You’ve probably heard of the Ecological Footprint – the metric that allows us to calculate human pressure on the planet and come up with facts, such as: If everyone lived the lifestyle of the average American we would need 5 planets.
Today humanity uses the equivalent of 1.5 planets to provide the resources we use and to absorb our waste. This means it now takes the Earth one year and six months to regenerate what we use in a year.
Moderate United Nations scenarios suggest that if current population and consumption trends continue, by the 2030s, we will need the equivalent of two Earths to support us. And of course, we only have one.
An interesting metric regarding our food supply is that globally an average of 2.9 hectares of productive land is being used to support each person, although only 2.2 hectares are available. In other words, we are eating into natural capital to support humanity.
On a global level, the biggest problem with conventional agriculture is its dependence on fossil fuels. (Cuba is one good example of what can happen when we no longer have access to fossil fuels.) This is followed very closely by agricultures’ use of chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, hormones, antibiotics and post-harvest chemicals. It is worth noting that these chemical industries also rely on fossil fuels for production.
On a national level, the biggest problems are depleted soils and the long distances that food needs to travel to reach the consumer. This is fuelled to a large extent by our modern consumer economy and culture which encourages consumption for its own sake, despite all the talk about lower food miles, efficiency and productivity. In many countries (such as Southern Africa for example) agriculture has also become a political warzone which has serious repercussions for its sustainability and productivity.
On a local level, the biggest problems are freshness, low nutrient density, poisons and cancer-inducing chemical residues, and perhaps most important to a large section of our global population the affordability of food.
How do we as individuals solve these problems? By adopting conserver versus consumer values. By supporting local farmers and food markets. By growing our own food, even if it is just a few herbs and a bottle of sprouts.
Take Action
1. Visit the Global Footprint Network at http://www.footprintnetwork.org/ for more information on calculating your own ecological footprint.
2. Watch the documentary below: The Power of Community How Cuba Survived Peak Oil.
Pay special attention to the section on Small Scale Farming (from about 15 min 50 seconds to about 34 minutes). If this does not change your perspective of sustainable small scale food gardens nothing else will.
3. How do you think we – as individual food gardeners – can solve these problems? Share your thoughts in a Reply below.
There are many thousands of hectares of land owned by the government, it would be great if they started the same kind of system in SA with that.
In a small town garden, we can already produce enough food for our family .
This is a really great video, there are so many things I understand now. Even our countries ground reform plans make sense now. Going back to the basics and nature is the only way forward. And the difference between a herbicide and a pesticide……eureka moment for me!!
I need to learn more.
First, you learn. Then you do what/as you learn. Most importantly, teach what you know and do.
Humanity is depleting our earth of all the important things we need to survive on the long term. Our soils are totaly depleted from minerals and
nutrients that our bodies need to stay healthy.