Blog 22

How do permaculture and agroecology benefit the natural environment and humans? How do they affect our use of petroleum? The Right to Food UN Report focuses on third world countries. Which policy suggestions would work or not work in first world countries? Why or why not? From the mission of the Seed Savers Exchange, how might saving seeds make a greener food system?

 

Permaculture and agroecology benefit our natural environment because they focus on a more sustainable type of agricultural system. This also creates benefits for humans because permaculture and agroecology work to provide people with access to the resources that are necessary for their survival. Many solutions to ending hunger in third world countries obviously involve the use of agriculture. It is incorrect to assume though that by simply increasing a country's food production that country can effectively battle hunger or malnutrition.  To see significant progress farmers in third world countries must begin to move toward a lower carbon form of agriculture that also preserves resources.  One of the suggested policies I feel could work in first world countries is the concept of investing in knowledge because without investing in educational programs agroecology would not be possible. 

 

The reading on the Seed Savers Exchange made it clear that saving seeds can help to make a greener food system more focused on green values by preserving a diverse food system that promotes biodiversity & maintains thousands of different types of plants.