Response
from Graham Brookman (Food Forest) to "Redefining "Natural" in
Agriculture

These posts are fascinating discussions about the merits of
various aspects of agriculture. There is clearly a range of circumstances
governing the most productive measures to be employed given soil and climate
conditions. There is no mention of the fact that all of these approaches entail
using replenishing natural material resources (RNMR) (carbon dioxide, water and
nutrients) and irreplaceable natural material resources (INMR) (for herbicides
and other treatments, powering tillage, transportation, fertility depletion,
environmental damage and the like). These are not mentioned because they are
taken for granted or just not taken into account. Yet it is an unsustainable
process
even though it may be future generations that have to pay the price of not
having enough food.

 

It is a common example of applying knowledge and technology to
improve the worth of using natural bounty to meet human needs. It looks at one
side of the coin only. It considers what is obtained by using these measures to
make irreversible use of natural goods and services. No consideration is given
to the irrevocable cost entailed in the rate of usage of INMR. This has been an
error by society for millennia but the consequences are coming home to roost
now.
The ecological forces, like declining supply of oil, are starting to exert
control. INMR is becoming scarce.

 

Denis Frith

 




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