell, is
this: Plants need water and a source of nourishment in which to grow and
flourish. Fish are best suited to clean water (especially the sort that has
been filtered naturally by plants) where they can feed, swim and poo (yes, I
did just write that). The waste nutrient, generated by the fish, just happens
to be the perfect nourishment for the plants and the cycle begins… Simple maths
to start with!
Now the mechanics of the
system, known as aquaponics, is a little more complex (not much though) and
requires some pumps and systems to make it work. But, in essence, it is a fully
managed, self-sustaining bio-symbiotic ecosystem. And there are many working
aquaponics systems in operation today that are demonstrating the science in the
real world. And now a new aquaponics farm is being born in Northamptonshire.
Change is possible and harmony
works!
Perhaps there will always be trouble at the top, and maybe those that genuinely care are destined to be the little guy trying to make a difference at the bottom.
But what if?
What if
ideas like aquaponics did hit the headlines and one day someone a bit higher up
than the little guy took notice? I know that there are solutions out there,
both for the environment, the economy, food supplies and the structure of
society. And, whether what we are doing at Test and Measure Experts makes a dent on the
cynicism or not, we are going to keep doing our bit all the same.
If you are reading this post
out of interest, curiosity, or simply because you stumbled across it, then
please share it with everyone you know. Maybe, just maybe, it might start a
ball rolling. Maybe the self-sustaining, bio-symbiotic ecosystem of ‘word of
mouth’ will start a waterfall somewhere.
This is just the start of it…
If you are interested in
learning more about aquaponics, then please get in touch. You could also ’like’
or ‘follow’ our company page and there will even be opportunities to get
involved soon. New posts will follow where I will be sharing more of our story,
and start telling you more about the wonders of the
ecosystem we are creating. Oh, and there is so much more going on at the farm
than fish and plants… We are creating a veritable hive of good will and
environmental activity. Stay tuned!
