There is much critique of techno-solutionism, or the idea that we can have the same things but better/more sustainable through technology, but the converse of this, a "naturalistic solutionism," that says we can have beef as long as it comes from a grass-fed cow, deserves just as much critique.
^^^ on the above point, I want to say that @garrettbroad.bsky.social has a term/concept for this he used to mention on Twitter, but I can't recall what it was.
ha thanks yeah I keep changing the term around, and have never put it to paper. On a new podcast ep to come out soon I discuss it as "agroecological solutionism" which I think works for most of the ag debates. I've also used "grassroots solutionism" in more general sustainability debates.
Naturalistic solutionism is also good, although I think the grassroots and agroecological terms speak to broader socio-technical relationships a bit better. Often it's not just about valorizing nature-based tech, it's also about a purified vision of community knowledge. I/we should write this up...
There are certainly good elements of agroecology. But my issue is when people say things like we need to end industrial agriculture and shift entirely to agroecology. We are writing something on this more broadly though, stay tuned!
Monbiot, who tends to be very good with words, has probably coined a number of relevant terms. Here, for instance, 'fantasy farming', or 'bucolic fantasy'... https://www.monbiot.com/2023/05/28/fantasy-farming/
Comments
For instance would you consider « no till farming » as agroecological ?