One of the most interesting techniques is the replication of natural environments to create a kind of self-sustaining agricultural system, which is embodied through the practices of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) and Aquaponics. For more information you can read about them on their wiki and related links.
In traditional aquiculture, fish are kept in large netted regions within a bay or estuary where they are fed and grow until they are ready for harvest. One of the major problems of this is that the fish feces and decaying fish feed create a nitrogen rich environment, which then causes growths of certain algae which results in environmental damage. This process also occurs when nitrogen rich fertilizers leach into streams stimulating rampant growth. In Aquaponics, the fish are raised in a closed system meaning that their waste water, which is rich in plant nutrients, is filtered through some simple biological filters and then used as the nutrient rich water for the hydroponic growth of plant eliminating the waste and environmental impact. A simpler application of this idea is IMTA in which several trophic levels of organisms are combined so that beneath the fish pens are sea-plants and shellfish which consume the fish waste so that it does not pollute the water and the plants and fish can be harvested.
This is just a simple example and I only gave it a brief explanation. It is just one instance of how the solution to our agriculture problems is not to retreat to the past but to learn from the billions of years of evolution and mix in some of our modern technology and ideas to produce real results and solve problems.
One of my favorite quotes about progress comes from Nobel Laureate Glenn Seaborg:
“The modern technological world appears overwhelming to many people. It
drives some to pessimism and despair. It makes others doubt the future of
mankind unless we retreat to simpler lives and even to the ways of our
ancestors. What these people fail to realize is that we cannot go back to those
ways and those days. Furthermore, for all our difficulties, life today is far
better for more people and the possibilities for the future can be brighter than
ever if we develop not only new knowledge, but a greater faith and confidence in
the human mind and spirit.”
8 comments:
Well, I have never been one for checking the labels on organic foods, or at least I didn't think I was, but I suppose now I will start to be. Maybe the major problem these days is the media, or society (both work). We are told that organic is healthier and natural, which just sounds better, and the truth is that the truth must be told. Until we open our eyes we are going to keep buying into what is wrong, and yes that does have a double meaning.
At any rate, I think that you are right and I will watch what I buy.
Welcome to blogland. Nice first post.
Sir, I am going to have to disagree with the reason for your aversion to organic foods.
Many organic foods are produced with the aid of modern technology without which they would not, in fact, be possible. The point is less "retreating into the past" than "not putting terrifying hormones into our foods that will cause the breasts of eighty year old men to double in size," and it is also largely an issue of humane treatment: particularly where livestock are concerned, better treatment means better food, and the things they inject into cows to make them produce more milk...well. Sometimes the white stuff coming out of them isn't necessarily milk. Isn't it exciting? Also, organic milk just tastes better.
Additionally, the only way that we as consumers can inform the food industry that they need to shape up is by boycotting products that we find morally reprehensible or insufficient. Until "modern agriculture" comes a lot farther than it has, I will continue to buy organic and will savor my slightly more expensive non-hydroponic fruits and vegetables, because they are tasty.
It is good to want progress, but one must be careful not to be a slave to Progress, in whose name many a crime has been committed (the same is true, interestingly, of many gods).
oh, and this is meghan smith. remember me?
Thomas, you nerd.
I understand that there are quality and treatment concerns with many modern agricultural products but that is the result of certain practices not the system as a whole. Plants which have been genetically engineered to be more resistant to pests do not taste any different than the non-engineered plants. Hydroponics also produces a high quality and healthy plant. Actually there is a debate currently about weather organic farming requires soil, which if it does not would enable some hydroponic products to be classified as organic. There also an interesting meat manufacturing process that is being researched. This process would allow us to actually grow meat from cultures. This would be the ultimate humane treatment of animals as they would never have to be killed.
Abbey, did I ever tell you about the FoxTrot cartoon "Binary Soup" in which Jason was eating a soup with a bunch of binary words in it and if you took those digits and converted them with ASCII it spelled out "You Nerd"
That might be the greatest thing I've ever heard.
I would like to state that this is not the viewpoint of the entire Catanach family and I occasionally like to sneak organic food into Thomas's diet [smiley face].
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