Food, Energy, and Society

About this book

This updated third edition of Food, Energy, and Society provides a detailed evaluation of the link between two of the greatest problems faced today: uncontrolled population growth and the damage to our life supporting systems. New material includes the conservation of biodiversity in agricultural, forestry, and marine systems, livestock production and energy use, and the impacts of pesticides on the environment. The authors provide an in-depth discussion of the threat of soil erosion to the food supply and the environment; include coverage of energy inputs of crop production in the developed and developing countries; and explore the topic of water resources, including agricultural systems.

Contents

Energy and the Economy. Energy and Power. Solar Energy in Natural and Managed Ecosystems. Ecological Systems, Natural Resources, and Food Supplies. Manipulating Ecosystems for Agriculture. Hunter-Gatherers and Early Agriculture. Early LivestockSystems and Animal Power. Livestock Production and Energy Use. Energy Use in Fish and Aquacultural Production. Energy Use Grain and Legume Production. Energy Use in Fruit, Vegetable, and Forage Production. Energy Inputs in Crop Production: Comparison ofDeveloped and Developing Countries. Competition for Land: Development, Food, and Fuel. Pesticide Impacts on the Environment. Water Resources: Agricultural and Environmental Issues. Soil Erosion: Threat to Food and the Environment. Conservation ofBiodiversity in Agricultural, Forestry, and Marine Systems. Food Processing, Packaging, and Preparation. Transport of Agricultural Supplies and Food. Renewable Energy: Current and Potential Issues. Biomass: Food Versus Fuel. Ethanol Production Using Corn,Switchgrass, and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean and Sunflower. U.S. Energy Conservation and Efficiency: Benefits and Costs. Summing Up: Options and Solutions.

Customer Reviews

Biography

David Pimentel and Marcia Pimentel, Editors