Earlier this month, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has asked the help of farmers and agricultural interests to come up with a single definition of sustainability. This is to avoid confusion with the different terms used in food and production methods. The word "sustainable" has become meaningless to consumers and the public. However, rather than come up with a universal definition, some suggested to change the word entirely to regenerative.
As reported in Truth Out, the word "sustainable" has been overused, misused and shamelessly used by corporations for the purpose to appear environmentally responsible. To go away with this, it was suggested to divide global food and farming into two categories; regenerative and degenerative. This is to help consumers make conscious and informed decisions.
Consumers may now have an option to choose food produced by degenerative, toxic chemical-intensive, monoculture-based industrial agriculture systems that destabilize the climate degrade the soil, water biodiversity, health and local economies.
Or they could choose food produced using organic regenerative practices based on sound ecological principles that rejuvenate the soil, grasslands and forests, replenish water, promote food sovereignty and restore public and health prosperity. All the while cooling the planet by drawing billions of tons of excess carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil where it should belong.
Sustainable is about maintaining systems without degrading them; keeping things much the same without progress. A sustainability label may mean the production methods behind a product may inflict less damage on the environment but it doesn't mean the product will cause less damage to human health. A handful of scientific studies link various health issues with approved pesticides and chemicals.
Meanwhile, regenerative organic agriculture improves the resources it uses, rather than destroying or depleting them. It is a holistic systems approach to agriculture that encourages continual on-farm innovation for environmental, social, economic and spiritual well-being as defined by Rodale Institute. It takes advantage of the natural tendencies of ecosystems to regenerate when disturbed. In that primary sense it is distinguished from other types of agriculture that either oppose or ignore the value of those natural tendencies.
An increasing number of farmers are now growing food and raising animals using organic and regenerative farming. They are starting an approach that improves our health and at the same time cools the planet, feed the world, heal the soil, foster food sovereignty and strengthen communities.
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