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Nathan Moore 2023-02-07 19:20:00 -06:00
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@ -123,7 +123,10 @@ The point of these energy calculations is not to give students an eating disorde
%\clearpage
\subsection{Where does food energy come from?}
One feature of the aught's ``homesteading'' culture\cite{homesteading} is the idea that a person should probably be able to move to the country, eat a lot of peaches, and grow all their own food. Learning that farming labor is \textit{skilled} labor can be brutal and disheartening. Eating $3000kcals$ each day means planting, weeding, harvesting, and storing more than a million kcals each year.\cite{Haspel}
One feature of the aught's ``homesteading'' culture
\footnote{See for example, the Discover television show, ``Alaska the Last Frontier,'' any issue of ``Mother Earth News,'' or Backyard Chicken feeds on Instagram. }
%\cite{homesteading}
is the idea that a person should probably be able to move to the country, eat a lot of peaches, and grow all their own food. Learning that farming labor is \textit{skilled} labor can be brutal and disheartening. Eating $3000kcals$ each day means planting, weeding, harvesting, and storing more than a million kcals each year.\cite{Haspel}
Where will those Calories come from? Is your backyard enough to homestead in the suburbs?\cite{backyard_homestead}
At some point between 1920 and 1950, US chemical manufacturers realized that in the post-war period, they could repurpose processes developed for manufacturing munitions and chemical warfare agents, to produce chemicals that would kill insects and increase the nitrogen levels in the soil.
@ -302,7 +305,10 @@ As the story goes, the two main commodity crops in Ireland were potatoes (for hu
This inflammatory claim, which is certainly a simplified version of history, serves as a useful evaluation example for students. Specifically, in years that the potato crop failed because of weather or late blight, could the amount of oats produced (and exported) have fed the Irish population? More broadly, was the Great Famine due to weather and disease, natural causes ``we can't do anything about,'' or was the depth of the tragedy a result of political choices?
Some estimates follow: Ireland's population in 1845 was about $8.5$ million people. The island has an area of about $84,400km^2$\cite{IRE_area} and you might estimate that $64\%$ of the land ($54,000km^2$) is arable for agriculture.\cite{arable_percentage}
Some estimates follow: Ireland's population in 1845 was about $8.5$ million people. The island has an area of about $84,400km^2$\footnote{
Currently, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are separate countries. Together, their land area is about $84,400km^2$.}
%\cite{IRE_area}
and you might estimate that $64\%$ of the land ($54,000km^2$) is arable for agriculture.\cite{arable_percentage}
It seems reasonable to use the 1917 productivity, figure \ref{1917_yields}, to make calculations for Ireland in 1845. Reminder, in 1917, potatoes produced $1.908\times10^6 kcal/acre$ and oats $1.254\times10^6kcal/acre$.
With students, evaluation of the claim could be approached as a series of questions:
@ -336,7 +342,8 @@ Like the Holodomor or the Great Leap Forward, the numbers suggest that large-sca
\centering
\includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{Population_of_Ireland_since_1600.png}
\caption{
The population of Ireland over time, file from Wikipedia,\cite{pop_image} data sources.\cite{pop_sources}
The population of Ireland over time, file from Wikipedia,\cite{pop_image}.
% data sources. \cite{pop_sources}
The humble potato, kale, and milk were part of an amazing population boom. Note that there were two weather-related ``potato'' famines in Ireland, in about 1740 and 1850. Government policy response to the famines could explain the drastic difference in subsequent population following each of the two famines. The population of Ireland finally re-reached its 1851 peak in 2021.\cite{Ireland_5M}
}
\label{ireland_population}
@ -365,15 +372,20 @@ and Sarah Taber.
% following models at
% https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples
\bibitem{arable_percentage}
Ask about Ireland.
(2023).
\textit{Land Use in Ireland}.
\url{https://www.askaboutireland.ie/enfo/sustainable-living/farming-in-ireland-overvi/land-use-in-ireland/}
The web suggests that $64\%$ of the land area in Ireland is currently suitable for agriculture. Urbanization over the last 150 years has probably decreased this percentage.
\bibitem{math_encounters}
Biegert M.
(2017)
(2017, Jan 4).
Calorie Per Acre Improvements in Staple Crops Over Time.
