Reviews
"If you are vaguely aware that something is wrong with the food system but don't know
what it is or what to do about it, you should start by reading Phil Gregory's
"Pathway to Regeneration." Even if you are well aware of problems in specific parts of the
agri-food system - in farming, food safety, malnutrition, pollution, or climate change - you
still need to read this book. Gregory reveals an agri-food system that has been driven to
the verge of collapse by the blind pursuit of production and profits, but a system that can
be restored and sustained by working with nature for the good of humanity. He accomplishes
this feat logically, clearly, and concisely in less than 100 pages, but provides plenty of
references so readers can dig as deeply as they choose into specific issues. The time spent
reading this book will be time well-spent for anyone with an interest in food or farming,
no matter how casual, personal, or professional their interests."
John Ikerd, Professor of Agricultural
Economics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
"This book is an insightful collection of everything affecting our food system and a
blueprint for survival. It is a must read for anyone contemplating our agricultural future."
Harold Steves, a founder of the British Columbia Agricultural Land Reserve,
Richmond City Councillor since 1977, fifth generation organic cattle farmer
About the Book and the Author
"Only 60 Years of Farming Left If Soil Degradation Continues." This Dec. 2014 announcement
by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization was a tipping point for Phil Gregory, Professor
Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy at the University of British Columbia. In 2015, he
transitioned from searching for new planets to exploring how to sustain human life on our
own planet Earth.
On this journey, Gregory kept running into the interconnections
between agricultural practices, soil health, climate change, and human health. As an outsider
he was able to span these many different silos of knowledge unhampered by the blinders of
specialization. Along the way, he kept his eyes open for interesting outliers to mainstream
thinking, because as Einstein famously said "We can't solve problems by using the same kind
of thinking we used when we created them."
He encountered many surprises including an amazing revolution
in our understanding of soil biology and nature's complexity that offers so much potential
to tackle the imminent collapse of agriculture, climate change, and the many chronic disease
epidemics. It is really a good news story but not one that is widely appreciated. Gregory
provides a clear pathway to regenerate our relationship with the rest of the biosphere. The
book is aimed at a wide audience including family, friends and inquiring individuals from
all walks of life.