Nature and social power (book)

Nature, Choice and Social Power

We are at an environmental impasse. Many blame our personal choices about the way we live. This is only part of the problem. Different forms of social power - political, economic and ideological - structure the choices we have available. This book analyses how we make social and environmental history and why we end up where we do. Case studies challenge conventional wisdoms about why gold is valuable, why the internal combustion engine triumphed, and when and why suburbs sprawled. The book shows how the power of individuals, the power of classes, the power of the market and the power of the state were critical to setting us on a path to environmental degradation. It also challenges conventional wisdom about what we need to do now. Rather than reducing consumption and shrinking from outcomes we don’t want, it proposes growing towards outcomes we do want. We invested massive resources in creating our problems; it will take equally large investments to fix them.

Difference and inequality in alternative food (book)

Savoring Alternative Food: School Gardens, Healthy Eating and Visceral Difference

Advocates of the alternative food movement often insist that food is our "common ground" – that through the very basic human need to eat, we all become entwined in a network of mutual solidarity. In this challenging book, the author explores the contradictions of alternative food activism by examining the movement through various lenses of social difference – including class, race, gender, and age. While the solidarity adage has inspired many, it has also had the unfortunate effect of promoting sameness over difference, eschewing inequities in an effort to focus on being "together at the table". The author explores questions of who belongs at the table of alternative food, and who gets to decide what is eaten there. Case studies are presented from school gardens and slow food movements in Berkeley, California and rural Nova Scotia.

Intro to the green economy (book)

An Introduction to the Green Economy: Science, Systems and Sustainability

This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to the green economy, using a strongly interdisciplinary approach based on environmental science, rather than treating it as a sub-set of economics. The scientific principles of sustainability are presented, which provide the foundations of the green economy, with a particular focus on systems-based approaches. Examples of real-world case studies are used to illustrate how the green economy can be achieved in practice, drawing from a wide range of disciplines including ecology, geography, social science, psychology, sustainability science, environmental science, law and economics.

Half the world's animals lost since 1970 (report)

The Living Planet Report 2014

This latest edition of the Living Planet Report is not for the faint-hearted. The  Living Planet Index (LPI), which measures more than 10,000 representative populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, has declined by 52 per cent since 1970. Put another way, in less than two human generations, population sizes of vertebrate species have dropped by half. We are using nature’s gifts as if we had more than just one Earth at our disposal. By taking more from our ecosystems and natural processes than can be replenished, we are jeopardizing our very future. Nature conservation and sustainable development go hand-in-hand. They are not only about preserving biodiversity and wild places, but just as much about safeguarding the future of humanity – our well-being, economy, food security and social stability – indeed, our very survival.

The 13 greatest weeds (book)

The Wild Wisdom of Weeds 13 Essential Plants for Human Survival

The Wild Wisdom of Weeds is the only book on foraging and edible weeds to focus on the thirteen weeds found all over the world, each of which represents a complete food source and extensive medical pharmacy. More than just a field guide to wild edibles, it is a global plan for human survival. If we can open our eyes to see the wisdom found in these weeds right under our noses, instead of trying to eradicate an "invasive," we will achieve true food security. If we can become familiar with these thirteen edible survival weeds, we will never go hungry, and we will become closer to our own wild human instincts—enjoying the freshest, wildest, and most nutritious food there is. For free!

Farming the woods (book)

Farming the Woods An Integrated Permaculture Approach to Growing Food and Medicinals in Temperate Forests

Learn how to fill forests with food by viewing agriculture from a remarkably different perspective: that a healthy forest can be maintained while growing a wide range of food, medicinal, and non-timber products. Many of things we take for granted, such as coffee, chocolate, and many tropical fruits, all originate in forest ecosystems. But such abundance is also available in the cool temperate forests of North America. Farming the Woods covers in detail how to cultivate, harvest, and market high-value forest crops such as American ginseng, shiitake mushrooms, wild leeks, maple syrup, fruit and nut trees, ornamentals, and more.

