Holocene Diaries

Every time oil prices spike, food prices follow. That link is not a coincidence; it is a design flaw baked into our agricultural system over the past 60 years. Sustainability in agriculture is not just a feel-good idea; it is a structural necessity. In this article, I want to explain how we got here, why the status quo is fragile, and what a realistic path toward sustainable farming actually looks like. At a Glance: Key Points in This Article Topic Key Takeaway The food-oil link Half of global food production depends on fossil-fuel-derived fertilizers How we got here The Green Revolution (1960s–70s) traded long-term soil health for short-term yield Why this matters now The 2026 Hormuz crisis pushed fertilizer prices up ~46% in a single month Long-term benefits Organic soils sequester more carbon and restore natural fertility cycles The roadmap ...

The world is choking, not metaphorically, but economically. Since late February 2026, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut down following the US-Israeli military strikes on Iran, triggering what the International Energy Agency has described as the "greatest global energy security challenge in history." The ripple effects are landing everywhere: fuel prices, food costs, factory output, and financial markets. For those of us who follow sustainability and sustainable development goals, this crisis is neither a surprise nor a distraction, it is the argument we have been making for years, made visible. At a Glance, Key Points in This Article: Topic Key Takeaway The Hormuz Crisis ~20% of global oil supply blocked; oil prices surging Why Oil Still Dominates Transport, plastics, fertilizers, and global supply chains all depend on it The Renewable Opportunity Renewables now c...

  The word sustainability gets thrown around constantly, yet most people struggle to define what it actually means beyond recycling or buying organic. In this article, I want to explain the pillars and systems behind this frequently used word. I also want to highlight the privilege of living in this geological epoch and our ethical responsibilities within it. Finally, I aim to inspire readers to imagine a different world and to discuss what we can realistically do to move toward that vision. Key Facts at a Glance Sustainability rests on three pillars: environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability The Holocene epoch (our current geological period) supports the highest biodiversity in Earth’s history The Half-Earth proposal suggests dedicating 50% of the planet to conservation to ensure long-term species survival Policies: it is hard to change without the right incentives Individual consumption drives econom...