Place-Based Food and Farming Systems: Reconnecting People with Purpose and Place

First paragraphs: We are living through a time of fundamental change in human society, as is becoming increasingly clear. Climate change, fossil energy depletion, loss of biodiversity, and growing social and economic equity all threaten the future of human civilization. Only the most adamant deniers fail to accept the necessity for change. The primary point of contention seems to be whether the cur­rent global challenges can be met by transitioning to a new phase of economic development or instead will require a fundamental transformation to a new era of human development. Defenders of economic growth as the primary indicator of progress tend to place their faith in future technological developments that will be motivated by economic incentives. As the chal­lenges of climate change and fossil energy deple­tion grow more critical and are better understood, economic incentives for the development of tech­nologies to mitigate the negative impacts on society will increase. Market economies respond to scar­city. As clean air and clean energy become scarcer, they become more economically valuable. Greater economic incentives will provide motivation for new technologies to mitigate climate change and develop substitutes for fossil energy. Whenever public policies are deemed necessary, “market-based” solutions are favored over government regulations and restraints. . . . See the press release for this article.