extensive land use to sustain agriculture ralph c. martin, ph.d., p.ag. loblaw chair, sustainable...
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Extensive Land Use to Sustain Agriculture
Ralph C. Martin, Ph.D., P.Ag.
Loblaw Chair, Sustainable Food Production
Tel: 519-824-4120, Ext 52460 Email: [email protected]
20th to 21st Century
Sustainable Food Production Sustainable Food Production Sustaining Food Production
Uses of Farm Land
Land asked to produce 4Fs Food, Feed, Fibre and Fuel (energy)
and Fun.
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Current Food System
• Over 7 billion people• 1 billion have too little • 1.6 billion eat too much• Wasting > 40% of food
Josette Sheeran, Exec. Dir. UN World Food Program
People who are hungry do one of three things:
they revolt they migrate or they die
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And the 1.6 billion who eat too much …
• Two-thirds of health-care costs can now be attributed to chronic diseases associated with unhealthy eating. 20th Century Agriculture: the health cost. 2009, CAPI
• An ounce of prevention?
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There’s Waste and Waist
The average American consumes about 3747 kcal per day (not including junk food) compared to the recommended 2000 to 2500 kcal per day
23 July 2008 NewScientist.com news service Pimental et. al.
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Population, Excess Consumption and
Waste• Total Calories Required
= # people x 2300 calories x Consumption factor per person x Waste factor per person
• We need 79 billion cal /d for 34,300,000 Canadians. • If eat 1.2 x need, then must provide 94 billion cal/d • Furthermore, with carelessness of wasting 40%, must
provide 158 billion cal/d
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Plan A for 2050
• 9 - 10 billion people (30 – 40 % increase)• In developing countries, average incomes rise,
they consume more meat and richer foods• Thus increase food
production by 70 – 100%
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Plan B for 2050
• In developing countries, more and improved education for women goal of < 9 billion people (< 30% increase)
• In developed countries, reduce food waste less meat (higher quality) more pulses less fat, salt and sugar (decrease food requirement here by 30%)
From Waste to Quality?
• Households in Canada spend $140/wk on food. Jonathan Bloom in American Wasteland estimates 25% is wasted. Others suggest 15%.
• If we assume 20% of food wasted in households, then the cost of tossing is $28/wk.
• How much could food quality and health improve if households used that $28/wk, more effectively?
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A New Ag/Food Question
How will we eat well in our resilient communities…
in an period of declining oil and climate change?
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Aspects of Eating Well"Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”
Michael Pollan. 2007. In Defense of Food
Avoid excess fat, salt and sugar
Health, Fellowship, Local Culture Enough for All and Not Wasting Nutrition, Whole Food, Vigour Freshness, Flavour, Favourite Recipes
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Food and HealthAn ounce of prevention is worth
a pound of cure
If we invest in more healthy food (prevention), how much could our federal, provincial and municipal health-related budgets (cure) and business costs be reduced?
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Resilient Communities
• Rich top soil, clean air and water, and healthy, local food for all community members
• Observe the results of our actions and respond• Profitable Food Businesses• Honour farmers• Council of All Beings• Consider 7 Generations
in past and future
In long term, we can be fussy about imports
• Real popul’n density - people/sq km farmland Netherlands 2205 China 943 (losing 1% farmland/yr) Canada 78
Attitude of Gratitude Take moments to be
thankful, especially for good food.
Appreciate what we have, know when we have enough and share.
Vision to Sustain Food
A food system based on healthy soil, clean air and water, and regenerative energy to support profitable and resilient farming and fishing communities and a healthy food supply for all.