This thread is for continuing the discussion which began in the food workshop at the October 11th Conference in London.
Perhaps someone could start by providing a summary of what was discussed, so that those who went to other workshops or weren't able to attend the conference will feel able to participate.
Food Workshop at October 11th Conference
Moderator: Peak Moderation
(from the other thread)
Gundula Azeez, from the Soil Association, described benefits of Organic farming (such as drought tolerance), as well as the yields in comparison to existing methods (slightly less in UK, about the same in America, much more in the developing world). Rob Hopkins mentioned Agro-Forestry with sweet chestnuts and walnut trees growing reliably in the UK. Market gardening is the most efficient production method, and woodland is best for EMERGY. Uppsala University is studying EMERGY. A lengthy discussion was mostly about whether the UK could feed itself, the consensus was "just about", but all wastage would have to be minimised, with less meat production, and little or nothing left over for energy crops. Which would leave no room for population growth. The idea of community land ownership (a kind of tribal system) was also banded about. It appeared that a lot of the "Permaculture crew" were in the workshop; I do think there are worthwhile synergies between Peak Oil solutions, Permaculture and the Soil Association.
Gundula Azeez, from the Soil Association, described benefits of Organic farming (such as drought tolerance), as well as the yields in comparison to existing methods (slightly less in UK, about the same in America, much more in the developing world). Rob Hopkins mentioned Agro-Forestry with sweet chestnuts and walnut trees growing reliably in the UK. Market gardening is the most efficient production method, and woodland is best for EMERGY. Uppsala University is studying EMERGY. A lengthy discussion was mostly about whether the UK could feed itself, the consensus was "just about", but all wastage would have to be minimised, with less meat production, and little or nothing left over for energy crops. Which would leave no room for population growth. The idea of community land ownership (a kind of tribal system) was also banded about. It appeared that a lot of the "Permaculture crew" were in the workshop; I do think there are worthwhile synergies between Peak Oil solutions, Permaculture and the Soil Association.
Olduvai Theory (Updated) (Reviewed)
Easter Island - a warning from history : http://dieoff.org/page145.htm
Easter Island - a warning from history : http://dieoff.org/page145.htm
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PowerSwitchJames
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