Journal 8: Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization

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Discuss your learning experience from based on your assigned Plan B 4.0 issue. Discuss the salient aspects that you read and discussed in your group. Select some aspects of the discussions that resonates with your ideas. What did other team members post that you found intriguing? What is your Plan C on the issue that you discussed? In this journal, you need to make references to Lester Brown's Plan B 4.0 book and any other sources including Pachamama Alliance's Awakening the Dreamer.

    I had previous conceptions about the issues we face regarding food production. I specifically said in my initial discussion post that the food scarcity issue is not an issue of having the ability to grow enough food. After reading Lester Brown's Feeding 8 Billion People Well, it was confirmed to me that we do have the ability to grow an adequate amount of food for all of, the question is just how we moreso manage our resources to do that.

    The first intriguing aspect of this reading to me was the usage of certain pieces of land. Obviously we cannot grow oranges in Alaska and we clearly do not have rolling wheat field in Florida, but each environment is suited for specific crops. Utilizing these land areas to our advantage is the first step. Building on regional differences is the question of water. A precious commodity all over, water is required in some capacity by every crop---some much more than others. In chemistry terms, water would be the limiting reactant in this equation. It doesn't matter how many seeds we have or how much growable land is available, water is a key ingredient. As "70 percent of world water is devoted to irrigation" (Brown 223) (keeping in mind 2.5% of earth's total water is freshwater, with ~69% of it in icecaps/glaciers [USGS]), we have a mission to use that large chunk appropriately, be it through planning around dry/wet seasons, drip irrigation, etc. Other properties that are important to consider are things like soil nutrients, weather conditions, the health and nutritional benefits of one crop over another, etc. Between all of the technology, crop harvesting and modifications, there is plenty of food to be grown but the managing of these other factors is what is prohibiting us.

    I took more of a critical approach to this reading because I feel as though Brown either contradicts himself in his writings or simply raises alarm without raising any solution. Primarily in the role of governmental involvement, I feel Brown leaves us befuddled on how to feel or that he himself has not even made up his mind. In one example Brown used, the people of Malawi experienced great agricultural and economical growth after turning the issue over to the power of the government in the form of seed and fertilizer distribution to increase crop harvesting rates. (pg 219) In this instance, the power and responsibility lies in the government. However, moving into page 220, Brown discusses securing land ownership by farmers (ex. Chinese farmers' leases being extended) and the resulting productivity--namely successful harvests, investments in greenhouses, orchards or ponds--that entails. Likewise, in another example, Brown discusses Mexico’s unique strategy of managing their water scarcity issue by leaving it up to the regional areas to distribute and regulate. Brown even says, "Institutional shifts--specifically moving the responsibility for managing irrigation systems from government agencies to local water users associations--can facilitate the more efficient use of water." (Brown 224) In this instance, the power and responsibility lies in the individual people. He even goes on to say these local partnerships "do a better job than a distant government agency." (Brown 224) Between the different examples and a few more, I understood the issues Brown was talking about, but lack the understanding of where he presented a solution. Is it to be left up to the government? Is it to be left up to individual actions? Where is the balance between the two? Is there one?

    Prompted by my group members, I was tasked with answering my own questions. Let me share my thoughts with you: I believe that we will get no where unless there is a personal responsibility on behalf of the people. However, I also believe there is an education gap between the people and the harsh realities of the food scarcity and that is where I believe government intervention should come in. Not many people are blessed with the opportunity I have, to debate, discuss, learn, theorize, etc. about this issue, and therefore simply do not know of the ramifications we face. Therefore, it is up to some governmental agency, whether the EPA or the United States Department of Agriculture or whatever, to educate and promote the local management of resources. This way we would have the intellectual and financial resources of big government coupled with the expertise and specificity of local government in the form of local agencies or committees. The private sector may even be contracted out to perform research or review at all points of this system to provide transparency and consistency. That is where I stand on the question of governmental involvement and that is my Plan C.

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    As far as what I learned from my fellow group members, we each took a dramatically different spin on this issue, coming at it from our uniquely individual perspectives. This just goes to show there is not a single solution to this complex narrative as it is a problem that needs to be tackled from many fronts. For example, Rosemery tackled this issue moreso from a position of population control in the form of advocating for birth control and women's reproductive health outlets. Her pleas came from a position of asking for education and opportunities for everyone to have access to health care, especially (in her words) in a country that spends the most money per capita on health care. Despite this, we are still not the best health care system in the world. Rosemery asks for reconciliation across the governmental spectrum on reproductive health care.

    A biology major, Melissa looks at sustainability from a position of tailoring our food sources and indulgences towards something that makes sense. She catered to Brown's points that it costs more in resources to harvest red meats than it does for chickens and fishes, and porks/beefs/etc. do not provide as much nutritional value as other sources do. Melissa also brought up the wonderful point that I love to call people out on and that is: everyone says they want to do something about these issues, but who is actually going to change their ways? She brings to question how many of these people will actually cut back on their meat consumption, or how many will venture to the farmers market regularly. Melissa was firm in her belief that we know what is right and what we need to do, but people will not behave accordingly for convenience and selfish reasons.

    I said this before and I'll say it again, I believe Julia had the most unique take on our readings as she is not from the United States and has experience elsewhere with their behaviors. She called out the US and their privilege in terms of resources and abilities to develop change in sharp contrast with many countries who are not as fortunate due to developmental issues or even corruption. She pleaded for an understanding between nations that while we want to change our way, many nations may not be able to due to a variety of reasons. Therefore, there must be respect and acknowledgement of these advantages and disadvantages and a clear line of communication must be kept open between people, parties, countries and the like.

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    Building on Julia's point, her presentation of the Pachamama Alliance Awakening the Dreamer ties in nicely with our discussion. The Pachamama Alliance "advocates for...the rights of nature" and that fits in nicely with what we are addressing. As stewards of the earth, it detrimental to us to constantly take and take and take from the earth without replenishing, managing, balancing or taking care of any sort of responsible relationship. The Pachama Alliance hopes to bring this sort of education to the masses in an easy and approachable way that will last an impact. Judging just from Julia's excellent presentation, is was clear to see that she was touched by what she had experienced and it has clearly made an impact on her. One of the Alliance's prompts is a reflection question asking what she can do as an individual to be better and she decided that as a broke, busy, studying college student, she can lead by example right now. I agree with her in that wholeheartedly. If what I learn in the classroom can be put into my actions in the form of cutting back on red meat or visiting the farmers market more often or sharing what I'm learning in my environmental classes regarding sustainability just with my parents, I think that's a start. Of course I'd love for everyone to participate in the Pachamama Alliance, but just as the food scarcity issue, I have to pick a starting point and I'm going to start with leading by example.