Balancing on a Planet
The Future of Food and Agriculture
1st Edition
Published on 20. December 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-0-520-27742-7 (ISBN)
Description
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.
Reviews / Votes
"Cleveland's new book is essential reading for all who are interested in change, since understanding how we got into this mess is important for identifying ways to get out of it." -- Charles R. Clement Economic Botany "A welcome addition to the literature on agriculture and food systems and will give to all readers a chance to critically consider the importance of continuously asking questions, examining our empirical and value assumptions, and choosing robust indicators that can accurately reflect our goals for the agrifood system." Agriculture and Human ValuesMore details
Series
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Berkerley
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
12 b-w photographs, 55 line illustrations, 17 tables
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
635 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-520-27742-7 (9780520277427)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
12/2013
1st Edition
University of California Press
€72.50
Shipment within 10-20 days
E-Book
12/2013
1st Edition
University of California Press
€33.99
Available for download
Person
David A. Cleveland is Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a human ecologist whose research and teaching are on small-scale, sustainable agriculture. He has worked with farmers around the world, including in Ghana, Mexico, Zuni, Hopi, Pakistan, and the United States. He is currently researching the potential benefits of agrifood system localization on climate change, nutrition, and food sovereignty.
Content
List of Illustrations List of Tables Preface: A Personal History Acknowledgments Introduction PART I Agrifood Systems History and Future 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 PART II Moving toward Sustainable Agrifood Systems: A Balancing Act 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