Why Food Production Is Killing Our Habitat

Food for thought; Our method of food production is killing our habitat

Fields of Wheat image Pexels

How have we arrived at this situation, that our actions are seriously harming our health and environment? With all the knowledge we have, we still do not fully understand the natural workings of our environment and the planet.

We are actually harming ourselves and the environment by using the currently accepted chemical practice of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. The environment is our habitat, so I do not understand why we are doing these things.

The modern way of growing food is wrong. We do it in such a way that we deplete the soil. The food that is produced has fewer nutrients and we get sicker by the day. It seems that this unhealthy food is the number 1 killer in the world.

They estimate that food kills more people than smoking or guns. One should really let this information sink in.

The spraying of the crop image PublicDomainPictures

The obligation of the government

A government’s duty is to keep its citizens happy, healthy, and prosperous, but sadly that is far from what is actually occurring. It seems that our health does not play an important role at all. One could get the impression it is the other way around.

The overproduction of top crops like corn, soy, and wheat, which are used to manufacture sugary, starchy, and highly addictive foods, makes you wonder if they do it on purpose.

The consumption of these foods causes chronic diseases and result in Big Pharma having a booming business. We could prevent all this. We are meant to live happy and healthy lives, so why do we settle for less? Did you know there are 7000 forgotten crops out there? Lots to choose from so why do we not amplify our menu?

This video is just over 7 minutes long. It explains the problems that modern agriculture creates in our world very well.

Back to natural

Everything is related and the effect of adopting this mass-produced unnatural chemical way of food production only contributes to more CO2, methane, and ultimately, increased climate change.

It seems that greenhouse gases produced by our food system account for half of all the greenhouse gasses produced. The global warming potential of the greenhouse gasses emitted each day by agriculture is equivalent to the heat released by 400.000 Hiroshima bombs.

On any typical day, drive through the countryside, you will see massive farms with only one crop. Years ago, you would see that crop rotation was always practiced but now, with the corporate farming system, the farm manager is tasked to produce as much as possible of a single crop, to maximize profits.

That happens every day so one should not wonder why there is climate change. The way how food is grown, the huge use of herbicides/pesticides, the cutting of trees, and the waste of water. The processing and transport, all this is not in harmony with nature and leaves a negative imprint on our environment. It causes an enormous loss of biodiversity and renders the soil sterile.

If instead, we would use techniques such as mixed farming (combined or rotating livestock and crops) in our farming practices, we would naturally fertilize the land and provide an increase in biodiversity in the soil.

Soil is a living entity. That is something Sir Albert Howard recognized early in the 20th century. The philosophy of organic farming is a technique that was brought to the public’s attention through his and the effort of like-minded individuals.

We consider him one forethinker of organic agriculture. We have to rethink the way we manage agriculture. It seems that tech-enhanced perma-culture could be the answer.

Wildflowers and Clover image Greg Larcombe

The philosophy of perma-culture

It is a lot more than only organic farming. It is a way of seeing things and teaches respect for our environment. It is restoring the balance in nature and in the meantime producing wholesome food and giving back to the earth by adding humus.

It is very important that we kick this perma-culture concept into top gear because as it currently stands; it is predicted that by the year 2048 all the money spent will be on chronic diseases. There will not be money for anything else.

No more funds for schools or roads and other needed projects. It will be used to keep a chronically sick population alive. We have been eating in such a way that this will be our future. Do you want that? It might not be you but your children and their children.

The human race will succumb to the effects of awful food we have grown ourselves. I think it is high time we protest and force the people in power to change their modus operandi. It is time to seriously think about our health and the environment. They have been filling their pockets for far too much time.

How to grow organic vegetables

To grow organic food all you need is a small space, even your balcony will work, some sunlight, and a halfway green thumb. I present to you a book to help you get on the way so you soon will be able to taste that lovely homegrown tomato.

It is well written and straightforward. Photos and simple steps will help you succeed. From seed set, transplanting, cultivation, fertilizers, composting, and harvest. When you eat your first homegrown tomato, you will know it was worthwhile.

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An afterthought

People often say organic food is more expensive than “normal” food. Organic food holds vastly more nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. So, by eating less food you actually have a bigger benefit. Long term, you will be less prone to all kinds of ailments.

I have made a special page for my visitors, please have a look at Recommendations, you might find something of your interest.

Source: Dr. Mark Hyman, a newsletter from 19 Feb 2020

Photo Source: Pixabay

We are doing a lot of harmful things. All this spraying of the crops is bad for our health and bad for all living things. You might like to read the following post.

The Danger Of Chlorpyrifos On Your Food