Europe's vegetation cover mapped (#journal)

Semi-natural vegetation in agricultural land: European map and links to ecosystem service supply

Semi-natural vegetation in agricultural land includes extensively managed grassland, agro-forestry and vegetated features not used for crop production, such as hedgerows and woodlots. Semi-natural vegetation plays a major role in the supply of ecosystem services such as pollination, pest control, water quality control and erosion prevention. In spite of such a relevance, semi-natural vegetation in agricultural land has never been mapped at the European scale. This article presents the first 1- km resolution map of semi-natural vegetation in agricultural land in the EU. Results show that semi-natural vegetation is usually beneficial for regulating services, whereas the relation to provisioning services is context-dependent. The study supports greening measures in the Common Agricultural Policy. Results also will help to identify green infrastructure elements and priority areas for ecological restoration.

 

Reduced tillage in organic farming (#journal)

Long-term feasibility of reduced tillage in organic farming

Soil tillage emits greenhouse gases, so reducing tillage could both reduce greenhouse emissions and improve soil quality. In Europe about 25 % of arable land is managed under reduced tillage, but a major drawback for organic farmers is the increase in weed infestation. This study compared reduced tillage and conventional tillage in a 2002–2011 field experiment in Switzerland. Weed abundance was 2.3 times higher under reduced tillage, however yields were similar for reduced tillage and conventional tillage. This study represents the first long-term trial under organic management showing that reduced tillage improves environmental performance.

Weeds and climate change (journal)

Impact of climate change on weeds in agriculture: a review

Climate change has induced transformations in the weed flora of arable ecosystems in Europe. The authors review the mechanisms of responses of arable weeds to climate change. Climate change effects are categorized into three distinct types of shifts: (1) range shifts at the landscape scale, (2) niche shifts at the community scale, and (3) trait shifts of individual species at the population scale. The main conclusions are changes in the species composition and new species introductions are favored, with major ecological and agronomical implications. Current research mainly considers processes at the landscape scale, but processes at the population and community scales have prevalent importance to devise sustainable management strategies.

Coffee polycultures minimise carbon footprint (#journal)

Carbon footprints and carbon stocks reveal climate-friendly coffee production

Two aspects of the climate impact of coffee production were studied: the standing carbon stocks in the production systems and the product carbon footprint. We collected data from 116 coffee farms in five Latin American countries for four coffee production systems: (1) traditional polycultures, (2) commercial polycultures, (3) shaded monocultures, and (4) unshaded monocultures.  Polycultures were found to have a lower mean carbon footprint and much higher carbon stocks in the vegetation than monocultures. Several other strategies were identified to reduce climate impacts of coffee production, including diversification with trees, use of their wood to substitute for fossil fuel and building materials, targeted use of fertilizer, and use of ecological processing instead of the traditional fully washed process.

Manure for rice production (#journal)

Increase of available soil silicon by Si-rich manure for sustainable rice production

Depletion of bio-available silicon, Si, in paddy soils can decrease the yields of rice. A potential solution is to amend soil with Si-rich organic wastes such as manure from animals fed with rice crop residues. Here, we studied Si in soils from 2000 to 2010 field experiments in Eastern China. Results showed that available Si in soils doubled, either as a direct input of available Si or due to Si produced by mineralization of Si minerals. These results show that amending soil with Si-rich manure in the long term is a solution for sustainable rice production.

Organic control of strawberry diseases (#journal)

Soil biosolarization for sustainable strawberry production

Strawberry diseases are commonly controlled by soil fumigation with toxic chemicals. However, we have tested soil biosolarization, a new technique combining soil biofumigation and soil solarization, to cultivate the Camarosa strawberry in southwestern Spain. Soil was biofumigated by amendment of fresh chicken manure at 12,500 kg/ha; chicken manure at 25,000 kg/ha; Brassica juncea pellets at 2,000 kg/ha; sugar beet vinasse at 15,000 kg/ha; or dried olive pomace at 12,500 kg/ha. Soil was then solarized for 30 days by covering with a clear plastic mulch. The highest yield averaging 70,543 kg/ha and the lowest percentage of 12.6 % of second-class fruits were obtained by amendment of fresh chicken manure. Yields were similar to yields reported for chemical fumigation. In addition, biosolarization is about 20 % cheaper than chemical treatment.

Sustainable food sytems in Queensland (#journal)

 Sustainable Food Systems in Northern Queensland

This paper explores the development of sustainable food systems in Northern Queensland and draws conclusions as to how they can grow and become more stable in the future. It shows how a community is actively and creatively deploying local networks and local resources in order to gain access to locally-grown, sustainable food. The development of this alternative agri-food network (AAFN) is driven by grassroots movements. The opportunities and challenges faced by actors in alternative food systems are discussed. At federal government level, the adoption of intensive, productivist-based agriculture runs counter to the philosophy of AAFNs, so how can local communities influence food and agricultural policy?

