Bad thing Quote by Wendell Berry
“There are lots of bad things that can happen to a food economy that's both extensive and centralized. There's no substitute for petroleum. To have a growth economy based on a declining fuel supply is bound to be stressful.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Unsettling of America", 1977
A centralized, extensive food system is vulnerable; reliance on finite petroleum makes growth stressful.
In simple terms: Food systems need decentralization and renewable energy.
Promote local, sustainable agriculture.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- farm policy
- urban planning
- energy transition
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps can communities take to localize food production?
- How can economies grow without fossil fuels?
Transitioning to renewables is costly and politically challenging.