The Demand for Sustainability

Keywords: Sustainability, Sustainable energy use, Agricultural resources.

Sustainability, sustainable development and sustainable agriculture are all important concepts at present. The growth of these ideas is traced from the simple idea that resources would become limiting, up to the complex issues now being debated. The impact on, and demands of, agriculture are considered, especially those involved in intensive agriculture. It is difficult to see any alternative to intensive agricultural methods that can meet the growing demands from increasing populations and rising living standards. However, there are good reasons why agriculture should seek to understand and meet the priorities of those who want to have a sustainable agriculture as far as is possible.

P B Tinker, Dept. of Plant Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.

20 pages, 5 tables, 31 references.