Guest post | Agricultural biodiversity and Sustainability for the Future

by Tim Wilson, June 14, 2010

At SustainableDev.org we are open about our support for market-based approach to economic, social and environmental development. We have had a request for a guest post from a reader, and while we don’t agree with all of the text, we thought it may stir debate particularly in terms of promoting biologically diverse agro crops.

Below is Agricultural biodiversity and Sustainability for the Future by Jack Lundee.

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Since the beginning of the green movement, there has been a rise in the number of organizations and businesses that are doing their part in the promotion of sustainability through conservation. The climate is continuing to worsen, and individual, as well as collaborative acts are important for any successful green campaign.  As human beings, we’re constantly told to reduce our carbon footprint, consume less unhealthy foods, and spend less time in the shower! But let’s take a minute to step back and look at this from a different perspective; one that Gary Nabham strongly suggests.

Gary Paul Nabham, phD., is a Arab-American writer/conservationist who’s extensive farming work in the U.S./Mexico borderlands region has made him world renown. Specifically speaking, Nabham is known for his work in biodiversity as an ethnobotanist. His uplifting messages and attitude towards life and culture has granted us access to multiple beneficial theories including his latest of eat what you conserve.

According to The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, about three quarters of the genetic diversity of crops been vanished over the last century and that a dozen species now gives %90 of the animal protein eaten globally. In accordance, just 4 crop species supply half of plant based calories in the human diet.

Nabham claims that by eating the fruits and vegetables that we are attempting to conserve/save, we’re promoting the granular dissemination of various plant species. But this goes beyond what we typically buy in supermarkets, particularly because of price and abundance. We must remember to try new things and immerse ourselves in the very concept of diversity. Keep in mind; the benefits of splurging for that costly fruit/vegetable supremely outweigh the cons. Not only does one promote biodiversity and further eliminate the need of farmers to remove rare, less purchased crops off their agenda, but one also effectively encouraging healthier lifestyles.

Agriculturist Marco Contiero mentioned that “biodiversity is an essential characteristic of any sustainable agricultural system, especially in the context of climate change.” Contiero believes that people should eat localized crops, spending less time purchasing imports and becoming heavily reliant. Although, has our carelessness set us back a bit already? And what can we do to catch up? How long can we rely on values and suggestions like that of Contiero, granted climate change is a direct result of an increased carbon footprint?

In theory, climate change is a direct result of what we’re doing to our planet – Some would argue the importance of investing in new ways to alter crops to endure such change.

With sustainable crop efforts being lead by the CGI (Clinton Global Initiative) and the IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) the duo plans to provide a more sustainable crop, untouched by natural disasters, much like the consistent flooding in Southeast Asia. Brainchild behind the operation,  Doug Band, the CGI, and the IRRI are investing in ways to genetically alter rice crops; It’s mere research at this point, and previous attempts at genetically altered crops have been known to fail, so what does this mean for biodiversity? Generally speaking, if these engineered plants continued to fail, it could be equal to billions of eco-dollars lost. But we must look at this from both sides of the spectrum; it’s more important that we locate a solution sooner than later, and while the climate continues to worsen, some types of crops (like the rice crops found in SE Asia) simply cannot withstand.

Nabhma and Contiero’s theories both rely profoundly on an action oriented approach at conservation and sustainability. With an abundance of green movements following Earth Day 2010, organizations and individuals have taken a stronger following to expert opinions like the ones demonstrated by both of these highly influential agriculturalists. Disregarding outside influence (i.e. – carbon emissions), these theories are naturally sound and prove noteworthy. So next time you’re in the grocery store, remember to cultivate new agro-products.

Jack Lundee – Supporter of all things green and progressive

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