Healthy soil and sustainable growing

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

that was
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723094838.htm

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 4/21/2010 at 2:48 PM Tradingpost wrote:

>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.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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