What Constitutes Sustainable Farming And Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable farming is a goal to which the human race must aspire if any quality of life is to be maintained into the future. The chemical technologies which have temporarily allowed conventional farming to increase its yields are contaminating both the food and the soil in which it is grown. Unless this trend is reversed, it is going to prove impossible for us to sustain the levels of food production we have today. Even without the heavy chemical processes which are used all too frequently today, there is still a possibility that a process is not fully sustainable.
The components of sunlight and air are fully renewable, but farming requires other components which may well not be. Water is the most obvious of these. Although water is in plentiful supply across the Earth's surface, certain farming processes can still use it in such a way that it is dissipated, and these farming methods cannot therefore be considered as sustainable. Each different process also removes nutrients from the soil, meaning that there is a limit to the amount of food which can be produced from any given plot of land. Replenishing these nutrients is essential if an overall process is to become sustainable.
Nitrogen is a crucial factor in a sustainable farm, and a method of producing it in a sustainable way must be found. One possibility which has often been touted is that of recycling crop waste and manure from livestock, or even from human beings. Although this could play a major part in a fully sustainable system, these resources are only limited and some other source of nitrogen needs to be found. One strong possibility is to generate nitrogen from hydrogen, which could be produced from the electrolysis of water.
Another factor which needs to be taken into account when assessing a sustainable agricultural policy is the end location of the food. Food which is grown for export to richer nations has to be transported, and in the world today that inevitably means the consumption of fossil fuels and the emission of copious amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The more food which can be grown locally, the less the damage which will be done to the environment. This damage can also be reduced by using a far more sustainable method of transportation, for example a railway powered by renewable energy.
Organic farming represents the only truly sustainable agriculture, but the switch to organic farming will result in lower yields. Consideration needs to be given to how the resources we have can be best used, especially in urban areas. Using flat rooftop space, for example, to grow more food is one possibility which may help to compensate for reduced rural yields. One thing is for sure – the current system is definitely not sustainable, and unless an alternative is found, the human race will be facing serious problems very soon. We simply must find the answer to sustainable farming.
| The (Un)usual Suspect: Why Organic Spices Aren't Always Safe Salmonella contamination in organic celery seed caused headaches EUR” and an FDA recall EUR” for one entrepreneur. Her tale is a reminder that organic certification doesn't measure food safety; it's only about how a food was grown... | ||
Survey Finds Consumers and Professionals Embrace Green Products - woodworkingnetwork.com
| ||
Creating Sustainable Cost Management Through Outsourcing LONDON, January 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --In September 2010, Financial Director magazine stated: "Waxing lyrical on building an economic recovery is all very well, but there is a growing belief that ... | ||
Perry Yeatman: "Sustainable Consumption" Is Not an Oxymoron. It's Not Optional, Either What are we willing to do to make a difference? 7 billion people can do a lot. I think we just need the right incentives and systems to make doing the "right" thing easier and more affordable... | ||
Organic Named Ad Age's Comeback Agency of the Year SAN FRANCISCO, CA-- - Digital agency Organic has been named Advertising Age's Comeback Agency of the Year . The accolade came in Ad Age's annual A-List issue, which honors the best and brightest in the ... | ||
Rainelle Harrell of Connecticut Partners With Clean Green Nation - SBWire (press release)
| ||
TGEG's Sleeping Green Energy Giant has Awakened - MarketWatch (press release)
| ||
Green agenda: New York International Gift Fair, Chicago Auto Show From January 28 to February 2 a range of environmentally friendly and sustainable goods will be honored in the Eco Choice Awards hosted at the New York International Gift Fair. Following this event a range of electric and hybrid vehicles from international manufacturers will be on display at the Chicago Auto Show held from February 8-19. .. | ||
Sustainable upgrades and green materials top home improvement trends for the New Year The New Year is an ideal time to initiate remodeling projects and refresh interiors EUR whether as a means by which to add value to your property or as an investment in the home of your dreams. This year, home improvement trends include everything from hidden-appliance kitchen remodels to mini-spa bathrooms: but in almost every area of the house, homeowners are also focusing on sustainable ... | ||
- Sustainable Products
- Sustainability
- Sustainable Business
- Sustainable Clothing
- Sustainable Community
- Sustainable Environment
- Sustainable Farming
- Sustainable Flooring
- Sustainable Food
- Sustainable Forestry
- Sustainable Gift
- Sustainable Industry
- Sustainable Land
- Sustainable Living
- Sustainable Marketing
- Sustainable Materials
- Sustainable Paper
- Sustainable Policy
- Sustainable Product Design
- Sustainable Projects
- Social Bookmark This Page
- Privacy Policy
- Sitemap
Articles