Are we destroying the planet to produce foods that are killing us? A case for sustainability on our table (pollution, plastic)
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The moment you utter the word ‘sustainability’, the world pounces at you, to point out every little thing that is unsustainable about your lifestyle instead of appreciating the effort, no matter how big or small.
As consumers, we hold a lot of power and the potential to bring about any change we want to see. If one day we all woke up and demanded food that’s not packed with unhealthy ingredients and sustainably produced, the industry will also have to shift to cater to the demand. It is after all, a matter of supply and demand.
1) "Destroying the planet" is crazy talk. Every time we use that phrase, we lose more credibility. Nothing of value ever got solved speaking like Chicken Little.
2) "Sustainability" means nothing to many. It certain doesn't "pounce" at many people; even those that care about our food and lands. We shouldn't get overly carried away with some words that have less power than we give them.
3) Consumers have a lot of power, yes. But the chances of people waking up to what is going on, including how are food is manufactured, is wishing-well thinking. It's a nice thought, but we need to live in the realm of reality. Most are completely fine being ignorant of the food they eat.
Last edited by Thoreau424; 08-06-2018 at 03:00 PM..
I was pointing out how misleading the term is-- it implies (incorrectly) that fertilizers are made out of petroleum and therefore somehow toxic.
Prior to the technical advances that have made the extraction of fossil fuels from the tar sands (fracking) feasible, I was quite worried about the dwindling reserve of petroleum. American agriculture, it has been said, is the process of turning oil into food. Modern ag is so dependent on mechanization & the ICE. If food production levels were to fall, maintaining our current population levels would come under tremendous pressure and social chaos could easily ensue.-- Remember "The Arab Spring" that brought the fall of the Libyan & Egyptian govts? It was started by a food shortage in Tunisia.
But now with fracking, NG should last us several centuries and ICEs can easily be run on that.
I was pointing out how misleading the term is-- it implies (incorrectly) that fertilizers are made out of petroleum and therefore somehow toxic.
Common examples of Petrochemical Fertilizers include ammonium nitrate, super phosphate and potassium sulfate.
Which ARE ALL toxic.
Quote:
... American agriculture, it has been said, is the process of turning oil into food.
It has been said.
Quote:
... If food production levels were to fall, maintaining our current population levels would come under tremendous pressure and social chaos could easily ensue.
... 3) Consumers have a lot of power, yes. But the chances of people waking up to what is going on, including how are food is manufactured, is wishing-well thinking. It's a nice thought, but we need to live in the realm of reality. Most are completely fine being ignorant of the food they eat.
sus·tain·a·bil·i·ty
səˌstānəˈbilədē/Submit
noun
the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
"the sustainability of economic growth"
avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.
As we reach 'Peak Oil' continuing to use petroleum to produce/manufacture processed 'food' is not a sustainable practice.
sus·tain·a·bil·i·ty
səˌstānəˈbilədē/Submit
noun
the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
"the sustainability of economic growth"
avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.
As we reach 'Peak Oil' continuing to use petroleum to produce/manufacture processed 'food' is not a sustainable practice.
Given the concept of the heat death of the universe, nothing is ultimately sustainable. The question is really "how long can we keep it up?"
Since 1969 when the Ehrlichs published their famous warning about oil depletion and population collapse, the North Sea, the Gulf and the Tar Sands oil reserves have been found and exploited. There's 3-4x more oil now that we know of than in 1969.
We should realize that ultimately there is an end to the natural reserves, but the estimates are now that we have a 600 yr supply, barring further new discoveries.. The world has changed quite a bit since Columbus discovered America-- and that was only 500 yrs ago, just for perspective.
We should conserve for conservation's sake, not because of some falsely perceived reason for panic. Only selfish, unthinking people fail to conserve.
The moment you utter the word ‘sustainability’, the world pounces at you, to point out every little thing that is unsustainable about your lifestyle instead of appreciating the effort, no matter how big or small. It is imperative to understand that every little effort counts. The journey towards a sustainable lifestyle is about doing your little bit and does not force you to have an all-in or all-out attitude.
When talking about sustainability, food isn’t the first thing that comes to our mind, but it should. It’s a shame that we are destroying our own planet to produce foods that are killing us. By allowing this, we are empowering companies to profit from endangering our health and that of the planet.
As consumers, we hold a lot of power and the potential to bring about any change we want to see. We tend to forget, the chain always starts at the consumer level and what we purchase and eat is a direct reflection and contributor to how the system works. If one day we all woke up and demanded food that’s not packed with unhealthy ingredients and sustainably produced, the industry will also have to shift to cater to the demand. It is after all, a matter of supply and demand.
The worst sustainable can be thrown around until the cows come home. It doesn't address the issue that is unsustainable in the world. That is the issue of the planet being overpopulated.
The worst sustainable can be thrown around until the cows come home. It doesn't address the issue that is unsustainable in the world. That is the issue of the planet being overpopulated.
The best way to make the world sustainable is to reduce the human birth rate but that notion seems taboo in many circles.
You earthers............here is question.
If the food is so bad then why are we, who live in America, living longer than ever?? Waiting.........
Also, organic farming allows a certain amount of pesticides to be used. Think............
You've attended way to many tie dye concerts in the park. Or burning man in the desert. Get your minds right.
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