The precarious geopolitics of phosphorous Rosemarin, A. (2004)
Both nitrogen and phosphorous are essential to life. Lynchpins both to global food production, circulating through synthesis or Export and then through croplands and food into — and out of — our bodies, both elements today inhabit cycles that, in their own ways, function more in the breach.
Phosphorous is a scarce resource. As ARNO ROSEMARIN tells us, it is the focus of intense geopolitical interest. At the centre of this interest: internecine conflict in Africa, and a global rush for Western Sahara’s reserves.
Nitrogen is a resource in plenty. But, as T V JAYAN shows, that isn’t helping. Indeed, the world today faces a nitrogen deluge. That’s because a lot of it exists in the form of waste. And that’s because the cycle has been broken. Now, nitrogen-bearing waste goes not back to the land but into water.
Is it possible not to be at war with these two elements?
Bibliographic information
Rosemarin, A. (2004). The precarious geopolitics of phosphorous Down To Earth Magazin, Reprinted for the 2004 Stockholm Water Symposium, Courtesy of ”Down to Earth”, June 30, 2004 Issue, p. 27-34
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