Emily Floyd's permaculutre art (#journal)

Emily Floyd: In the knowledge garden 

Art Monthly Australia April 2014

Gardening is perhaps the most cultured activity in which most people participate. It is constructed, dismantled, renewed constantly and often in front of our eyes. Through understanding gardening - and I use that term to encompass agriculture as well as the humble garden bed - we gain a greater understanding of our society and community.

Integrated Forest Gardening: The Complete Guide to Polycultures and Plant Guilds in Permaculture Systems

The first, and most comprehensive, book about plant guilds, covering in detail both what guilds are and how to design and construct them, complete with extensive colour photography and design illustrations. The guild concept is one of a “functional relationship” between plants. In other words, it is the integration of species that creates a balanced, healthy, and thriving ecosystem. A guild is also a metaphor for all walks of life, including a group of people working together to craft works of balance, beauty, and utility. This book will benefit readers from permaculture designers to backyard growers.

 

Permaculture is a movement that is coming into its own, and the concept of creating plant guilds is increasingly at the forefront of every farmer’s and gardener’s permaculture practice.
Authors Wayne Weiseman, Daniel Halsey, and Bryce Ruddock have created the first, and most comprehensive, book about plant guilds, covering in detail both what guilds are and how to design and construct them, complete with extensive color photography and design illustrations. While other permaculture books address this topic of guilds, none provides enough depth to be replicable in a serious way.
Though detailed, Integrated Forest Gardening will benefit readers of any scale, from permaculture designers and professional growers to backyard growers new to the concept of permaculture.
One of the essential practices of permaculture is to develop perennial agricultural systems that thrive over several decades without expensive and harmful inputs. Those systems include perennial-plant guilds, food forests, agroforestry, and mixed animal-and woody-species polycultures.
The guild concept often used is one of a “functional relationship” between plants. In other words, it is the integration of species that creates a balanced, healthy, and thriving ecosystem. But it goes beyond integration. A guild is a metaphor for all walks of life, most importantly, a group of people working together to craft works of balance, beauty, and utility.
- See more at: http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/integrated_forest_gardening:paperback#sthash.G3lw9Pok.dpuf

Permaculture is a movement that is coming into its own, and the concept of creating plant guilds is increasingly at the forefront of every farmer’s and gardener’s permaculture practice.
Authors Wayne Weiseman, Daniel Halsey, and Bryce Ruddock have created the first, and most comprehensive, book about plant guilds, covering in detail both what guilds are and how to design and construct them, complete with extensive color photography and design illustrations. While other permaculture books address this topic of guilds, none provides enough depth to be replicable in a serious way.
Though detailed, Integrated Forest Gardening will benefit readers of any scale, from permaculture designers and professional growers to backyard growers new to the concept of permaculture.
One of the essential practices of permaculture is to develop perennial agricultural systems that thrive over several decades without expensive and harmful inputs. Those systems include perennial-plant guilds, food forests, agroforestry, and mixed animal-and woody-species polycultures.
The guild concept often used is one of a “functional relationship” between plants. In other words, it is the integration of species that creates a balanced, healthy, and thriving ecosystem. But it goes beyond integration. A guild is a metaphor for all walks of life, most importantly, a group of people working together to craft works of balance, beauty, and utility.
- See more at: http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/integrated_forest_gardening:paperback#sthash.G3lw9Pok.dpuf

Permaculture is a movement that is coming into its own, and the concept of creating plant guilds is increasingly at the forefront of every farmer’s and gardener’s permaculture practice.
Authors Wayne Weiseman, Daniel Halsey, and Bryce Ruddock have created the first, and most comprehensive, book about plant guilds, covering in detail both what guilds are and how to design and construct them, complete with extensive color photography and design illustrations. While other permaculture books address this topic of guilds, none provides enough depth to be replicable in a serious way.
Though detailed, Integrated Forest Gardening will benefit readers of any scale, from permaculture designers and professional growers to backyard growers new to the concept of permaculture.
One of the essential practices of permaculture is to develop perennial agricultural systems that thrive over several decades without expensive and harmful inputs. Those systems include perennial-plant guilds, food forests, agroforestry, and mixed animal-and woody-species polycultures.
The guild concept often used is one of a “functional relationship” between plants. In other words, it is the integration of species that creates a balanced, healthy, and thriving ecosystem. But it goes beyond integration. A guild is a metaphor for all walks of life, most importantly, a group of people working together to craft works of balance, beauty, and utility.
- See more at: http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/integrated_forest_gardening:paperback#sthash.G3lw9Pok.dpuf

