CHAPTER 6

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Thousands of years ago, humans relied on hunting and gathering for sustenance. Just a moment ago, we emphasized the need to shift the focus from hunting fossil fuels and gathering them to alternatively “farming” for additional energy and water. Evolving from this hunter-gatherer mindset that existed thousands of years ago, but we should look for it to happen again.

Our ancestors were simple, nomadic people, continually moving from one location to another in search of food and resources. Remaining small in scale, characterized by minimal social hierarchy and division of labor. Fast forward to today, and we are still utilizing some of these same practices. Similar to farming our food, we should also improve our ability to farm the sun, the wind, and the oceans. With this same premise, we should look to how we farm our food today and bring forward an even greater abundance with the time that will be freed up once more and more of us are laid off and searching for answers during A2C2.

Knowing that our story took a plot twist several thousand years ago when humans moved from hunting and gathering to more settled agricultural practices, this era marked a pivotal turning point in human history. Humans began cultivating crops and domesticating animals rather than depending on wild food sources. This shift brought about a more dependable and stable food supply, allowing humans to establish permanent settlements instead of leading nomadic lifestyles.

The advent of agriculture had far-reaching consequences for human societies. It led to the growth of cities and civilizations and the development of intricate social structures and hierarchies. Additionally, it facilitated wealth accumulation and the growth of trade and commerce.

However, alongside the benefits, the expansion of cities and civilizations also resulted in environmental degradation. This manifested through deforestation and inadequate land management practices, contrary to nature’s intended balance.

Despite these changes, agriculture remains the dominant mode of food production worldwide. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of how imperative sustainable, environmentally friendly agricultural practices are and the preservation of traditional food systems that support small-scale farmers.

As we confront issues related to food security, sustainability, and environmental stewardship, it is difficult not to acknowledge the long and intricate history of food production for human consumption. From our early days as hunter-gatherers to the rise of agriculture and beyond, how we nourish ourselves is deeply intertwined with our social, cultural, and environmental evolution.

The question arises: What practical steps or actions can we take based on our newfound awareness and reflection?