Sustainability - We can't keep it up!

16 October 2006

Sustainability in this sense means 'A method of using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged' (from Merriam Webster)

The easiest way to acheive sustainability is to aim for self-sufficiency.

I personally find it worrying that the UK is not self-sufficient for food or energy. We are largely dependant on other countries for these things.

If we provide the core things we need ourselves - we can be damn sure they are produced sustainably and to a high standard. We won't be beholden to anyone (like Gazprom for example)

The UK should not be dependant on other countries for the things we need to live. Part of growing up is becoming independant and self-sustaining. It doesn't mean you don't interact or trade with other people - it just means that you stand on your own feet - and can survive without them.

The UK should be able to finance, power, feed and water itself.

• Sustainability is the only way to guarantee that we can continue to enjoy our current standard of living.
• If we live in an unsustainable way then it is inevitable that at some point, the standard of living will decrease. If not for all, then more so for some.
• Only if we produce more than we consume - can everyone's standard of living increase sustainably.

If we are dependant on other countries for the things we need, then we are not a sovreign state.

How could the UK be self-sufficient and non-polluting?

See the page on global bloody warming for an in-depth discussion of how to make our energy infrastructure non-polluting.

The British Isles do have the disadvantages of being: a) very densely populated, b) in a temperate climate with a restricted growing season. However, with a lot of human ingenuity and careful management I still reckon it's possible...

I am willing to bet my house, and my virginity ;^), that if these policies were implemented - the whole UK would stop churning out CO2 in under 10 years.

Drunken Rantings Policy How to become self-sufficient and non-polluting for food and water This is basically going to be impossible without big changes in our diet, and the way we grow food. Increase taxes on imported food - except from developing countries. Use the money to improve our agricultural infrastructure. Make use of all available land for agriculture / arboriculture - i.e. Grow fruit and nut trees along all roads, put greenhouses on the tops of skyscrapers... Use the principles of Permaculture to maximise agricultural efficiency, and provide non-polluting water collection, storage and recycling facilities. If it's possible to do - the way to do it will be by being inventive, and by copying nature.

According to Macrobiotics we're far better off eating locally grown produce anyway.

Disaster Planning - Sustainability is not enough!

Considering that there are 60 million people in this country, how would we feed ourselves if there was any kind of global disaster or war?

If a volcanic eruption ruined crops around the whole world for a few years - most people would starve - and that includes us - because we have absolutely no meaningful reserves of the things we need.

This scenario is not that unlikely. The last time a similar huge eruption happened, it's thought it caused the 'Dark Ages'. It was dark because of a) all the bloody soot thrown up by Krakatau, and b) the subsequent total breakdown of civilisation due to famine.

Krakatau destroyed civilisation in about 535 AD. It took 15 years for the climate to return to normal. See this article for more info: Were the Dark Ages Triggered by Volcano-Related Climate Changes in the 6th Century?

In the bible - a 7 year famine affected the Egyptians. Fortunately they had prepared - thanks to Jacob's interpretation of Pharoe's dream - and stored enough grain to feed the whole population for 7 years...

I'd like the UK to have enough reserves of staple foods to sustain the whole population for 3-5 years minimum.

Comments

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Storage

Where do you think within the UK we have place to store such a huge amount of food. 3 years plus of staple food for 60 million people. It is already stated above that we are over-populated. Is this really the answer? I do agree however that we should be more self-sufficient. Although we don\'t have the same growing seasons as other countries or the climate i am sure there are things that this country can do to supplement them.

By Jo Hearn on 04 June 2007

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