\textit{Math Encounters Blog},
2017 Jan 4: [cited 2023 Jan 16]; [about 5 screens].
Available from: \url{https://www.mathscinotes.com/2017/01/calorie-per-acre-improvements-in-staple-crops-over-time/}
\url{https://www.mathscinotes.com/2017/01/calorie-per-acre-improvements-in-staple-crops-over-time/}
\bibitem{national_geo}
Borunda A. A. \& Rodriguez C. C.
@ -398,9 +410,10 @@ https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.7.020106
\bibitem{meat_sweats}
%https://www.bonappetit.com/story/meat-sweats
Caballero B \& Trayhurn P. (Ed.).
Caballero B.
(2003).
\textit{Thermogenesis}.
Thermogenesis.
In Trayhurn P. (Ed.).
Encyclopedia of Food Sciences and Nutrition (2nd ed.).
%edited by Benjamin Caballero
Academic Press.
@ -474,9 +487,8 @@ Available from: \url{http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/researchreport
\bibitem{Deppe}
Deppe C.
The 20 Potato a Day Diet versus the Nearly All Potato Winter.
[cited 2023 Jan 16]; [about 5 screens].
Available from:
(2020)
\textit{The 20 Potato a Day Diet versus the Nearly All Potato Winter}.
\url{https://www.caroldeppe.com/The\%2020\%20Potato\%20a\%20Day\%20Diet.html}
\bibitem{HortTech_2019}
@ -500,8 +512,9 @@ Thames \& Hudson.
\bibitem{little_ice_age}
%Brian Fagan,
Fagan B.
\textit{The Little Ice Age: How Climate Made History 1300-1850},
(Basic Books, 2001).
(2001).
\textit{The Little Ice Age: How Climate Made History 1300-1850}.
Basic Books.
\bibitem{Haspel}
Haspel T.
@ -510,7 +523,7 @@ In defense of corn, the worlds most important food crop.
\textit{The Washington Post}.
%Tamar Haspel
%2015 July 12 [cited 2023 Jan 16].
Available from \url{https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/in-defense-of-corn-the-worlds-most-important-food-crop/2015/07/12/78d86530-25a8-11e5-b77f-eb13a215f593_story.html}
\url{https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/in-defense-of-corn-the-worlds-most-important-food-crop/2015/07/12/78d86530-25a8-11e5-b77f-eb13a215f593_story.html}
\bibitem{brown_fat_4}
%https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6722594/
@ -572,6 +585,21 @@ Muller R. A.
\textit{Physics and Technology for Future Presidents: An Introduction to the Essential Physics Every World Leader Needs to Know}.
Princeton University Press.
\bibitem{fat_bear}
North American Bear Center.
(2023)
%Ely, MN, USA.
\textit{5 Stages of Activity and Hibernation.}
%[cited 2023 Jan 16]; [about 2 screens].
\url{https://bear.org/5-stages-of-activity-and-hibernation/}.
%
Some sources claim that bear metabolism can vary between $4,000$ to $20,000$ kcals per day,
This is comically illustrated by the National Park Service at
National Park Service, Katmai National Park and Preserve Alaska
(2022).
\textit{Fat Bear Week 2022}.
\url{https://www.nps.gov/katm/learn/fat-bear-week-2022.htm} .
\bibitem{Aztec_Cannibalism}
Ortiz de Montellano B. R.
(1978).
@ -623,42 +651,46 @@ The Energetic Cost of Moving About.
63, 413--9.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1137237/
\bibitem{trout}
U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service [Internet].
FoodData Central: Fish, trout, rainbow, wild, raw.
[updated 2019 Apr 1, cited 2023 Jan 16]; [about 3 screens].
Available from: \url{https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/175154/nutrients}
United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.
(2019).
\textit{FoodData Central: Fish, trout, rainbow, wild, raw.}
%[updated 2019 Apr 1, cited 2023 Jan 16]; [about 3 screens].
\url{https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/175154/nutrients}
The wilderness river might be full of trout, but if they're $300kcals$ each, you'll have to catch, clean, and smoke $10$ of them to store up a day's food.
\bibitem{fat_bear}
North American Bear Center [Internet].
Ely, MN, USA 2023.
5 Stages of Activity and Hibernation.
[cited 2023 Jan 16]; [about 2 screens].
Available from: \url{https://bear.org/5-stages-of-activity-and-hibernation/}.
%
Some sources claim that bear metabolism can vary between $4,000$ to $20,000$ kcals per day,
This is comically illustrated by the National Park Service at
National Park Service, Katmai National Park and Preserve Alaska [Internet].