Agro-ecology and climate change (online)

Diversity in organic and agroecological farming systems for mitigation of climate change impact, with examples from Latin America.

Chapter five in this book (free to download) considers the three-fold role of agro-ecology in addressing climate change: reducing emissions, mitigating impacts, and providing food security. Case studies are provided from Latin America.

FAO advocates perennial grains (report)

Perennial Crops for Food Security: Proceedings of the FAO expert workshop

 In the past few years the potential benefits of developing perennial grain-based cropping systems has become widely acknowledged. Much attention has been focused on the ecological benefits that communities of perennial plants can confer on a landscape: erosion prevention, efficient capture and use of water and nutrients, protection of water resources, carbon sequestration, and maintenance of thriving soil ecosystems. There is also growing recognition of the potential benefits for smallholder farmers: reduced expenditure for seed, fertilizer, and other inputs; more reliable stand establishment and early vigour; less effort expended on weed control; extended growing seasons; less transplanting; and protection of biodiversity. Perhaps the most important benefit of perennial agriculture will be the protection and development of healthy soil ecosystems that can ensure food security over the long term.

Intensification won't feed Africa (journal)

When yield gaps are poverty traps: The paradigm of ecological intensification in African smallholder agriculture

Yield gaps are pervasive in African smallholder agriculture, and are large for almost all crops in all regions. Poor soil fertility and nutrient availability are the major biophysical limitations to agricultural production in the continent. Estimates of yield gaps are given for major crops, together with a framework for how yield gaps can be estimated. The paradigm of ecological intensification which focuses on yield potential, soil quality and precision agriculture is explored. Our analysis suggests that smallholder farmers are unable to benefit from yield gains offered by plant genetic improvement, while continued cropping without sufficient inputs of nutrients and organic matter leads to   soil degradation. This necessitates a rethink for development policy.

Time in permaculture (online)

Andy Goldring on time in permaculture

Andy Goldring is the Coordinator/CEO of the Permaculture Association, a member of Leeds Permaculture network and an active teacher and designer. This interview was conducted as part of the AHRC-funded Sustaining Time project (www.sustainingtime.org). The project asks, if clock time helped build industrial capitalism & the idea of a speeded-up, networked time supports late capitalism, what kind of time would support alternative, sustainable economies?

What is agroecolgy? (report)

Agroecology - What it is and what it has to offer

In a context of a changing climate and growing concerns for more healthy food systems,agroecology is gaining momentum as a scientific discipline, sustainable farming approach and social movement. Yet its promotion in public agricultural policies, research and extension is still limited. This paper explores why this is. It calls for consolidating the evidence base for agroecology through multi-dimensional tools that not only measure yields, but also its many other benefits: economic, environmental and social. Mainstreaming agroecology will require a fundamental cultural and philosophical shift in how we as a society define‘productive’ and ‘efficient’ agriculture.

Interviews with well-known permies (online)

Interviews from the 2014 UK Convergence

13 interviews with permaculture advocates including Ian Lillington, Aranya, Jo Barker, James Taylor, Graham Burnett and several members of Permaculture Association staff, all recorded at the recent UK Convergence, are now available for your listening pleasure.

Mining destroys agriculture (report)

UnderMining Agriculture - How the Extractives Industries Threaten our Food Systems.

The Gaia Foundation's new report exposes the hidden costs of mining on food, water, land, air and climate, showing how each is increasingly affected by toxins as the global land and water grab intensifies. The report is a timely call to action for all food justice and anti mining organisations to come together with a harder line against the extractives sector.  Case studies from around the world illustrate how mining is destroying the conditions essential for healthy and productive agriculture as communities testify to experiencing livestock deaths, soil pollution, acidic water supplies, desertification of agricultural lands, and being forcibly displaced.