Rachael Donnelly – Module #2

In my system diagram I focused mainly on the relationship between the ecosystem and the social system. The IPAT equation has focused attention on the world’s poor as causes of environmental problems, which we can see in the small village of India in the film.  One core value my diagram was focused around was the positive effects of Biogas Generators. These Biogas generators are powered through cow dung and water and produces compost. The compost comes from scraps of food not eaten by the villagers. The compost is then sold to farmers by the village women. These farmers grow crops from the compost and sell them off. The compost production increases the villager finances, farming, and children can become more invested in their education. The Biogas generators lead to a safer and cleaner environment. The whole process goes full circle and repeats. Before the Biogas generators the villagers used sticks collected by the children for smoke cooking. Smoke cooking took a toll on the health of the people in the village, the children’s education, and the women’s workforce as explained in my diagram. Compared to Marten’s figure, both diagrams have the social system and ecosystem on separate sides, but each has different linkages that make the process go full circle and intertwine between the two. Our arrows go both ways, which shows the need of forces from both the social end and ecosystem end. The main difference between my diagram and his is that he mentioned a lot about trees, shrubs, hills, and plant residue and made main points around them, while I mentioned nothing about them. He focused a lot on the biogas generators and I touched a lot on the issues of smoke cookers. Each person looks and interprets their diagram in a different way, and each has their own similarities and differences with each other.rld5300

2 thoughts on “Rachael Donnelly – Module #2

  1. Hello Rachael,
    I strongly agree with what you said about the positive effects of biogas generators. I did not think they would have so many beneficial effects on not just people, but the environment. I didn’t even realize that Marten’s diagram brought plant residue and shrubs into the equation. That was never even mentioned in the video. I believe interpretation is key when two diagrams are being compared. If you would like to see my diagram, it is: https://wp.me/p3RCAy-b1y

  2. Hi Rachael! My name is Maura McGonigal. Here is a link to my blog- http://geog030.dutton.psu.edu/2016/01/25/module-2-maura-mcgonigal/. I see that your diagram focuses on the health implications of cooking techniques that include smoke and how this is a reason biogas generators were implemented in the social system. I focused on the health implications as a cause and also included deforestation as an additional cause. I agree with you that it is very important to consider other peoples opinions because everyone has unique perspectives!

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