a degrowth scenario

A Degrowth Scenario• Hypothetical Government• Minimize throughput• Abandon non-renewable extraction

Agricultural Technology OptionsKealan Gell Agricultural Engineering, Wageningen University, Netherlands

Water Policy OptionsKatherine TrajanWater Policy, Oxford University, England

Agricultural Technology

Define: Sustainability and Yield

MediumSoil quality, biology, coverUse of wasteWater retentionYield?Sustainability?

Work Inputs – Machines, labour Yield ? Sustainability?

Choice of Crops• Biodiversity

– Yield?– Sustainability?

• Yield– 20t dm/ha tropical NPP– 8-15t dm/ha root crops– 10t dm/ha temperate NPP– 5t dm/ha fruit– 3t dm/ha US maize– 0.8t dm/ha India no irrigation(FAOSTAT)

Use of Crops: Ecological Footprint, Current Biomass Flows, Adequate standard of life?

Line represents theoretical maximum yield of 10 t dm/ ha

Water Policy Options

Fresh water is a finite resource

It keeps us alive

It is over-exploited

Local depletion does and will continue to occur

Supply augmentation options are limited

The “somewhere else” to get water from is getting harder to find

1. Different policies can achieve the same objective2. The most effective policies are the least politically

feasible3. A combination of policies is less offensive than a

single regulation4. Produce National Resource Accounts5. Civil Society Participation

1. Identify unique management options2. Interested in long-term solution3. Increase awareness4. Improve effectiveness5. Increase transparency