To: Permaculture ibiblio <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [permaculture] Food Futures Now
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:41:28 -0500
Sounds like a good book. Anyone read it?
Food Futures Now <http://www.i-sis.org.uk/foodFutures.php>
Organic *Sustainable *Fossil Fuel Free
Mae-Wan Ho, Sam Burcher, Lim Li Ching & others
How organic agriculture and localised food (and energy) systems can
potentially compensate for all greenhouse gas emissions due to human
activities and free us from fossil fuels
* The largest single study in the world in Ethiopia shows composting
gives 30 percent more crop yields than chemical fertilizers
* Scientists, too, find organic out yields conventional agriculture
by a factor of 1.3, and green manure alone could provide all
nitrogen needs
* Local farmers in Sahel defied the dire predictions of scientists
and policy-makers by greening the desert and creating a haven of
trees
* Organic urban agriculture feeds Cuba without fossil fuels
* Organic agriculture and localized food systems mitigate 30 percent
of the world's greenhouse gas emissions and save one-sixth of
energy consumption
* Anaerobic digestion of farm and food wastes in zero-emission food
and energy farms could boost total energy savings to 49.7 percent
and greenhouse gas savings to 54 percent
* Cleaner, safer environment, greater biodiversity, more nutritious
healthier foods
* Higher income and independence for farmers, more employment
opportunities
* Regenerate local economies, revitalize local, indigenous
knowledge, create social wealth.