September 28, 2008 by greengard
One
reaction on the climate discussion is that the conclusions of IPCC are wrong.
The temperature increase we experience is not caused by human activities and ,
consequently, we do not need to take actions. The experts do not agree. Just
wait and see. In media many express the view that what we see are natural
climate variations.
And it may
be so. IPCC gives the probability 90% for human causes, not 100%. But is
not 90 enough?
We know for
sure that we have released huge amounts of carbon dioxide from fossil sources.
And we also know that carbon dioxide is an active greenhouse gas.
Further,
carbon dioxide might have other effects. In Science Magazine 4 July 2008
there is a report about acidification of the oceans by carbon dioxide (Zeebe et
al : Carbon emissions and acidification). This can have important consequences
on the ecology of the planet. So – regardless of the climate issue carbon
dioxide emissions might give serious effects.
It is
important to disturb our natural systems as little as possible. We do not know
the consequences. This is not reason enough for radical measures, such as to
reduce industrialization of developing countries or scrap the air traffic, but
certainly it is a good motivation not to misuse or waste resources or ecosystem
capacity
September 28, 2008 by greengard
We humans
have too large influence, the pressure on land and natural systems is
increasing. Yet we have to increase the production.
There are
different ways to react on these facts.
My main
point is: we must both live (consume) and produce smarter. It is not necessary
to sacrifice much, if anything, at least in the first step.
Agriculture
is the main topic of this blog. Swedish agriculture is functioning fairly well,
but there is scope for further improvements.
September 28, 2008 by greengard
Who am I?
Göte Bertilsson, agronomist (Sweden). I have worked with plant nutrition, soil
fertility, environment, recycling etc for 40 years. Retired. But not tired.
Why this
blog?
Not only
environmentalists but important organizations of the world discuss the
necessity of better “ecological efficiency”, less ecological disturbance per
unit of production. OECD used the term “decoupling”.
There are
many challenges in the field of global food and environent. Improvements to
discuss. Ecological improvements that also may be economically efficient. It is
important to discuss and inform about these possibilities in a constructive
manner.
This blog
is meant as a small contribution.
There is a parallell blogg in Swedish: Om jordbruk, miljö
och framtid (http://greengard.wordpress.com ). This is an adapted translation.