Regenesis: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet Hardcover – 26 May 2022

There's a terrible, long, negative review here on Amazon about Regenesis, accusing Monbiot of blinkered bias whilst, astonishingly, missing the plank in their own eye. The problem with accusing Monbiot of bias is that none of it reads that way. He admits that two previously hard felt issues - travel miles and food wastage - largely disappeared when confronted with facts. Equally, the idea of saying 'become vegan. Problem solved' is dismissed because he knows that won't fly. The point is, it's a painfully open and honest account of the problems with farming and his best attempt at a solution. To dismiss it as 'political' is done by those that have an axe to grind.And that is part of the problem. First of all most people don't see farming as the most ecologically destructive human activity there is because, for one, they can't think there's an alternative; for 2, because we've been brought up to see roaming sheep etc. as a bucolic idyll, and, 3, the farming lobby is incredibly influential. One of his examples is the mad idea of biofuels - incredibly inefficient (and we're talking like 25 to 50 times less efficient than wind power etc.) but stoked by EU subsidies.So Monbiot's approach is hyper realism, which many don't like. The old arguments of Share or Spare (that is, Share - like regenerative farming) or Spare (set aside of wild spaces) are, in themselves, not the end point - the argument has to be 'how to farm causing the least amount of harm'. Basically, Utilitarianism in farming. And that's hard, and much of the book examines approaches that aren't in themselves solutions, like Regenerative farming, which produces far too little food and would required more and more wild areas, thus actually impacting more than, say, some intensive farming.So what to do? The Farmfree foods section is exciting. Using hydrogen oxidizing bacteria to create protein is really interesting. You use them to replicate different types of protein, In America you can already buy ice cream made from the artificial milk generate by 'fake' casein proteins. Basically, you can make milk from water and dead bacteria which is chemically almost identical to milk and all you need is power (solar/wind), a fermentation vat and some mixing. Given milk is 97% water, it's not a hard one. But generic lumps of white 'meat' (aka 'chicken') would be another. This could free up a HUGE amount of land, so, again, why the outcry? Well, there's some that scream 'it's artificial! chemical!' and, yes, it is, but if tested properly and seen to be safe, what, actually, is the argument? Other's that they simply wouldn't drink fake milk. Maybe not, but many in the world won't have that luxury and milk production is expensive in every way. The problem with the detractors is there is no other solution, so they're really putting their fingers in their ears 'blah blah blahing' whilst we head towards extinction.If I had any criticism it would only be that not covered, probably to sheer exhaustion at the size of the project he took on. I think a chapter on the potential for robotic farming would have been good. I think an army of small robots working 24 hrs a day might solve many problems - pesticides, herbicides, ploughing, watering, wildlife corridors within farms, efficient picking etc. So small yield increases but far less poison and soil damage. It would have dovetailed nicely into the Annual/Perennials discussion.One criticism on Kindle - I KEPT hitting the little numbers of references, and then disappearing to the end of the book. So annoying! I never knew where I'd been... And don't judge - my eyesight can't cope with print. But I'll tell you something - the book ended at about 54% read, meaning there's a LOT of references for those who believe it's a polemical stunt.I would read it. We're in such trouble and this actually offers some exciting ideas that really would help.

Well written and well researched book on matters vital to all of us...fills a gap left by government , political parties and media....as well as most schools and even basic university courses.

This book is pretty easy to read, even though it's densly populated with facts and stats. But it's not all factual stuff, George Monbiot adds a bit of colour when he takes us to meet a range of interesting characters who are working to improve food production and distribution from all over the world.Even though the emphasis is on commercial food production, farms and the like, some of what you learn can easily be taken away and applied to any garden or allotment.Some readers find Monbiot's evangelical stance uncomfortable but that goes with the territory. Even so I humbly suggest that, if you care about our planet, your neck of the woods and your food, you give it a read.

does not ever descend into despair at the enormity of the changes necessary. Instead it is brimming with ideas and data to back them up, that give hope that we can end the war on nature

Such an enjoyable, informative read. One of the best books I've read this year.

Arrived on time and undamaged

Needs to be read by everyone, and one can see its influence straightaway.

This book really stinks if fabreez, it’s very strong and I don’t like being near it.Never had this before

Should be included in the canon for any school anywhere!

Truly a book after my own heart! Important subjects outlined within well written stories that take any reader through an emotional and intellectual journey fit for a fiction title. The part of the book where the challenge facing humanity is being lain bare is not a part of a distant characters Hero’s Journey- it is all of ours that reside on this blue marble but, like one wouldn’t abandon Odysseus at the most challenging part of his struggle, I urge the readers to stay with George to perhaps not emerge in the new sustainable world but at a place of hope and agency for each of us to step into the real world and write the victorious ending that unquestionably will inspire many more books that we all get to be the heroes in, should we step up to embark on the collective quest to quite literally save mankind. I would rather stay home with my books than embark on real world adventures but this one is too important of a call to ignore and I hope I will have contributed to the books looking back on the current moment in time outlining how we didn’t just count on being yeeted into space to survive but raised our voices, got to work and took back our planet

La competenza con cui tratta argomenti di grande importanza, la documentazione e l'esposizione brillante

read from head to toe, with joy. this book has a rich vocabulary, and a pleasursble theme, that is making food.

Thorough whilst also enjoyable to read. The best non-fiction book I've read in a very long time.