Steve argues:
>And once again John you demonstrate that you can make ridiculous
>statements without reading the article and advertise your ignorance on a
>billboard.
Nice of you to remind me that I studied with one of the authors of the
Bellagio Principles whilst taking my Graduate Degree in Environmental
Sciences. I have read more documents on 'sustainable development' than you
have ever even heard about, make that 1.0X10(e99) than you have bothered to
read. Where do you want to begin?
>For example, what about improvements in agricultural products that have
>increased crop yeilds and result in a reduction of farm land?
Why are you asking me if I am only capable of making ridiculous statements?
I prepared an extensive paper on the use of corn to make ethanol. In this
paper I researched everything published on the topic of ag yields re corn &
ethanol production. Pimental has published vast amounts of documented
discussion on soil erosion. We are losing soil so fast now that the combined
fertility of the ag soils in NA is reaching serious depletion, ie., it is
losing soil moisture & nutrient retention capability. In the US for
instance, up to 2 million acres of ag lands are lost each year to
development, erosion, salination, etc.
The improvements in crop yields come with a high cost to water, and aquatic
life. Many of the aquifers in the US midwest are being depleted. Vast areas
of aquifer water is also becoming contaminated by herbicides, insecticides,
nitrogen fertilizer, and there is concern that much public water in the
leaching fields is unhealthy and cannot be economically treated to remove
toxics. There are documented cases of disease in states like Chicago, etc.,
because of the 'leaching' of toxic substances like atrazine for instance.
The problem is being compounded now by the use of 'optimization techniques'
which essentially treat the ag soils as a 'plant supporting medium' which
results in luxury amounts of 'ammoniacal' nitrogen being injected into
soils. This luxurious amount of ammonium volatizes or forms nitrate which
leach through the soil column. This practice results in the volatization of
vast amonts of atmospheric forms of nitrogen that contribute to climate change.
Who is being ridiculous here with their 'rhetorical' ad hominem arguments?
Are the authors of 'The Leaching Fields" fringe kookbergers?
Wouldn't
>that go towards a more sustainable economy?
>
>Steve
>
>=====
>"In a nutshell, he [Steve] is 100% unadulterated evil. I do not believe in a
>'Satan', but this man is as close to 'the real McCoy' as they come."
>--Jamey Lee West
>
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"When an idea is new, it is seen as crazy. This is followed by a period in
which it is viewed as dangerous. After this, there is a period of
uncertainty. In the end, you can't find anyone who disagreed with it in the
first place".
Stephen J. Gould
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