NEW BOOK The Future of Food and Agriculture
David A. Cleveland (Author)
http://www.ucpress.edu/book.php?isbn=
9780520277427
This book is an interdisciplinary primer on critical thinking and
effective action for the future of our global agrifood system, based on
an understanding of the system’s biological and sociocultural roots. Key
components of the book are a thorough analysis of the assumptions
underlying different perspectives on problems related to food and
agriculture around the world and a discussion of alternative solutions.
David Cleveland argues that combining selected aspects of small-scale
traditional agriculture with modern scientific agriculture can help
balance our biological need for food with its environmental impactand
continue to fulfill cultural, social, and psychological needs related to
food.
Balancing on a Planet is based on Cleveland’s research and engaging
teaching about food and agriculture for more than three decades. It is a
tool to help students, faculty, researchers, and interested readers
understand debates about the current crisis and alternatives for the
future.
.
Why Local Foods? What Foods Are
Planet Friendly?
Report of UCSB Lecture by Judy Sims
UCSB environmental studies professor, David A. Cleveland, presented a
Nov. 18, 2014, inaugural talk based on his research and book,
Balancing on a Planet. The event, sponsored by UCS's Office
of the Executive Vice Chancellor and the Interdisciplinary Humanities
Center, was an Anthropocene” series presentationlookinng at the
present geological epoch, during which human activity has been the
dominant influence on climate and the environment.
Dr. Cleveland's talk targeted the question, Can local food improve
health, increase equity, and slow global warming? Can local
food serve local needs in today's economy? What are solutions
to the global food system problems, considering that climate change
affects the most hungry, who are also the most vulnerable--not having
resources to adapt to climate change?
There are two big challenges: 1) rate of growth of human
population; 2) lack of appropriate indicators for identifying high-impact
reasons for the probleme.g. food miles is not a significant
indicator. Dr. Cleveland addressed solutions that include
decreasing consumption, and in particular, diet change, pointing out
that, The foods that are good for people are good for the planet.
This translates into no red meat, lots of vegetables and whole grains,
resulting in significant decreases in disease, health care, and lowering
green house gases.
What does it take for people to change diet patterns?
Providing information is not the answerpeople are generally very
conservative. Convenience and habit are basic indicators. Peer
group action based on changed values can successfully motivate collective
action. Dr. Cleveland referenced several examples in history where
eating choices have become social statements, such as in the documentary
film,"Cesar's Last Fast."
How do we control our food system? Dr. Cleveland pointed out the
importance of understanding the whole life cycle as well as the global
perspective in order to make decisions about food choices. There are
limits. We have to change our demand. The challenge is
to get people to see climate change as personal. We need to
understand and deal with ways that food corporations are swaying our food
choiceswe need a social purpose.
(Note: a signed copy of Professor David Cleveland's book,
Balancing on a Planet, is available for loan from Trinity
Gardens.)
(805) 962-2571
P.O. Box 92156, Santa Barbara, CA 93190
margie@sbpermaculture.org
http://www.sbpermaculture.org
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