2016-08-18
Rob Delves
Im calling two opposing systems of agriculture 'Ecological versus 'Industrial. Of course, there are many varieties of farming practiced throughout the world, many combining features of both, for example you could have “Ecological with some chemical assistance!”
As agriculture provides an essential of life AND makes a huge contribution to climate change, the question of which system is best to feed the world without overheating it is hugely important. Id like to examine some arguments and ask what The Greens Agriculture policies say about this issue.
Since WWII Industrial Agriculture, with its combination of large-scale mechanized farming and extensive use of chemicals, has succeeded in producing enough food for a rapidly growing world through huge improvements in yield. The further uptake of this system (including an enthusiastic embrace of GM crops) is seen as the only way to lift poor farmers out of poverty and meet the challenge of feeding a planet of 9 or 10 billion people. Any other alternatives are derided as simplistic and backward “medieval farming”.
However, Rachel Carsons Silent Spring was an early warning of the dangers of using chemical warfare to control farm pests. And critics of this so-called modern system of chemical-drenched straight rows of monocultures have continued to argue that it is taking a heavy toll in the form of degraded soils and pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions. They believe that the sustainable way to feed the planet and reduce emissions is to adopt various forms of “Ecological Agriculture” such as small-scale mixed farms, organic farming and permaculture. These attempt to work with the grain of nature, mimicking nature with a chaotic mixture of trees and crops that use natural systems to improve soil fertility and combat pests.
In her book Diet for a Hot Planet, Anna Lappe presents a detailed case that the only way to reduce the huge emissions generated by Industrial Agriculture is a radical transition towards the more Ecological forms. She argues that if you analyse the whole food system from virgin farmland to what finally goes into your mouth (or not – food thrown out is part of the dysfunction of the system), Industrial farming contributes at least one third of all greenhouse gas emissions. According to Anna Lappe, the six main climate change culprits within the modern Industrial Agricultural system are:
1. LIVESTOCK: The explosion of grain-fed livestock in the last 50 years is agricultures main contribution to greenhouse emissions. Its not just the sheer numbers (10 billion killed in 1965, 56 billion in 2015) but also the destruction of forests to grow the crops that sustain the animals, the fossil fuels used to support the system, the emissions from the massive waste mountains and lakes.
2. SYNTHETIC FERTILSER: Huge energy inputs to make products that sometimes weaken the soils ability to absorb carbon.
3. SUPERMARKETS: The energy waste from the enormous refrigerated and frozen sections.
4.PROCESSED FOOD:. Processing employs fossil fuels. Many of the key ingredients (palm oil springs to mind) involve extensive destruction of rainforest and draining of peatland.
5. GLOBAL FOOD TRADE: Huge transport emissions, especially if refrigeration is involved. The word “unnecessary” springs to mind with regard to products such as water in plastic bottles transported all the way from Europe, but I guess it keeps the demand for oil humming.
6. WASTE: Mountains of the stuff, at every stage from farmland to household rubbish bin. Supermarkets are probably the biggest sinners, as they often reject any fresh produce that doesnt look “standard”. Methane and nitrous oxides, anyone?
However, perhaps taking their cue from the nuclear industry, proponents for Industrial Agriculture argue that it is actually an essential part of the climate change solution, because much higher yields mean that less forest has to be cleared to feed the world. Typically, theyre not exactly hesitant in arguing the case. Heres Synergy Chairman Martin Taylor: “The world has to choose between technology, deforestation and hunger. I cant see another way out.” Hendrik Verfaille, Monsantos Head of Agriculture is equally unsubtle: “If we were to move the planet toward organic agriculture, we would have to burn down the rain forest. We would have to eliminate all the wetlands and tax the environment in a way that is totally unacceptable.”
Who is right? Many Greens applaud the climate change stance of 350.orgs Bill McKibben. He has written extensively on the need to move towards more varied, environmentally-friendly farming. A classic McKibben line: “the entire industrial food system essentially ensures that your food is marinated in crude oil before you eat it.”
Key Greens values of Sustainability and the Precautionary Principle would seem to incline us towards Ecological Agriculture. Our policy is entitled “Sustainable Agriculture.” One statement that I think sums it up is as follows:
The implementation of sustainable farming systems is essential for maintaining healthy, productive landscapes and addressing the grave threats of land and water degradation, climate change and peak oil. Sustainable farming systems are those that apply ecological concepts to the management of agriculture — often called agro-ecology.
I would add that sustainability and the precautionary principle both demand that we dont put all our agricultural eggs in one basket, especially the monocultural eggs of Industrial farming. The simple fact that the ecosystems on which we practice farming are so varied surely means that our systems should also be diverse and mixed. As much diversity as possible is the best insurance in an unpredictable future. Theres a place for permaculture, organic, small farms right through to monster farms, use of both chemicals and organic methods of improving fertility.
I thought that Rachels presentation of our policy at the recent election combined the best of Greens values with strong appeal to mainstream commonsense. She emphasized that the very best science and the very best landcare work together in The Greens approach to Agriculture. Theres no conflict between the two:
"Unless we seriously invest in sustainable agriculture and into research and development, we don't think [we are] going to be competitive, or able to keep our agriculture at the cutting edge, in the face of the impacts of climate change."