"The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is one of the worst environmental disasters in history but we should not forget the damage done to the Gulf from chemical agriculture. Runoff from petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides created the massive 'dead zone' unable to support marine life---demonstrating the ills of an industrial food system dependent on fossil fuel.
Agriculture and our food system use nearly 20% of all the energy consumed in the US. Energy is used to manufacture fertilizers, pesticides, tractors and other machinery, and to transport refrigerate and store food. All this results in an astounding fact: It takes seven to 10 time more energy to produce your food than the energy you gain from eating it.
Organically produced food is more energy efficient than chemically grown food. Research shows that organic methods use 30% less energy and emit fewer greenhouse gases. That's because organic standards prohibit synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which account for 40% of all energy for agriculture.
The BP oil spill in the Gulf is a reminder of how important it is to rethink how we produce food. We can make decisions that help our nation transition away from fossil fuel. Choosing foods that are organic, local, seasonal and unprocessed can help protect the Gulf, and improve food and energy security in the future."
Source: The Center For Food Safety
PCC #447
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