Food Production and the Energy Crisis

• DOI: 10.1126/science.182.4111.443
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T14:05:45Z
• Authors: David Pimentel; L. E. Hurd; A. C. Bellotti; M. J. Forster; I. N. Oka; O. D. Sholes; R. J. Whitman
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; 13. Climate action; 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; 02 engineering and technology; 7. Clean energy

The principal raw material of modern U.S. agriculture is fossil fuel, whereas the labor input relatively small (about 9 hours per crop acre). As dependent upon energy, production costs will also soar when fuel increase two- to fivefold. A return 2.8 kcal corn 1 may then be uneconomical. Green revolution uses high energy technology, especially with respect fertilizers and pesticides. While one not doubt sincerity effort share its agricultural technology so that rest world can live eat as it does, must realistic about resources available accomplish this mission. In United States we are currently using an equivalent 80 gallons gasoline produce acre corn. With shortages prices come, wonder if many developing nations able afford agriculture. Problems have already occurred green crops, particularly problems related pests (57). More critical expected there a crisis. careful assessment should made benefits, costs, risks energy-demand in order certain program aggravate serious food situation (58). To reduce inputs, might employ such alternatives rotations manures demand chemical expenditures by substituting some manpower displaced mechanization. no knows for what changes made, sure conventional become scarce expensive, impact on industry way life significant. This analysis but preliminary investigation significant problem deserves attention greater study before becomes more critical.