Climate change is already affecting the lives of the world's most vulnerable people, but a world renowned environmentalist has stepped onto the podium and offers a bold vision for a sustainable future for the world's food producers and consumers .
In Soil Not Oil, Indian scientist, agricultural activist and bestselling author, Dr Vandana Shiva, connects the food crisis, peak oil, and climate change to show that a world beyond a dependence on fossil fuel and globalization is both possible and necessary. Shiva presents the argument that these three crises are inherently linked and that any attempt to solve one without addressing the others will get us nowhere.
Condemning industrial agriculture and industrial biofuels as recipes for ecological and economic disaster, Shiva’s champion is the small, independent farm. What we need most in a time of changing climates and millions hungry, she argues, are sustainable, biologically diverse farms that are more resistant to disease, drought, and flood.
Calling for a return to local economies and small-scale food production Shiva outlines our remaining options: a market-centred short-term escape for the privileged, which will deepen the crisis for the poor and marginalized, or a people-centred fossil-fuel-free future, which will offer a decent living for all.
Contents
Introduction: Triple Crisis, Triple Opportunity
Chapter 1. Politics of Climate Change
Chapter 2. Sacred Cow vs. Sacred Car
Chapter 3. Food For People or For Cars
Chapter 4. Soil Not Oil
Conclusion: Unleashing Shakti: Our Power to Transform
About the Author
Vandana Shiva is a world-renowned Indian scientist, environmentalist, agricultural activist and Time – magazine designated “Hero for the Planet,” Dr. Vandana Shiva offers energetic and insightful solutions for solving the global problems of climate change and food insecurity through the localization of food production.
Dr Shiva was named by AsiaWeek as one of the top five most important people in Asia. She is a founding board member of the International Forum on Globalization and the founder of Navdanya International, a science and policy research center based in India.
Ms Magazine described the author thus: "Shiva has devoted her life to fighting for the rights of ordinary people in India. Her fierce intellect and her disarmingly friendly, accessible manner have made her a valuable advocate for people all over the developing world."
Her many books include: Staying Alive; Ecofeminism and Protect or Plunder and she has authored over 300 journal and scientific papers. Shiva has served as an adviser to governments in India and abroad as well as non governmental organisations, including the Women's Environment & Development Organization and the Third World Network. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Alternative Nobel Peace Prize (1993). Before becoming an activist, Shiva was one of India ’s leading physicists. She holds a master’s degree in the philosophy of science and a Ph.D. in particle physics.
Posted by Environment Times online on 23rd January 2009.
