Environmental Education

America's Crises in Energy LandWaterAgriculture Spells out Substantial Tribal Wealth

America's Crises in Energy LandWaterAgriculture Spells out Substantial Tribal Wealth Development

By

Terrance H. Booth, Sr. – Tsimshian Tribe

HIGHLIGHTS OF "FOOD, LAND, POPULATION, AND THE U.S. ECONOMY"

The following two pages are highlights of the study, "Food, Land, Population, and the U.S. Economy" by Drs. David Pimentel of Cornell University and Mario Giampietro of the Istituto Nazionale della Nutrizione, Rome. This comprehensive assessment of U.S. population growth and its impact on America's agricultural productivity was commissioned by Carrying Capacity Network (CCN), a non-profit organization in Washington, DC which focuses on the interrelated nature of the economy, population growth, and environmental degradation.

KEY FINDINGS

"At the present growth rate of 1.1% per year, the U.S. population will double to more than half a billion people within the next 60 years. It is estimated that approximately one acre of land is lost due to urbanization and highway construction alone for every person added to the U.S. population.

This means that only 0.6 acres of farmland would be available to grow food for each American in 2050, as opposed to the 1.8 acres per capita available today. At least 1.2 acres per person is required in order to maintain current American dietary standards. Food prices are projected to increase 3 to 5-fold within this period.

If present population growth, domestic food consumption and topsoil loss trends continue, the U.S. will most likely cease to be a food exporter by approximately 2025 because food grown in the U.S. will be needed for domestic purposes.

Since food exports earn $40 billion for the U.S. annually, the loss of this income source would result in an even greater increase in America's trade deficit.

Considering that America is the world's largest food exporter, the future survival of millions of people around the world may also come into question if food exports from the U.S. were to cease." (http://dieoff.org/page40.htm) by David Pimentel of Cornell University and Mario Giampietro Istituto of Nazionale della Nutrizione, Rome

Indicates that the rate of America's population growth rate is a 1.1% per year and will double to more than half a billion people within the next 60 years.  In greater Phoenix, Arizona area we see the disappearance of orange and other citrus groves, dairy farms, and farm land.  In its place housing development at a rapid rate especially near Native American reservation settings within an urban settings.  In some cases, cities and towns buffering right up to the borders of reservation settings.  From 1990 to 2000 all of Arizona nearly doubled in size and most likely with the new 2010 US Census report it will be more than doubled. 

In an article in Yale University's Environment 360, Jonathan Foley, Director of the Institute of the Environment, University of Minnesota, argues that the global community now faces a "crisis in land use and agriculture that could undermine the health, security, and sustainability of our civilization." While climate change has received enormous attention (rightfully, Foley argues), human population growth, and the corresponding rising global demand for meat and dairy products, as well as the growing need for bioenergy from corn, sugarcane, and other sources should be equal cause for concern. "We are putting tremendous pressure on the world's resources." With 70 million new people per year, Foley argues, "if we want any hope of keeping up with these demands, we'll need to double, perhaps triple, the agricultural production of the planet in the next 30 to 40 years."  (http://dirt.asla.org/2009/11/09/the-effects-of-population-growth-on-land-use/)

The Other Inconvenient Truth:

The Crisis in Global Land Use

"As the international community focuses on climate change as the great challenge of our era, it is ignoring another looming problem — the global crisis in land use. With agricultural practices already causing massive ecological impact, the world must now find new ways to feed its burgeoning population and launch a "Greener" Revolution."  By Jonathan Foley (http://e360.yale.edu/content/feature.msp?id=2196)

With the population growth it not only has demands upon land but water and energy are impacted as well. "Water is critical for all crops which require and transpire massive amounts of water during the growing season. For example, a hectare of corn will transpire more than 5 million liters of water during one growing season. This means that more than 8 million liters of water per hectare must reach the crop. In total, agricultural production consumes more fresh water than any other human activity. Specifically, about 87 per cent of the world's fresh water is consumed or used up by agriculture and, thus, is not recoverable"   (Pimentel et al., 1996).  IMPACT OF POPULATION GROWTH ON FOOD SUPPLIES AND ENVIRONMENT by David Pimentel, Xuewen Huang, Ana Cordova, and Marcia Pimentel

Agriculture and biodiversity: challenges and opportunities for agribusiness

"Agriculture is one of the key motors of the global economy. It is a source of foods, fibers and, increasingly, fuel. It provides livelihoods and subsistence for the largest number of people worldwide. It is vital to rural development and therefore critical to poverty alleviation. Cultivated land, including arable lands and shifting cultivation, covers approximately 24% of the world's land area. Partly or fully irrigated agriculture claims 70% of the world's developed fresh water supplies. Today, agriculture accounts for over 38% of global employment." By Annik Dollacker, Ecosystems Focus Area, World Business Council for Sustainable Development  and Juan Gonzalez-Valero Ecosystems Focus Area, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (http://www.cbd.int/doc/newsletters/news-biz-2008-02/?articleid=8)

