The Use of Energy

Wendell Berry’s essay is an objective look into the use of energy. His philosophy is that there are two types of energy use, energy done by living things like labor from plants and animals, and energy done by tools or machines. He also says that energy that comes from living things can’t be preserved, and is not available in long-term supply. This energy last only as long as the things life cycle. Machines consume the type of energy that can be preserved.

He holds the freedom of machines responsible for the change from agriculture to “agribusiness”. In Berry’s view agriculture is sustainable because it uses the circle of life to renew energy, which is a natural check. Agribusiness is only affordable in the short term, because of its wasteful practices. I agree with Berry that with new technology comes responsibly to use it thoughtful. Yes, “agribusiness” it is highly energy consuming, and extremely wasteful. Most large farms are fertilized crops with chemicals from fossils fuels, instead of compost. Also, the equipment used to farm consumes fossil fuels, which do not return nutrients to the soil.