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Food for the future: Conditions and contradictions of sustainability
Book reviews
123
that are found in virtually every chapter of this book demonstrate an important point described by Buttel. Specifically, the sustainability movement may be viewed as a bandwagon of social discontent or an umbrella movement to consolidate the fragmented social movements of the 1960s and 1970s. One may say the sustainability movement is a magnet for discontent in which, to paraphrase Eric Hoffer, the followers are true believers who are ready to hitch a ride on any cause as long as they are on for the ride. I agree with Butte1 that the ‘progressive symbol’ of sustainability (with the isms) is being appropriated by the establishment with the intent of seizing it from dissident or opposition groups who threaten dominant institutions and seek broader social change. Indeed, the ‘scientization of protest’ through sustainability rests upon the threat of global warming and global change as formulated by the environmental movement, the first cousin of the sustainability movement. Therefore, I submit that ‘Food for the Future’ is a statement of the political agenda of the emergent social wing of the sustainability movement. The other chapter that deserves reading and thought is ‘After Midas’s feast: alternative food regimes for the future’ by Harriet Friedmann. Food, as she observes astutely, ‘. . . has always been about power and money.’ She notes that ‘since recorded time, rulers have justified the harshest measures through fears of famine, and with those measures have changed relationships among people and between people and the earth.’ In my view, the social wing of the sustainability movement, as described in this book, is well aware of this strategy and seeks solutions to social problems, confrontations with the status quo, and social reform through the stage and props of sustainability. It further seeks an alliance with science to legitimise their social agenda, for moral appeals are weak and scientists are often for hire. Indeed, the editor states clearly that sustainability has great potential as a transformation tool. It is clear that, as a tool, sustainability is a means to attend to what the editor describes as ‘pressing social problems.’ That which can be politically justified by a political concern for public safety and health (environment and food) is boundless. This book is not a total loss, for it does inform the reader about how the vogue concern for the environment and sustainability is not at all what it appears to be: the truth is in the isms aboard the social bandwagon of sustainability aimed at broader social reform. I found the readings sometimes interesting, sometimes amusing, but never inspiring. One may imagine the consequences of a successful marriage between the natural and social in sustainable agriculture as described in this volume. I am not the first to suspect fascist blood in liberal veins. It is clear from this book
124
Book reviews
that there are those who would, given the political opportunity, dictate diet and nutritional need. Perhaps the day will come when environmentally friendly calories and protein are purchased with FAO coin in circulation throughout the developing world. Thomas P. Thompson
Agricultural Dimensions of Global Climate Change. Edited by Harry M. Kaiser and Thomas E. Drennen. St. Lucie Press Inc., Delray Beach, Florida, USA, 1993.311 pp. Price: US$59.95 (hardcover). ISBN 0 9634030 3 6. This book is the result of a two-day conference held in 1992, which brought a group of experts together to discuss the social and scientific issues concerning agriculture and global climate change. As the editors state in the preface, the primary aim of the book is to give the reader a thorough understanding of the central issues surrounding the complex problem of climate change. It also summarizes the results of some of the studies that have been conducted so far to investigate the impact of climate change on agriculture and to identify areas that need further research. The introduction deals with ‘Agricultural Dimensions of Global Change’ and draws from the entire book by summarizing its highlights. The final section of this introduction discusses recommendations for policy changes in both developed and developing countries, and additional areas for research. The last paragraph provides a challenge to researchers to help bridge the communication gap between the policy and science communities, and recommends the sharing of results of research projects with others outside the research community. The second chapter deals with the climatic issues of global change. It concludes that, based on a detailed analysis of land and marine data, the world has warmed up by 0*5”C since the 19th century. The following chapters discuss the role of general circulation models in global climate change studies and population constraints on world agriculture. Variation in precipitation is currently the dominant factor in causing irregularities in food supply. So far, world food production has kept pace with the increasing demands for food arising from the increase in world population. One chapter summarizes a large international project, ‘Potential Impacts of Climate Change on World Food Supply.’ One of the outcomes of this study is the prediction of a reduction in global cereal production by up to 5% in the year 2060, assuming minor adaptations by farmers such as shifts in planting dates or changes in crops or cultivars. Another chapter concludes that the impact of climate change on the agriculture
