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Energy descent and New Zealand agriculture

Energy descent and New Zealand agriculture. Solis Norton November 24, 2011. For correspondence: Solis.norton@johnes.org.nz. Introduction. Exponential human growth is unsustainable - Bartlett Same lecture, 1600 times since 1969 – no effect Western world (ag) continues to intensify

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Energy descent and New Zealand agriculture

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  1. Energy descent and New Zealand agriculture Solis Norton November 24, 2011 For correspondence: Solis.norton@johnes.org.nz

  2. Introduction • Exponential human growth is unsustainable - Bartlett • Same lecture, 1600 times since 1969 – no effect • Western world (ag) continues to intensify • ‘Peak everything’ is upon us • IPCC and PCE reports call for redesign of agriculture toward resilience and genuine sustainability • Energy descent = de-intensification of agriculture • What does this mean?

  3. Challenges to NZ ag • Peak Oil - • Climate change • Environmental constraints • Water constraints • Market instability reflects increasing to maintain BAU • Agriculture faces unprecedented challenge

  4. Drivers of energy use in ag

  5. Drivers of energy use in ag • Fuel • Fertiliser • Impact of oil price on these drivers • Impact of less of these drivers (like urea) • Globally, wider utilisation at lower rates is real opportunity • Depends on equitable distribution… • Greater equity = faster transition for us

  6. Transition toward organics Declining energy is synonymous with a transition toward organic production systems Characteristics of organic systems • Less energy intensive fertiliser • Lower stocking rate • Overall lower input per ha • Lower output per ha ~25% • Greater resilience to shocks?

  7. Output energy

  8. Efficient vs intensive Organic production systems are less intensive • Lower inputs/ha • Lower outputs/ha Organic systems are not more efficient • Ability to convert input energy to output energy is same as conventional • No scope to improve this on the scale required to match descent.

  9. EROI

  10. A plan and timeline Food production will decline • Do we grow foods that are in demand? • Prioritise foods with a high EROI… cheap nutrition? • Is this a risk or an opportunity? On what scale? • Need a plan for this transition processes • It will take time and energy to devise this plan • How long? – 5 years? 10 years?

  11. Transition experience

  12. Building resilience • Change ag currency from money to energy • Avoid ‘lost decades’ following turbulence • This will take us further into descent • The longer we wait the harder it will be to effect the necessary changes

  13. Leadership group • New Zealand has agriculture and the All Blacks • Set a precedent for other countries to follow • Need a starting point and a new language… • Initiate with small pan-industry leadership group • Minimal governmental input, 300k/yr • Create a plan and estimate a timeline • Communicate

  14. Group composition • Chairman • Energy specialist(s) • Industry reps (dairy, sheep/beef, etc) • Economist • Doer • Maximum number of 8 people • Linked to key NZ agriculture bodies

  15. Existing pathways • FarmsOnLine – contact all the farmers! • FarmIQ – demand driven integrated value chain for red meat • Fonterra • Meat and Wool NZ • DINZ • MAF • Farmer groups…

  16. Discussion Driven by profit or sustainability? The coming challenges are unavoidable No framework or even language exists to meet them The time for extensive research to assess plans grows short A small dedicated group is one alternative to investigate options and communicate issues Cheap to run and well connected, it could offer real benefit Action while action is still easy.

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