As it is, productive, fertile land for farming is a finite resource; this has been an effect of overproduction of crops, increased urbanization, as well as natural disasters and extreme weather. Soil crucial in order to support animals and plants, and to produce food for the ever-increasing population. This article states that an “estimated 2 to 5 million hectares of arable land are lost every year to soil erosion”, this figure is astounding, at this rapid rate of depletion, there will eventually be insufficient soil to produce food for our population. Scientist “estimate a 30 % reduction in food production due to degradation of agricultural land by 2040”, further proving that steps need to be taken to protect our land.
This article supports the claim made by Jared Diamond that the adoption of agricultural advances has been the worst mistake in our history. The rapid growth of the human population is leading to a depletion of resources that can’t be continued; the agricultural system used today is not sustainable, and has to be changed. Humans are placing too much demand on the environment, and there must be an increased focus on conserving the precious, finite resources that we require to survive.
Rickson, J. (2015, August 5). Conserving soil: Precious, finite and under threat. Retrieved
August 23, 2015, from
http://www.theecologist.org/blogs_and_comments/Blogs/2961577/conserving_soil_precious_finite_and_under_threat.html
I like that this article was linked to and supports Jared Diamond’s writing about the agricultural mistake. From the data presented, it certainly seems as though the human race would be better off as hunter gatherers.
Thanks for the Comment Diana! It is beginning to look like Jared Diamond’s hypothesis was right; adopting agriculture has been a devastating mistake. At this rate, there is no way that we will be able to sustain the ever-growing human population, and It is a really scary thought!
The problem of overpopulation is one that will be very hard to deal with, because something clearly needs to be done, and there are really optimal options for how to go about managing our astronomical population and its rapid growth. When we inevitably reach the point where we can no longer sustain our population in terms of food, it will already be too late. An important first step in the right direction is dealing with soil erosion, for we cannot produce more food for our growing population if we do not even have enough soil.