Fat Bear Week 2022.
[updated 2022 Oct 11, cited 2023 Jan 16]; [about 5 screens].
Available from: \url{https://www.nps.gov/katm/learn/fat-bear-week-2022.htm} .
\bibitem{USDA_FDC}
United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.
(2023)
\textit{FoodData Central}.
\url{https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html}.
\bibitem{homesteading}
See for example, the Discover television show, ``Alaska the Last Frontier,'' any issue of ``Mother Earth News,'' or Backyard Chicken feeds on Instagram.
\bibitem{USDA_NASS}
United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
(2020, Oct 13).
\textit{Statistics by Subject}.
%[updated 2020 Oct 13; cited 2023 Jan 18]; [about 1 screen].
\url{https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_Subject/index.php?sector=CROPS}.
%\bibitem{homesteading}
%See for example, the Discover television show, ``Alaska the Last Frontier,'' any issue of ``Mother Earth News,'' or Backyard Chicken feeds on Instagram.
%\bibitem{calorie_age}
%Is $3000\frac{kcal}{person\cdot day}$ accurate for a family? For soldiers or active athletes it is, but $2000kcal$ is the USDA reference for an ``average adult,'' e.g. the author, in his 40's, and $1000-1200kcal$ for a senior age ($>60$) female. However, weeding the garden all day is physically taxing, mice will probably eat some of the potatoes, and $3000$ is a nice round number, so that's what I'm using.
\bibitem{google_earth}
Chinampas are still visible in sattelite imagery. See for example $latitude=19.268$, $longitude=-99.087$.
%\bibitem{google_earth}
%Chinampas are still visible in sattelite imagery. See for example $latitude=19.268$, $longitude=-99.087$.
\bibitem{400k}
Britannica [Internet].
@ -667,42 +699,28 @@ Britannica [Internet].
Available from: \url{https://www.britannica.com/place/Tenochtitlan}
\bibitem{chinampas_wikipedia}
Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository [Internet].
File:Lake Texcoco c 1519.png;
[updated 2016 Aug 17; cited 2023 Jan 16]; [about 1 screen].
Available from: \url{https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lake\_Texcoco\_c\_1519.png}
File:Lake Texcoco c 1519.png.
(2016, Aug 17).
In \textit{Wikipecia}.
\url{https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lake\_Texcoco\_c\_1519.png}
%Self-published work by Wikipedia user Madman2001
\bibitem{IRE_area}
Currently, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are separate countries. Together, their land area is about $84,400km^2$.
%\bibitem{IRE_area}
%Currently, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are separate countries. Together, their land area is about $84,400km^2$.
\bibitem{pop_image}
Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository [Internet].
File:Population of the island of Ireland since 1600.png;
[updated 2010 Jan 13; cited 2023 Jan 16]; [about 1 screen].
Available from: \url{https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Population\_of\_Ireland\_since\_1600.png}
\bibitem{pop_sources}
File:Population of the island of Ireland since 1600.png.
(2010, Jan 13)
In \textit{Wikipedia}.
\url{https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Population\_of\_Ireland\_since\_1600.png}
Specific census data sources for the Ireland population plot are given at the ``talk'' page of \cite{pop_image}, specifically
\url{https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File\_talk:Population\_of\_Ireland\_since\_1600.png}
\bibitem{arable_percentage}
The web suggests that $64\%$ of the land area in Ireland is currently suitable for agriculture. Urbanization over the last 150 years has probably decreased this percentage.
Ask about Ireland [Internet].
Land Use in Ireland; [cited 2023 Jan 16]; [about 2 screens].
Available from: \url{https://www.askaboutireland.ie/enfo/sustainable-living/farming-in-ireland-overvi/land-use-in-ireland/}
%\bibitem{pop_sources}
%Specific census data sources for the Ireland population plot are given at the ``talk'' page of \cite{pop_image}, specifically
%\url{https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File\_talk:Population\_of\_Ireland\_since\_1600.png}
\bibitem{USDA_NASS}
United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service [Internet].
Statistics by Subject;
[updated 2020 Oct 13; cited 2023 Jan 18]; [about 1 screen].
Available from: \url{https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_Subject/index.php?sector=CROPS}.
\bibitem{USDA_FDC}
United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service [Internet].
FoodData Central;
[cited 2023 Jan 18]; [about 1 screen].
Available from: \url{https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html}.
\end{thebibliography}