Environment, Food and People: Is Modern Agriculture Sustainable
Virtually everyone is aware of the importance of agriculture to supporting the lives of the over 6 billion people on the planet. But, the fact that food is quite plentiful in Western societies and available at a relatively low cost can hide the crisis that exists in agriculture. This crisis is outlined in the articles "Averting a Disaster" that was published in "International Agricultural Development" and "Assault on the Earth" by Elena Wilken. Close examination of these articles shows that together they provide a comprehensive look at the problem of soil degradation and loss. An attempt is made to outline possible solutions. But these articles fail to pay enough attention to the underlying cause of this situation and an area where the greatest chance for success in solving problems exists, namely the lack of a global management system. 4 pgs. 7 f/c. 2b.