REGENESIS: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet
Author: George Monbiot
Published by Penguin Books, 2023
My partner saw this book in a charity shop, thought I might be interested, and bought it. I am so glad he did. Among other things, it has made me rethink feeding the soil of my allotment plot and how to adapt where possible to forest gardening practices.
In ‘Regenesis,’ George Monbiot has shared the results of his in-depth reading and research into the ways conventional farming practices, capitalism, globalisation, and corporatisation of food production are contributing to environmental damage and the Sixth Extinction, and the new theories and practices being harnessed at present that might make our food production and consumption environmentally sustainable.
His research ranges over soil theory, no-dig, no-till, organic farming, agroecology, permaculture, perennial crops and the potential of microbial fermentation.
Monbiot also looks at the way financing of food production by governments and national/international financial organisations contributes to the status quo in agriculture rather than supporting the movement to a sustainable food industry. He puts forward suggestions for re-framing financing to bring about the changes needed in agricultural policy.
A lot of scientific information is included but Monbiot makes the science accessible to the lay reader. There are personal interviews with farmers and growers experimenting with lessening the impact of their food growing on nature and still maintaining a living. He also leavens the hard facts with personal anecdotes and some quiet wit and humour.
This book sets out to address the myths and present the reality of “where and how our food is produced” (Laura Battle, Financial Times) and “to propose a new world order for farming and food production that is kinder to both people and planet…” (Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall).
If you are interested in the sustainability of the food we eat, this is a compelling read.
Kathryn May