Energy Use Efficiency in the American South
Focusing on sustainable agriculture, this book offers practical tools and practices derived from lessons learned in the Southeastern USA, applicable globally. It emphasizes real-world applications through numerous case studies and examples, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of effective strategies for sustainable farming.
Modern industrial agriculture is not sustainable because of its heavy reliance on petroleum, a non-renewable source of the energy used in farming, and because of pollution caused by petroleum products such as fertilizers and pesticides. A systems analysis of farming suggests that agriculture will be more sustainable when services of nature, such as nutrient recycling by soil micro-organisms and natural controls of insects, replace the services now provided by energy from petroleum. Examples are drawn from the Southeastern USA, but lessons learned can be applied worldwide.
The book explores strategies for sustainable forestry in tropical regions, focusing on alleviating pressure on remaining forests and enhancing regeneration. It emphasizes the importance of developing productive alternatives that appeal to local communities, while also highlighting the need for supportive policies to promote and sustain forestry activities at both local and regional levels.