Agriculture to Green Economy

Viewpoints: Small-scale farming holds key to cleaner future

Aug. 14, 2011 - China and Northern California would seem to share little in common, other than having the vast Pacific Ocean lapping on their shores.

Yet as these two regions seek to grow their economies in a sustainable way, both have similar opportunities in agriculture and forestry. Just as Sacramento is starting to go green through initiatives that encourage local food production, efforts are under way to reduce the environmental impacts of China's rapid industrialization and shift the economy toward cleaner development.

According to a new Worldwatch Institute report, "Green Economy and Green Jobs in China," the three sectors of energy, transportation, and forestry could provide at least 4.5 million green jobs in China by 2020. China's wind power industry alone created an average of 40,000 direct green jobs annually from 2006 to 2010. But, according to the report, "greening can and should occur in all sectors of the economy."

Agriculture, for example, can contribute significantly to the green economy. Small-scale, sustainable farming encourages job creation and reduces the environmental impact associated with energy-intensive industrial farming. read more>>>