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Could we grow food for 6 billion people with unlimited electricity?

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by burritos, Sep 15, 2008.

  1. burritos

    burritos Senior Member

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    Our existence is solely based on fossil fuel which powers, transports, and fertilizes modern day agriculture. When we head into the down slope of peak oil and inevitably transition into renewable/alternative energy it will be the likes of solar, wind, nuclear, geothermal, and wave. The energy produced will be electricity which will can run our households, and potentially power transportation. However, how do we get food from electricity? I suppose we can desalinate sea water and pump it to product arable lands, but can we create fertilizers and other necessary chemicals that drive our world today?
     
    #1 burritos, Sep 15, 2008
  2. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    I think your assumption that fertilizers and other chemicals are critical for 'driving the world'.
    That being said, yes, I believe we will find other ways to make fertilizer other than using oil. However, if we are smart, it won't be an issue. Oil won't simply stop one day, we will simply be able to produce less and less.
    During this time we just have to prioritize. Do we want to drive oil powered vehicles or eat;)
     
    #2 Zythryn, Sep 15, 2008
  3. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    In some ways, we could reduce the need for fertiliser. Instead of growing vast monocultures that require huge amounts of pesticides and growth stimulators, we could rotate crops, plant mutually beneficial crops together, and use more manure and compost.
     
    #3 hyo silver, Sep 15, 2008
  4. tripp

    tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it?

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    Algae production for liquid fuels can then be used as fertilizer so there are some good alternatives. Getting rid of subsides for things like corn would also help tremendously.
     
    #4 tripp, Sep 15, 2008
  5. Dave_PH

    Dave_PH New Member

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    #5 Dave_PH, Sep 15, 2008
  6. etyler88

    etyler88 etyler88

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    ... is on Tuesdays.
     
    #6 etyler88, Sep 15, 2008
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