Solutions Big and Small

by Andrea Millar — May 7, 2008

So, right now we know that the current trinity of biofuels, food, and gas have jarred many out of semi-blissful ignorance of the planet's health. Outraged about paying more for...well, almost everything? Chances are good those prices are headed one way and one way only (one guess here as to which way that is). What can you do about it? Take responsibility to the extent that you're able--with the knowledge that what you practice now as a matter of being "green" may soon be the mandated lifestyle of billions.

Many of the current reports are much more doomsday than direction. If world populations continue log rhythmically, we'll be up to 9 billion within the next 50 years, no problem. Food prices are gonna be an issue again, I can guarantee you that! However, if population controls are instituted, we may see a falling off of this trend. China already does it in one form by charging more for each child produced beyond one per couple. Currently in many "developed" nations, the birthrate is going down, apparently due to increased access to fertility education (this tends to go hand in hand with women's rights) and increased economic stability. Thus, a commitment to producing fewer people might be a global economic overhaul.

The next solution is to understand that the creation of new fuels is a learning process, with some extreme awkward phases. What's not working right now? Corn-based ethanol. However, ethanol produced from sugar cane has been a tentative success in places like Brazil, even if we're less than thrilled with the massive CO2 releasing burns associated with it. Algae is showing a lot of promise, in part simply because it's not an edible. And, if you've ever had to keep it out of your pool, you know how easily it grows. There's also car-safe oil produced form switchgrass, and the equally rugged camelina, currently popular in Montana for its drought tolerance.

Another possible solution: the agricultural market will experience a serious, and long-needed, overhaul from top to bottom. A recent report by the UN-sponsored International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology calls for a complete overhaul of current production and trade processes. Although that's an exciting thought (can we please see farmers get the wages that they deserve for ensuring the survival of billions?), NPR recently had a story about how current prices of staples are attracting farmers back into the food industry, away from biofuels, even as governments continue to invest in them. Perhaps that will ameliorate woes in until the day of revolution comes.

Finally, this is a great time to let go of fossil fuels for good, or as near as you can manage. Keep in mind simple steps like buying in bulk, which reduces fuel use in transportation and packaging costs. Store things in reusable glass bottles; try a juice jar before you go out and buy anything. Keep that bike handy, and take a couple hours to get yourself off of junk mail lists one weekend. If you need something, buy it secondhand before consuming something new to save on production and transportation. And finally, have group meals when possible; they use food more effectively, and you'll be ready with your dinner party when the government announces that it's illegal to pour yourself your usual bowl of Corn Pops for dinner.