Lierre Keith delves into the destructive impact of commercial agriculture on the environment, emphasizing the critical role of perennial plants in maintaining soil health. By clearing land for annual crops, civilizations have historically depleted soil and transformed once-rich ecosystems into barren landscapes, as evidenced by regions like Iraq, which were once dense forests. Keith challenges the narrative that agriculture alleviated hunger, arguing that it actually institutionalized it by relying on limited crops and leading to famines. Agricultural societies, she asserts, have consistently collapsed due to unsustainable practices, resulting in warfare, slavery, and class stratification.
Keith highlights the inherent militarization and imperialism tied to agricultural civilizations, where surplus production necessitated conquest to sustain growing populations. This expansionist cycle, coupled with soil degradation, led to a cascade of ecological and social crises, including habitat destruction, genocide, and entrenched hierarchies. Moreover, she contends that agriculture, not fossil fuels, initiated global warming by depleting soil carbon and altering natural carbon cycles. Keith calls for a paradigm shift towards restoring ecosystems and relearning to live in harmony with nature, drawing on humanity’s hunter-gatherer past as a sustainable model.
The talk underscores the urgency of addressing the root causes of environmental degradation, challenging prevailing notions of food sustainability and agricultural practices. Keith argues against the feasibility of sustaining the current population solely through agriculture, citing its inherent limitations and finite resources. She warns against the misconception that technological advancements can indefinitely support large-scale agriculture, advocating instead for a return to regenerative practices that prioritize soil health and biodiversity.
In conclusion, Keith asserts that agriculture, as currently practiced, is a “war against the living world,” perpetuating a cycle of environmental destruction and societal collapse. She calls for a radical reevaluation of our food systems and lifestyles, urging individuals to support grass-based farming and embrace a more ecologically harmonious way of life. By acknowledging the limitations of industrial agriculture and embracing regenerative practices, she contends that humanity can work towards a more sustainable and equitable future.