(11-21-2011, 07:08 PM)abridgetoofar Wrote: From a sustainability point of view, the only way we're going to feed 7 billion people without destroying the Earth is through use of efficient sustainable and permaculture techniques which employ the cultivation of both crops and livestock. There is a ton of energy and motivation going in to studying the most efficient and sustainable systems for producing quantities of food. Just growing crop is not a sustainable system.
On top of that, without soy, a vegetarian diet is nearly impossible. The cultivation of soy in the quantities it would require for 7 billion people to be vegetarian are not nearly possible. A huge field of soy cannot support an ecosystem, where as a sustainable dynamic system growing a variety of crops and producing a variety of meats will output more protein and nutrition, all while supporting a natural ecosystem. Using the same amount of space, higher quantities of more nutritious food are produced, land is preserved, and life flourishes (where if you follow the source of the tofu you eat, you'd likely find a barren field with only one thing living there: soy).
In parts of the world where this isn't possible, the biggest saving grace would be aquaculture systems, where a greenhouse environment is created producing both vegetables as well as fish meats in a nearly closed, low-energy, low-water system.
I'm not trying to say the decision to be vegetarian is irresponsible. It's a personal decision and is possible for many people in the world if they wish to not eat meat. But what I am saying is the feasibility of producing enough food to feed the world is only going to come from mixed farming systems which practice sustainable husbandry and crop cultivation as integrated systems.
This is interesting. And I am not educated on the subject, so I will look into it. I would suggest that the animals are not slaughtered however, and produce milk and eggs. Caveat: not factory farming for milk and eggs; private individuals doing so that care for the animals.
I don't eat soy. Soy is not necessary to a vegetarian diet. Quinoa, for example, is a complete protein. There are trace amounts of protein in almost everything.
Regarding the humane raising of animals for meat:
There is the issue of freedom. Plants don't move around. Animals do, including fish. So, no matter how humane, they are being forced into an unnatural environment. Free range cattle would have it the best in this regard, as they roam over large areas.
Pickle, thank you for post 1514 on chlorophyl. You are an inspiration.
(11-22-2011, 03:27 AM)Bring4th_Monica Wrote: Are you saying that it's impossible to have a sustainable farm without animals? That if I compost regularly, I cannot grow fruits and vegetables, without animal input?
I don't have all the answers. What I do know is that, once we start making choices in alignment with our spiritual principles, the UniVerse will align itself to accommodate our choices.
I so agree with this. Thank you Monica.