The Green Deserts of Western Civilization

[Ladyhawke1]

The Green Deserts of Western Civilization
- by Masanobu Fukuoka

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/07/20-1

The following commentary is adapted from the posthumously published Sowing Seeds in the Desert by Masanobu Fukuoka (Chelsea Green, 2012). Fukuoka was the author of the international bestseller One-Straw Revolution. He died in 2008. Given the recent news about the extended drought facing much of the United States, we thought our readers might want to read Mr. Fukuokas deep insight into how Western agricultural practices have helped to create vast deserts across the planet, while on the surface appearing very green. In fact, Mr. Fukuoka notes, below the grassy surface, soils are being depleted and drained becoming deserts under our feet. As you read this, keep in mind that Sowing Seeds in the Desert first appeared in print in Japanese in the mid-1990s.

 

[ducks4you]

This is just another scary article. All shock theater and no problem solving.
Read
http://www.amazon.com/Dirt-Civilizations-David-R-Montgomery/dp/0520248708
which identifies this problem in great depth, and the author offers credible and usable solutions, especially to those of us here who are eating from our backyard gardens.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

I guess you did not read the article then. ???????

 

[The Mama Chicken]

I did read the article and I'd like to point out that the southern half of California has always been mostly desert. It's only irrigation that made it so green. As soon as the water stops flowing everything dies. The incredible fertile Imperial Valley is a desert, they only manage to grow as many crops there because they pump in water from the Colorado river. Unless you're on the coast or in the mountains the best you can hope for without irrigation is the native sagebrush. Having lived there for 25 years I watched, not just the lawns, but the entire landscape turn brown whenever it wasn't an El Nino year.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

Ah...water, another looming problem in the immediate future. Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Being a former Californian, I see you understand the issue really well.

Water will be another matter for not only this country but also the world. It is predicted that the next big wars will be over water. This is already happening in Israel.

In my city, they are ignoring the realities by sending city people out to tell people to water their lawns or else. I told them I wanted to plant a vegetable garden out front and I was told that that would be too hard and not doable. Just who in the heck made that determination about my talents? Humph! I have all kinds of great plans, I just lack resources as in $$$$$$. Just think of the water saving and a resource that could feed people. What a better use of this land.

 

[The Mama Chicken]

I absolutely agree that having enough fresh, clean water is going to be a real problem soon. I have watched several documentaries on just that topic recently. I'm not sure if you've ever visited this website, but it's got a LOT of great documentaries you might be interested in. One of my favorites is Prophets of Doom with Michael Rupert, it's in the environment section.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

I absolutely agree that having enough fresh, clean water is going to be a real problem soon. I have watched several documentaries on just that topic recently. I'm not sure if you've ever visited this website, but it's got a LOT of great documentaries you might be interested in. One of my favorites is Prophets of Doom with Michael Rupert, it's in the environment section.

Ok, Mama Chicken.

Hey, Mama Chicken can you answer me a question? :/ Why do the chickens always stand banging at the backdoor wanting in when all the good stuff to eat is outside???? I keep telling them, Go-a-way! I am busy!

 

[The Mama Chicken]

The same reason the ducks follow me to the garden...I might give them something yummy. My chickens actually knock on the front door since I stopped answering the back door where they used to come begging. We'll be sitting there watching a movie and hear a tap-tap-tap, like a timid person knocking, and I have to explain to hubby (again) that it's just the chickens looking for treats.
Actually, sometimes I think they just want me to come out and look for bugs to toss them.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

Ok....you gave me the clue. Now I understand why I have to stop singing and dancing around the living room to the music of the Four Seasons...." Big Girl don't cry!" :rose

 

[The Mama Chicken]

Ok....you gave me the clue. Now I understand why I have to stop singing and dancing around the living room to the music of the Four Seasons...." Big Girl don't cry!" :rose

I was dancing and singing to Queen the other day. "Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round" Oh, the irony... Luckily, hubby likes my bottom just the way it is.