There is a growing concern that the world may be facing an agricultural shortage. I have heard others voice this before, but until today’s article from Jason Bradford I had never seen anyone really dissect this issue. The article, Energy Descent and Agricultural Population, takes a look at how much energy a nation consumes and how much agriculture they contribute.
Bradford notes that 2 percent of the US population farms for the rest of us, and that their average age is about 60. A high tech and decentralized agricultural industry demands energy to produce and distribute, which ultimately equate into passed on energy costs. When oil is expensive, your food costs more. Jim Rogers, an investor I trust a great deal claims that farmers will be driving Lamborghini’s one day soon.
No one goes into farming. College students are geared towards professional careers, and we are essentially losing life supporting skills. This isn’t even factoring in growing world populations which stress world supplies.
It seems that what we need now are foods which are produced, processed, and distributed on local levels. All of this utilizing renewable energy sources. Not necessarily to be green, but to be smart. The media is dusting off WWII era words like Victory Gardens. Prepare for that phrase to enter your lexicon.
March 18th, 2009 at
[...] Austin is ticked off at FWISD, which seems to be thinking of making some layoffs, and has his own suggestions for how the superintendent can make things better for the District. And he’s written a nice post about bringing back the Victory Garden. [...]