Discover How Colorado’s Ecologist Explores Food, Climate Change, and Regenerative Agriculture in His Latest Book

Agriculture plays a dual role in our world: it’s both heavily impacted by climate change and a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Finding ways to make our farming practices and diets more eco-friendly is essential for everyone.

Mark Easter, an ecologist based in Fort Collins, dives into these challenges in his book, The Blue Plate: A Food Lover’s Guide to Climate Chaos. He emphasizes how we can create a more sustainable food system and showcases farms in the Western United States as examples of successful regenerative practices.

During a recent conversation, Easter shared his motives for writing the book. He started this journey back in 2014, realizing that while pollution from fossil fuels was widely recognized, the carbon emitted from food production was less understood. It amazed him to learn how microorganisms in our ecosystems could both contribute to emissions and help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Easter’s research revealed something hopeful: many regenerative agricultural solutions are already in practice worldwide, often implemented by farmers for years. He emphasizes that these solutions just need greater attention, support, and collaboration among farmers.

For instance, one effective method is using cover crops. After harvesting main crops like corn or soybeans, farmers can plant cover crops that protect the soil, enrich it, and sequester carbon, making it vital for reversing atmospheric carbon buildup. When farmers are given the right incentives and support, these practices flourish.

Easter also highlights the unique challenges of farming in Colorado and across the Rocky Mountains. The area’s high elevation and unpredictable weather demand innovation and adaptability from its farmers.

A question central to Easter’s book is: “Can we eat our way out of the climate crisis?” Over the past 30 years, scientists have explored this issue extensively. They agree that regenerative agriculture is crucial for reducing atmospheric carbon and that we need to actively draw down existing carbon, not just focus on cutting fossil fuel emissions.

At the heart of Easter’s message is the idea that our meals connect us to the environment and the farmers who grow our food. His personal approach to meals now centers on gratitude for the workers and systems that sustain our food supply.

With growing awareness around these issues, it’s clear that our choices and actions related to food and agriculture play a significant role in addressing climate change. By supporting sustainable practices and understanding our impact on the planet, we can contribute to solutions that benefit everyone.

For more insights into regenerative practices and their benefits, you can explore the resources from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Check out this related article: How Climate Change is Shaping Today’s Weather: Insights from an Environmental Expert