Mario Giampietro and David Pimentel postulate that a sustainable food system is possible only if four conditions are met:

1.   Environmentally sound agricultural technologies must be implemented.

2.   Renewable energy technologies must be put into place.

3.  Major increases in energy efficiency must reduce exosomatic energy consumption per capita.

4.   Population size and consumption must be compatible with maintaining the stability of environmental processes. (THE TIGHTENING CONFLICT: POPULATION, ENERGY USE, AND THE ECOLOGY OF AGRICULTURE by Mario Giampietro and David Pimentel (1994))

As Native American agriculture experts can readily see that for agriculture there is growth potential due to overtaxing of existing farming lands in America.  Tribes have access to land, water and energy need to bring about a sustainable and profitable and innovative tribal agriculture businesses.  The crisis of America can well turn into substantial tribal wealth development for tribes having land, water and energy resources that America needs.  In several areas across America one can readily see the population growth in several cities and town.  Tribes located near large urban settings cities and towns are buffering right up to tribal boundaries.  Instead of seeing this as hindrances tribes should see this as opportunities for population growth need land, water energy and food.

There are outstanding Native American Agriculture tribal farming businesses already in existence; such as, Oneida Community Integrated Food Systems: "The OCIFS members are here as a team to help families by housing a community food system that will include traditional food products and help create a local economy that will provide jobs, and promote and encourage long term solutions to farm and nutrition issues in Oneida."  (http://www.farmfresheastwi.org/Sponsors.aspx) Not only serves their own tribal people but impacts the whole state of Wisconsin.

Another outstanding tribal farming business is: MFSI Mission Statement

Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative works to enable the Mvskoke people and their neighbors to provide for their food and health needs now and in the future through sustainable agriculture, economic development, community involvement, cultural and educational programs.

Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative (MFSI) is a grassroots, Native American led organization located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, capitol of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.  The Mvskoke people were indigenous to what is now the Southeast United States and are an American Indian federally recognized tribe.  Mvskoke food heritage and traditions goes back in time long before the Trail of Tears forced them to Oklahoma. For centuries the Mvskoke maintained a successful agriculture based culture that sustained large populations living in towns along the rivers and creeks (so European settlers called them "Creek Indians").  These were the "mound builders" who developed a sophisticated civilization, taking care of the food, spiritual and political needs of their people.  

Today these cultures still exist as the Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Cherokee and Yuchi tribes.  The respective languages are still used by many and the ceremonial dances, songs and practices are still carried on.  Growing, preserving and using traditional foods plays an important role in cultural activities.  MFSI seeks to preserve the food heritage and traditions of these Indigenous peoples through hands-on classes, educational programs, intergenerational sharing and sustainable agriculture practices. (http://www.mvskokefood.org/about-mfsi.html)

For Native American Agriculture there is much dialogue happening, conferences and workshops; in May of this year: "The summit will serve as a means for Indian tribes and individuals to come together, discuss items of common interest, become familiar with risk management strategies, and learn about existing USDA programming focused on specific changes that have made these USDA programs more attractive," said Randy Emm, Indian reservation program coordinator for Cooperative Extension.

(http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/article/20100501/NEWS/100509993)

 There are several Native Americans in agriculture this writing only shows tribes are participating.

Resources:

1. The Indian Nations Conservation Alliance

INCA Mission

"Assist all US Tribal Nations/Alaska Villages to establish, maintain and /or strengthen Tribal Conservation Districts to protect the air, land, water, cultural and natural resources, and Mother Earth for future generations.  And assist Tribal conservation districts in helping Tribal Businesses and Tribal members to improve economic opportunities and to own and operate farms and ranches.

 We strive to assist all US Tribal Nations/Alaskan Natives in establishing, maintaining, and/or strengthening Tribal Conservation Districts to protect the air, land, water, cultural & natural resources, and Mother Earth for future generations. This Alliance in no way affects Indian Nations Sovereignty."(http://www.inca-tcd.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=62)

2. Guide to USDA for American Indians and Alaska Natives

 (http://www.usda.gov/news/pubs/indians/open.htm 

3. Traditional Native American Farmers' Association (http://nativeharvest.com/tnafa)

4.  Farm to Cafeteria Initiatives: Connections with the Tribal Food

(http://departments.oxy.edu/uepi/publications/foodsovereignty.pdf)

 5.   Intertribal Agricultural Council  (http://www.indianaglink.com/index.html)

6.  National Tribal Development Association (NTDA) (http://www.ntda.info/)

8.  Several other Funding Sources

About the Author

Roundtable on cotton & sustainable water use - David Zilberman, Ed Barnes, and Greg Palla