Balancing on a planet : the future of food and agriculture / David A. Cleveland.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cleveland, David Arthur.

Series:

California studies in food and culture ; 46.

California Studies in Food and Culture ; 46

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Food industry and trade.

Agricultural industries--Environmental aspects.

Agricultural industries.

Sustainable agriculture--Economic aspects.

Sustainable agriculture.

Food supply.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (349 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley, California ; Los Angeles, California ; London, England : University of California Press, 2014.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book is an interdisciplinary primer on critical thinking and effective action for the future of our global agrifood system, based on an understanding of the system's biological and sociocultural roots. Key components of the book are a thorough analysis of the assumptions underlying different perspectives on problems related to food and agriculture around the world and a discussion of alternative solutions. David Cleveland argues that combining selected aspects of small-scale traditional agriculture with modern scientific agriculture can help balance our biological need for food with its environmental impact-and continue to fulfill cultural, social, and psychological needs related to food. Balancing on a Planet is based on Cleveland's research and engaging teaching about food and agriculture for more than three decades. It is a tool to help students, faculty, researchers, and interested readers understand debates about the current crisis and alternatives for the future.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

List of Illustrations

List of Tables

Preface: A Personal History

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Eating Stardust: Population, Food, and Agriculture on Planet Earth

2. Agricultural Revolutions

3. Thinking Critically about Sustainable Agrifood Systems

4. Sustainable Agrifood Systems: Three Emphases

5. Managing Evolution: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

6. Managing Agricultural Ecosystems: The Critical Role of Diversity

7. Managing People: The Common Property Option

8. The Big Solutions: Climate Change, Resource Cycles, and Diet

9. The Big Solutions: Localizing Agrifood Systems

Appendix 1. Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Symbols

Appendix 2. Metric Units and Metric-English Unit Conversions

Notes

References

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780520277427

0520277422

9780520957084

0520957083

OCLC:

865508518