It’s a wonderful thing that living production systems provide a solution to so many of our modern woes – climate change, pollution, dwindling resources, species extinction, feeding a growing population and well-being to name a few.
Essential functions carried out by the vast array of living organisms (organisers) we share this planet with underpin our very existence and wellbeing.
Plants and algae harvest the energy (from sunlight) that drives all life and, along with microbes, acquire the elements (from air, water, and minerals) that living matter is made up of. Now biologically available, this energy and matter is further shared and cycled up the food chain by animals, including humans. They literally manufacture our food from the environment.
Together they work with dirt, where minerals, biology and the organic compounds produced are combined to form functional, fertile soil that lets in air and releases gas, absorbs and holds water, stores nutrients and resists erosion . With stable cycled fertility there is less need to mine, manufacture, import and use fertilisers and environmental pollution caused by nutrient loss is all but eliminated.
In the process of all this air, water and nutrient cycles are regulated, maintaining a balance that determines the hospitability of our living planet.
In good soil we can grow nutritious food that promotes better health and vitality, reducing the need for medical treatment. Eating more locally grown produce means less consumption of food that was packaged, stored and transported with fossil fuels. All this leads to less waste and less energy spent dealing with our waste.
By working with and providing habitat for lots of biodiversity we are looking after the very species we rely on in the web of life.
Unlike mono-cultural or industrial farms, living production systems are beautiful places to be in. They appeal to our very nature.