A Rant On WHY Our Food System Is Doomed: The Disturbing Facts

Our current dominant food system is in shambles. We’ve recognized this issue for an extended period, but those in power have merely kicked the can down the road, hoping for the best. However, we’ve reached a point where we can no longer ignore the glaring flaws in the dominant food system. It’s broken, and here’s WHY!

Artificial Fertility.

The most commonly used synthetic fertilizer in the market contains NPK — nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The production of this fertilizer begins with extracting nitrogen from the air, a highly energy-intensive process. To put it in perspective, producing just one kilogram of nitrogen demands approximately 20 kWh, equivalent to heating a five-bedroom house for an entire day.

But that’s not all; the production process requires hydrogen, and where do they source it? Fossil fuels. Have you ever wondered why major oil-producing nations are also leading synthetic fertilizer producers? They have the resources to squander vast amounts of energy and an abundance of hydrogen from fossil fuels.

To put it in perspective, producing just one kilogram of nitrogen demands approximately 20 kWh, equivalent to heating a five-bedroom house for an entire day.

To add insult to injury, phosphorus and potassium, essential components of these synthetic fertilizers, are derived from non-renewable sources that are rapidly depleting. Given the high energy intensity of synthetic fertilizers, their prices are inextricably linked to energy prices (coal, crude oil, and natural gas), resulting in ever-increasing costs.

Yet, shockingly, agricultural production isn’t keeping pace with these rising prices. Why? Because these very synthetic fertilizers are poisoning our soil.

Poison Control

And what about synthetic pesticides and herbicides? Have you ever considered their origins and the catastrophic consequences they bring? The bitter truth is that they are born from War. The ultimate goal of war is the extermination of life, and regrettably, that’s precisely what these chemicals are doing to our planet right now.

Their devastating impact in places like Vietnam remains evident to this day. Those who once assured us that DDT and glyphosate were safe are now the same ones claiming that current pesticides and herbicides pose no threat. Sadly, we know the truth.

These chemicals cause cancer and disrupt our immune systems. They annihilate vital microorganisms in the soil, destroy plant biodiversity, and harm bees, birds, and even fellow humans. A staggering 200,000 lives are lost globally each year, with the highest toll borne by third-world countries.

Greater Inefficiency

But what about efficiency? It’s the most efficient system we’ve got. We can afford to overlook those downsides to help us feed the dying kids in Africa! — Bill Gates probably. Right? Wrong. In reality, it’s incredibly inefficient. Up to 70% of applied synthetic fertilizers are lost, and an astonishing 90% of synthetic pesticides and herbicides unintentionally kill non-target organisms. It’s a massacre.

And there’s more to the story. The quality of produce from this system is abysmal. Your average vegetables have lost up to 80% of the nutrients they had half a century ago. Macro and micronutrients have vanished from our food, resulting in the proliferation of synthetic vitamins on store shelves.

A staggering 200,000 lives are lost globally each year, with the highest toll borne by third-world countries.

The worst part? This system is overly centralized. When a crisis strikes anywhere in the world, the entire system grinds to a halt. It leaves other regions feeling powerless when, in fact, they can produce their own inputs and grow their own food.

There’s no reason for someone in Kenya, Cuba, or the Philippines to panic when the global input system falters; they should be self-reliant.

There is Hope.

But there’s hope. There exists a band of rebels who’ve been challenging this flawed system for years: Organic Farmers. They are the torchbearers of change, fighting for a better, sustainable future.

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Sincerely, The Organic Guy.

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