ABSTRACT
This chapter applies the concepts sustainability, resilience, and regenerative practice to agricultural and food systems in developed countries. In this context, dominant industrial and agribusiness food models present what appear to be extraordinarily efficient solutions (primarily through reducing human labour), yet necessitate incredible energy intensity to achieve outputs through consumption of finite resources. Such industrial food systems vastly degrade the Earth’s landscapes, soils, and natural systems. Outside of short-term purviews, the viability of industrial food systems’ is seriously doubtful; if continued and intensified as advocated by many observers, such food systems are likely to be substantially tested during the course of the 21st century. While knowledge, resource, infrastructural, and behavioural shifts can reduce or avoid extensive food crises and collapse, present indicators and behaviours suggest that such actions are unlikely to be considerably implemented and realised. Ultimately, the need to rebuild rather than deplete biocapacity through regenerative practices, agriculture, and design is a fundamental component for ensuring enduring food systems and civilisation.
