Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["Tradingpost" <tradingpost@lobo.net>]

Well, it looks like they finally figured it out. We've been pushing this 
obvious strategy for quite a while on this list. And not just to save energy. 
They say "buy good, local produce and avoid highly processed, heavily 
packaged and nutritionally inferior food". OK but better yet, grow all you 
can yourself.

paul tradingpost@lobo.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eating Less Meat And Junk Food Could Cut Fossil Energy Fuel Use Almost In Half

ScienceDaily (July 24, 2008) — Study finds a healthier diet and a return to 
traditional farming can help reduce energy consumption in US food system by 
50 percent.

An estimated 19 percent of total energy used in the USA is taken up in the 
production and supply of food.  Currently, this mostly comes from 
non-renewable energy sources which are in short supply.  It is therefore of 
paramount importance that ways of reducing this significant fuel consumption 
in the US food system are found.

David Pimentel and his colleagues at Cornell University in New York set out a 
number of strategies which could potentially cut fossil energy fuel use in 
the food system by as much as 50 percent.

The first, and very astute suggestion they put forward is that individuals 
eat less, especially considering that the average American consumes an 
estimated 3,747 calories a day, a staggering 1200-1500 calories over 
recommendations.  Traditional American diets are high in animal products, and 
junk and processed foods in particular, which by their nature use more energy 
than that used to produce staple foods such as potatoes, rice, fruits and 
vegetables.  By just reducing junk food intake and converting to diets lower 
in meat, the average American could have a massive impact on fuel consumption 
as well as improving his or her health.

Further savings are possible in the food production industry.  The authors 
suggest that moving towards more traditional, organic farming methods would 
help because conventional meat and dairy production is extremely energy 
intensive.  Similarly, in crop production, reduced pesticide use, increased 
use of manure, cover crops and crop rotations improve energy efficiency.

Finally, changes to methods of food processing, packaging and distribution 
could also help to reduce fuel consumption.  Although well-established 
energy-saving considerations in lighting, heating and packaging materials all 
have their part to play, the authors again highlight individual 
responsibility as having the biggest impact.  They contend that the most 
dramatic reduction in energy used for food processing would come about if 
consumers reduced their demand for highly processed foods.  This would also 
help cut down food miles and its related fuel cost as US food travels an 
average of 2,400 km before it is consumed.

This study argues strongly that the consumer is in the strongest position to 
contribute to a reduction in energy use.  As individuals embrace a ‘greener’ 
lifestyle, an awareness of the influence their food choices have on energy 
resources might be added encouragement for them to buy good, local produce 
and avoid highly processed, heavily packaged and nutritionally inferior food. 
 As well as leading to a cleaner environment, this would also lead to better 
health.