Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

livingontheland - [Livingontheland] How to farm and feed ourselves in a changing climate

livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Healthy soil and sustainable growing

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Tradingpost" <tradingpost@lobo.net>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Livingontheland] How to farm and feed ourselves in a changing climate
  • Date: Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:35:52 -0600


How to farm and feed ourselves in a changing climate
Don't be fleeced by expensive "emerging technologies." There is common-sense
solution.
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/20110608_how-to-farm-and-feed-ourselves-in-a-changing-climate
By Mark "Coach" Smallwood, Executive Director, Rodale Institute


KUTZTOWN, PA -- The New York Times recently published an article, “A Warming
Planet Struggles to Feed Itself,” detailing a very real threat: the
detrimental effects of climate change on agriculture. Extreme weather events,
rising temperatures, water shortages and floods, are challenging conditions
for our food crops.

The article offered “emerging technologies” as a potential solution. In other
words, genetically modified crops that rely on toxic chemicals and create
more problems than they solve.

The most viable solution was not mentioned: organic agriculture.

Organic agriculture is about providing plants with a support system so they
can thrive. Instead of dousing plants with chemicals designed to kill, an
organic farmer feeds the soil, which keeps nutrients and water in reserve for
the plants to access as needed. This strong, fertile soil also sequesters
carbon at a higher rate than chemically treated soil, potentially mitigating
the very climate change that is causing these adverse conditions.

An organic farmer knows that balance is key to preventing significant damage
from pests. Instead of petroleum-based pesticides, the farmer will encourage
beneficial birds and insects to keep things in check.

Rodale Institute’s Farming Systems Trial, America’s longest running
side-by-side comparisons of organic and chemical agriculture, has shown that
organic yields are comparable to conventional. In fact, in drought years, our
organic crops saw yield increases of about 30% over conventional.
Agribusinesses reported their genetically modified drought tolerant varieties
saw increases of only 6.7% to 15%.

In organic systems, soil is strengthened, not depleted, and it uses less
energy. This method of farming is safe, reliable, and actually sustainable.
Organic farming is our best solution for feeding the world.

Instead of investing in more expensive, problem-generating technologies,
let’s invest in training farmers in organic methodologies, cultural practices
and products that will support their families and their local communities,
the world over.





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page