123
that are found in virtually every chapter of this book demonstrate an important point described by Buttel. Specifically, the sustainability movement may be viewed as a bandwagon of social discontent or an umbrella movement to consolidate the fragmented social movements of the 1960s and 1970s. One may say the sustainability movement is a magnet for discontent in which, to paraphrase Eric Hoffer, the followers are true believers who are ready to hitch a ride on any cause as long as they are on for the ride. I agree with Butte1 that the ‘progressive symbol’ of sustainability (with the isms) is being appropriated by the establishment with the intent of seizing it from dissident or opposition groups who threaten dominant institutions and seek broader social change. Indeed, the ‘scientization of protest’ through sustainability rests upon the threat of global warming and global change as formulated by the environmental movement, the first cousin of the sustainability movement. Therefore, I submit that ‘Food for the Future’ is a statement of the political agenda of the emergent social wing of the sustainability movement. The other chapter that deserves reading and thought is ‘After Midas’s feast: alternative food regimes for the future’ by Harriet Friedmann. Food, as she observes astutely, ‘. . . has always been about power and money.’ She notes that ‘since recorded time, rulers have justified the harshest measures through fears of famine, and with those measures have changed relationships among people and between people and the earth.’ In my view, the social wing of the sustainability movement, as described in this book, is well aware of this strategy and seeks solutions to social problems, confrontations with the status quo, and social reform through the stage and props of sustainability. It further seeks an alliance with science to legitimise their social agenda, for moral appeals are weak and scientists are often for hire. Indeed, the editor states clearly that sustainability has great potential as a transformation tool. It is clear that, as a tool, sustainability is a means to attend to what the editor describes as ‘pressing social problems.’ That which can be politically justified by a political concern for public safety and health (environment and food) is boundless. This book is not a total loss, for it does inform the reader about how the vogue concern for the environment and sustainability is not at all what it appears to be: the truth is in the isms aboard the social bandwagon of sustainability aimed at broader social reform. I found the readings sometimes interesting, sometimes amusing, but never inspiring. One may imagine the consequences of a successful marriage between the natural and social in sustainable agriculture as described in this volume. I am not the first to suspect fascist blood in liberal veins. It is clear from this book
124
Book reviews
that there are those who would, given the political opportunity, dictate diet and nutritional need. Perhaps the day will come when environmentally friendly calories and protein are purchased with FAO coin in circulation throughout the developing world. Thomas P. Thompson
Agricultural Dimensions of Global Climate Change. Edited by Harry M. Kaiser and Thomas E. Drennen. St. Lucie Press Inc., Delray Beach, Florida, USA, 1993.311 pp. Price: US$59.95 (hardcover). ISBN 0 9634030 3 6. This book is the result of a two-day conference held in 1992, which brought a group of experts together to discuss the social and scientific issues concerning agriculture and global climate change. As the editors state in the preface, the primary aim of the book is to give the reader a thorough understanding of the central issues surrounding the complex problem of climate change. It also summarizes the results of some of the studies that have been conducted so far to investigate the impact of climate change on agriculture and to identify areas that need further research. The introduction deals with ‘Agricultural Dimensions of Global Change’ and draws from the entire book by summarizing its highlights. The final section of this introduction discusses recommendations for policy changes in both developed and developing countries, and additional areas for research. The last paragraph provides a challenge to researchers to help bridge the communication gap between the policy and science communities, and recommends the sharing of results of research projects with others outside the research community. The second chapter deals with the climatic issues of global change. It concludes that, based on a detailed analysis of land and marine data, the world has warmed up by 0*5”C since the 19th century. The following chapters discuss the role of general circulation models in global climate change studies and population constraints on world agriculture. Variation in precipitation is currently the dominant factor in causing irregularities in food supply. So far, world food production has kept pace with the increasing demands for food arising from the increase in world population. One chapter summarizes a large international project, ‘Potential Impacts of Climate Change on World Food Supply.’ One of the outcomes of this study is the prediction of a reduction in global cereal production by up to 5% in the year 2060, assuming minor adaptations by farmers such as shifts in planting dates or changes in crops or cultivars. Another chapter concludes that the impact of climate change on the agriculture