Some argue that our current “geologic time” is not properly described as the Holocene (or entirely recent) epoch; rather, they say we should describe this as the Anthropocene (anthropo for man) because of humankind’s impact on earth. The International Union of Geological Sciences will actually decide by 2016 whether to officially declare that the Holocene is over and the Anthropocene has begun.

Mankind’s Influence – Good or Bad?

Humankind’s impact in this current epoch, whether it remains the Holocene or is labeled as Anthropocene, is undeniable. But is this an age of unprecedented advancement that provides reason for even more hope for an abundant future, or is the very optimism that humankind displays dangerous for our planet?

These are the divergent views of our environmental future. In the former, author Diane Ackerman suggests that as mankind has an insatiable desire to tinker, we continue to find advancements that lead to yet greater accomplishments.

The later is expressed by Clive Hamilton in his argument against “unbounded optimism” in favor of forced, behavioral change to address climate change. Mr. Hamilton goes so far as to say those who would use the adjective “good” in front of anthropocene live in a fantasy world. According to Mr. Hamilton, “ … manifestations of human impact in the Anthropocene, from interference in the nitrogen cycle to plastics in the oceans, only add to the grim outlook.”

Will our optimism, ingenuity, and tinkering spell our environmental demise, or will it demonstrate mankind’s unlimited ability to find solutions?

Agricultural Innovations

Perhaps no industry is more keenly aware of this nexus of scientific advancement and environmental stressors than agriculture. The increases in western agricultural production are remarkable.

Just since 1980, thanks to conservation practices and new crop traits, we have been able to increase productivity while using less water, not just in per capita terms, but in absolute terms. And nostalgia aside, if we compared today’s farms to those a half century ago, productivity is so prolific that we are feeding twice the population with half the number of farmers.

From increases in milk production while reducing carbon footprints, to changes in seed traits to increase productivity while decreasing pesticide use, we are feeding many more with fewer farmers and fewer resources.

Perhaps it is in our very DNA to want to tinker and find solutions to problems. Consider some of these recent ag-environmental solutions.

Recent Agricultural Innovations

There is the GMO spud (J.R. Simplot) that was recently approved by USDA. It is less apt to bruise, so there is less food waste (i.e., more sustainable). And the developers of this potato said they were able to “silence” the genes involved in the biosynthesis of asparagines, which formed acrylamide. Acrylamide was targeted by some activists who suggested the compound was carcinogenic (this point is not widely accepted).

In the realm of the “internet of things,” farmers are using sensors to know which piece of cultivated land may be drier, may need more fertilizer, or may even be under attack from a pest.

Then there are researchers who are looking at ways to recover phosphorus from manure and the Chinese scientists who have been using housefly larvae (maggots) to reduce manure waste and antibiotics…by 70%!

Perhaps this epoch is best described in terms that reflect mankind’s impact. We are, after all, taking full advantage of these past, geologic processes which formed the soils, water bodies, mineral resources, fossil fuel reservoirs, and more to make our time on earth more comfortable.

The catalyst betweens earth’s resources and the innovations has been, and will continue to be, mankind’s ingenuity … and I, personally, believe that is a good thing.

And as we look to the New Year, we’ll continue to look for new and innovative ways to help you solve your environmental challenges. As always, feel free to contact me (ahahn@dragun.com) if you have any questions or comments.