Smart or Wise

SMART OR WISE
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If you are familiar with the concept of feed lots in the US and are reading this, you are probably not a fan of them. Intensive beef production comes to mind but these CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) are also used for horses, pigs, chickens etc. The Green Revolution in the 1960s dramatically increased food production and was a game changer in terms of food prices, availability, and population growth. After the war years this was no doubt a wonderful plan. The benefit of hindsight though can make us ask the question was it such a good idea to intensify?
 
Has the collateral damage to our health, the soil health, biodiversity etc been too high a price to pay? We are scrambling to recover our collective immune systems every way we know how while we deal with the damage on a day-to-day basis. On a piecemeal basis we are recognising that a more natural, traditional, and respectful approach to nature and biodiversity is yielding quality results. A return to real foods is healing individuals from chronic conditions, a return to nourishing the soil with natures appropriate food instead of chemicals is breathing new life into farms. An appreciation for organic farming and produce is growing. The race is on to recover both physically and mentally. Can we learn from the mistakes? What wisdom can we glean from the process?
 
With the Fourth Industrial Revolution underway are we going to repeat the process again?
 
Smart cities where the population are encouraged to live in concentrated spaces does seem like a great idea. For now.
 
Anne Maher
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