Balancing on a Planet: The Future of Food and Agriculture (Volume 46) (California Studies in Food and Culture)

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 impact—and 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.

As the global population heads toward 9 billion by 2050, decisions made today will lock countries into growth patterns that may or may not be sustainable in the future. Care must be taken to ensure that cities and roads, factories and farms are designed, managed, and regulated as efficiently as possible to wisely use natural resources while supporting the robust growth developing countries still need. Economic development during the next two decades cannot mirror the previous two: poverty reduction remains urgent but growth and equity can be pursued without relying on policies and practices that foul the air, water, and land. Inclusive Green Growth: The Pathway to Sustainable Development makes the case that greening growth is necessary, efficient, and affordable. Yet spurring growth without ensuring equity will thwart efforts to reduce poverty and improve access to health, education, and infrastructure services. Countries must make strategic investments and farsighted policy changes that acknowledge natural resource constraints and enable the world's poorest and most vulnerable to benefit from efficient, clean, and resilient growth. Like other forms of capital, natural assets are limited and require accounting, investment, and maintenance in order to be properly harnessed and deployed. By maximizing co-benefits and avoiding lock-in, by promoting smarter decisions in industry and society, and by developing innovative financing tools for green investment, we can afford to do the things we must.

Cover 1 Contents 8 List of Illustrations 10 List of Tables 14 Preface: A Personal History 16 Acknowledgments 26 Introduction 28 PART ONE: Agrifood Systems History and Future 38 1 Eating Stardust: Population, Food, and Agriculture on Planet Earth 40 2 Agricultural Revolutions 74 3 Thinking Critically about Sustainable Agrifood Systems 98 4 Sustainable Agrifood Systems: Three Emphases 124 PART TWO: Moving toward Sustainable Agrifood Systems: A Balancing Act 150 5 Managing Evolution: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology 152 6 Managing Agricultural Ecosystems: The Critical Role of Diversity 187 7 Managing People: The Common Property Option 210 8 The Big Solutions: Climate Change, Resource Cycles, and Diet 232 9 The Big Solutions: Localizing Agrifood Systems 260 Appendix 1. Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Symbols 282 Appendix 2. Metric Units and Metric-English Unit Conversions 285 Notes 288 References 298 Index 340 A 340 B 340 C 341 D 341 E 342 F 342 G 342 H 343 I 343 J 343 K 343 L 344 M 344 N 345 O 345 P 345 R 346 S 346 T 346 U 347 V 347 W 347 Y 347 Z 347 "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 impact -- and 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."--Publisher's Web site 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 impact—and 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.
Content: Cover Contents List of Illustrations List of Tables Preface: A Personal History Acknowledgments Introduction PART ONE: Agrifood Systems History and Future 1 Eating Stardust: Population, Food, and Agriculture on Planet Earth 2 Agricultural Revolutions 3 Thinking Critically about Sustainable Agrifood Systems 4 Sustainable Agrifood Systems: Three Emphases PART TWO: Moving toward Sustainable Agrifood Systems: A Balancing Act 5 Managing Evolution: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology 6 Managing Agricultural Ecosystems: The Critical Role of Diversity. 7 Managing People: The Common Property Option8 The Big Solutions: Climate Change, Resource Cycles, and Diet 9 The Big Solutions: Localizing Agrifood Systems Appendix 1. Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Symbols Appendix 2. Metric Units and Metric-English Unit Conversions Notes References Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y Z. An analytical framework for green growth Fostering environment-friendly behavioral change through market and non-market mechanisms Innovation and other industrial policies Human capital: implications of green growth policies for labor markets and job creation Natural capital Physical capital: the role of infrastructure in green growth strategies Crafting a green growth strategy.