How to save the world? A global journey into making our lives better…

Cloned cattle have been the subject of some recent front-page coverage in Europe^[1a] [1b]. Meat from cloned animals has also been approved by FDA for human consumption two years ago^[2]. With this come the usual heard arguments: the pro-cloning parties say that there is no difference between a clone and its “parent” (or sibling?), in which they are right on a purely genetic point of view, and they go on saying that the Earth resources are limited (correct), and that we need to feed everybody (true but how to save the world from hunger is subject to discussion). Those against cloning point out that the long-term implication have not been tested (true as well), that cloned animals have a very high rate of abnormality (correct^[3]) and implies significant levels of cruelty to animals (correct^[3]).

But besides all of those perfectly valid albeit slightly passionate arguments I’d like to bring one which is not heard often, and the implications of which are rarely made plain enough. It is a cold, logical and scientific argument linked to the survival of the fittest theory from Darwin. But first, let’s take lessons from a troubled period of our history.

Throughout history, the richness and health of their soils has made the underlying power or utter downfall of nations and empires^[1]. Over the past century mankind has witnessed an increasing trend towards top soil depletion^[2], threatening the very basis of our complex societies^[3].

“Soil erosion is second only to population growth as the biggest environmental problem the world faces,” said David Pimentel, professor of ecology at Cornell. “Yet, the problem, which is growing ever more critical, is being ignored”^[4]. It has nowadays reached a point where, to save the world from agricultural collapse, an in-depth rethink of soil management in view of sustainably improving soil fertility is needed.

I have already exposed in previous posts how good agricultural practices, including natural farming and the preservation of untouched spaces could contribute to a more fertile land. Today I want to discuss weeds.

Can the world be saved from hunger? To answer it I would like to introduce today the work of a true genius. His name was Masanobu Fukuoka. From advanced scientist to coming back to nature, this Japanese man did nothing else than bring to the world a real agricultural revolution, a culture shift capable of radically changing our rapport to food production.

Anyone who has lived in a underdeveloped country knows how corruption is both a source of poverty and caused by it. It renders whole state systems inefficient, generates considerable economic distortions and inefficiency, and only allows the strongest to prevail. According to World Bank estimate there is more than a trillion dollars paid every year in bribe worldwide, which amounts to a amazing 3% of the whole global economy.

Most of the fight against corruption until now has been down to law makers only, with little effect. In the midst of this lack of political will, Shaffi Mather from India came up with a really audacious business plan aimed at fighting corruption.

Here is a lovely example of a brilliant idea that help us rethink our approach to education. The town of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the place where this unusual partnership takes place…

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We are educating children for a world that doesn’t exist yet. And in our rapidly changing global setting we cannot say what the world will be when our children will have to face it 40 years form now. Therefore the most important feature an education must have is making children adaptable and creative.

Our civilisation is facing some of the biggest challenges in the whole history of mankind. The only way we can possibly get out of the vicious cycle we seem to be in is by thinking out of the box and thinking creatively…