Is the term “sustainability” becoming overused, misused and overall meaningless when it comes to food? Many argue it is, especially in light of corporations using it commercially. (Some consider this “greenwashing.)
Right now there is a shift occuring in the way we are seeing our local food ecosystem. As awareness and media increase, people are trying to make more informed and socially conscious eating choices. In order for this to continue, many advocates and farmers are starting to introduce the term “regenerative” into the conversation.
“Sustainable”
Let’s start with the word “sustainable.” In essence, a sustainable food system should be able to grow food without completely using up or destroying natural resources. This includes eliminating externally sourced inputs such as fossil fuels and chemicals. In essence, the goal should be maintenance without degradation.
By this definition, pretty much all industrial agriculture today is not sustainable. Factory farms dump waste, use antibiotics and hormones, rely on GMOs and all other forms of synthetics and chemicals. Much research has been done on how modern industrial agriculture is destroying the environment.
With these realities, the real question should be, is aspiring towards sustainability really enough? Are we settling for sustainability when there should be a loftier goal than maintaining the status quo?
“Degenerative”
Some advocates believe instead of the term “sustainable” we should be seeing the food ecosystem, and our eating choices, from a regenerative and degenerative duality.
On the degenerative side, you have food production that involves toxic chemicals and industrial practices that adversely impact the climate, soil health, water supply, biodiversity, human health and local economies. This would be the majority of industrial agriculture today. Documentaries like Food Inc. clearly demonstrate the negative side of a degenerative food system.
“Regenerative”
On the other side, there is a shift toward a regenerative movement. This is where consumers are choosing food produced using organic regenerative practices based upon principles that rejuvenate soil and land, replenish water, promote preventative health and allow families of all income level access to basic nutrition. This ecological approach solves the issue of the carbon footprint, as these practices draw down excess carbon dioxide into the earth where It can be put to good use by the environment’s natural systems.
In the 1970s, Robert Rodale, son of American organic pioneer J.I. Rodale coined the term ‘regenerative organic agriculture’ to distinguish a kind of farming that goes beyond simply “sustainable.”
According to the Rodale Institute:
Regenerative organic agriculture improves the resources it uses, rather than destroying or depleting them. It is a holistic systems approach to agriculture that encourages continual on-farm innovation for environmental, social, economic and spiritual well-being.
Regenerative organic agriculture “takes advantage of the natural tendencies of ecosystems to regenerate when disturbed. In that primary sense it is distinguished from other types of agriculture that either oppose or ignore the value of those natural tendencies.” Regenerative organic agriculture is marked by tendencies towards closed nutrient loops, greater diversity in the biological community, fewer annuals and more perennials, and greater reliance on internal rather than external resources. Regenerative organic agriculture is aligned with forms of agroecology practiced by farmers concerned with food sovereignty the world over.
A Regenerative Revolution
More and more local farmers are thinking beyond “sustainability.” One could say they are leading the charge in a regenerative revolution. And we can do our part as well. We vote with our dollars. While it is important to consider making informed health choices in the food we buy, we should also consider our environment and the health of the planet. Regenerative agriculture is the revolution that cools the earth, feeds the world, heals the soil, fosters food sovereignty and strengthen communities.
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