Editor’s picks: September 2010
Articles that we thought were significant this month.
Food & Water
Civilization’s foundation eroding
Civilization depends on fertile soils. Ultimately, the health of the people cannot be separated from the health of the land.
What are species worth? Putting a price on biodiversity
When officials gather for an international summit on biodiversity next month, they might look to remind the world why species matter to humans: for producing oxygen, finding new drugs, making agricultural crops more productive, and something far less tangible — a sense of wonder.
Too many farmer’s markets?
I never thought I would see this happen: throughout the local foods movement, there are complaints now from the farmers saying that there are too many markets and marketers. That means less money for each farmer, the ancient problem that never goes away.
Peak phosphorus still a threat to food security, despite new report
Researchers investigating a coming peak in world phosphorous production have urged caution on the revising up of estimates of reserves in a new report.
Norwegian TV on peak phosophorus
The Norwegian science program Schrödingers katt aired an excellent introduction to the concept of peak phosphorous. Phosphorus is required for modern agriculture, and like oil, its supplies are limited.
(YouTube video)
The food crisis is not about a shortage of food
The food crisis of 2008 never really ended, it was ignored and forgotten. The rich and powerful are well fed; they had no food crisis, no shortage, so in the West, it was little more than a short lived sound bite, tragic but forgettable. To the poor in the developing world, whose ability to afford food is no better now than in 2008, the hunger continues.
Working where the rain doesn’t fall
With small-scale forestry, subsistence farmers can unlock the potential of their otherwise unproductive, fallow land.
Hearing Wendell Berry
Berry didn’t want to talk about “the environment,” though he mentioned it; he wanted to talk about the natural environment of Kentucky, the place he’s knows best.
Agroinnovations #100: Regenerative permaculture
In this 100th episode of the Agroinnovations Podcast we are joined by Darren Doherty, a permaculture designer and consultant who is an expert in keyline design, broadacre permaculture, and agroforestry.
Could peak oil save the human species?
When Guy McPherson discovered peak oil, it became a cause for optimism, not pessimism.
Food & agriculture – Sept 26
– Watch Colbert’s statement before Congress on migrant farmworkers
– Colbert annoys press corps … again
– Food fight: a Kol Nidre call for sustainable consumption
– From vacant city lots to food on the table
