General Discussion

cheapdate

(3,811 posts)

12. That's false.

Wed Mar 25, 2015, 09:24 AM

Mar 2015

The so-called "green revolution" in chemical and fossil fuel dependent extensive farming took place in the 20th century. It was a choice, not a necessity. It's not a necessity now.

100 years ago, if you went to Paris, Tokyo, Atlanta, or any big city, you would've found the same thing. A big city ringed by traditional mixed farms. The abandonment of mixed farms brought on by cheap oil and chemical fertilizers happened for a lot of reasons, but necessity wasn't one of them.

Modern, industrial, extensive farming is economically efficient, in narrow, short-sighted terms. It turns living soil into lifeless dirt, just as the OP states.

Where populations have been separated from the land base and left without any means to feed themselves, the causes are political.

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We�re treating soil like dirt. It�s a fatal mistake, as our lives depend on it [View all] JohnyCanuck Mar 2015 OP

Another reason it bothers me that we spend so much time dumping salts Erich Bloodaxe BSN Mar 2015 #1

It also effects water sources as well. When small glowing Mar 2015 #2

+1 Enthusiast Mar 2015 #10

and it all washes into the marshes and causes algae blooms that kill off marine ecosystems. KittyWampus Mar 2015 #37

"Our existence depends on six inches of topsoil and the fact that it rains." bananas Mar 2015 #3

Topsoil with the nutrients left intact. dixiegrrrrl Mar 2015 #17

R & K! RiverLover Mar 2015 #4

A return to organic farming is necessary. Compost, worms, fungus, no till, all of it. Dont call me Shirley Mar 2015 #5

Then you better be prepared to kill 3 billion people. Indydem Mar 2015 #6

The present system is not sustainable. roody Mar 2015 #7

That's false. cheapdate Mar 2015 #12

I live in a big city. The Twin Cities of Minnestota MineralMan Mar 2015 #21

Theoretically yes, if we cut global meat consumption by 90% NickB79 Mar 2015 #28

Begin teaching people that minimizing meat consumption is healthiest way. People will follow. Dont call me Shirley Mar 2015 #35

Well, those of us who sounded the alarm back in the 70's just happened to Nay Mar 2015 #16

+1 LiberalLoner Mar 2015 #19

Organic farming is the only sustainable agriculture for 7 billion people and the planet. Dont call me Shirley Mar 2015 #27

I agree but with Monsanto, etc Big Ag.. I fear for the worst. And, I'm a very positive person most Cha Mar 2015 #32

I wonder if they are descendants of the Machiavelli family. I swear, that bad, Cha. Dont call me Shirley Mar 2015 #34

One of our Planet's worst nightmares and we are living it. thank goodness there are people standing Cha Mar 2015 #36

They reign like a domineering kingdom. A nightmare they are, indeed. We really must save our Dont call me Shirley Mar 2015 #39

This is incorrect. It is wrong. It is a lie. Sorry, you are not right. KittyWampus Mar 2015 #38

excellent article G_j Mar 2015 #8

The NY Times published my letter on this years ago NJCher Mar 2015 #9

Some communities have communal composting facilities. Enthusiast Mar 2015 #14

If you do vegetable gardening MissB Mar 2015 #22

Wow! The hugelkultur is a fascinating concept. Enthusiast Mar 2015 #24

we have that NJCher Mar 2015 #40

Geez! Enthusiast Mar 2015 #41

actually NJCher Mar 2015 #42

Well, we treat the rest of the planet like a toilet joined to a landfill... Moostache Mar 2015 #11

Yes. Many of these most devout religious people subscribe to the James Watt theory of stewardship. Enthusiast Mar 2015 #15

Visit George Monbiot's website for more excellent articles. slumcamper Mar 2015 #13

K&R! marym625 Mar 2015 #18

Don't worry! Monsanto will make new Roundup infused GMO bacterialized soil for us! Zorra Mar 2015 #20

That almost isn't funny. They might have a similar system in the planning. Enthusiast Mar 2015 #25

the whole system of food production must change or... SoLeftIAmRight Mar 2015 #23

THIS is why I buy organic whenever possible Dems to Win Mar 2015 #26

Agriculture beyond the Green Revolution: Shaping the Future We Want JohnyCanuck Mar 2015 #29

This message was self-deleted by its author JohnyCanuck Mar 2015 #30

The soil is a living thing that we have killed with ignorance and greed. Studying the freshwest Mar 2015 #31

Mahalo Johny! Cha Mar 2015 #33