The Vital Cycle

The Earth’s biosphere is constantly cycling through material in a complex network of energy and matter. It cycles not just through the bio-massive bulk, but also through the more ecologically valuable nutrients. Soil fertility is the vitality of the planet, and the source of our fuel and substance as living beings. As human individuals, we are part of that cycle and so too are we as societies. Like our heartbeat, respiration and immune system, the flow of biomass and nutrients on Earth is vital to health and happiness. But these cycles are falling sick and we ignore the disruption at our own peril.

There is a medicine available, however, and the secret ingredients are surprising in their simplicity and abundance: food scraps, rotting plants and animal excretions. This medicine is known as composting and it is a remarkably simple skill to learn. If everyone were able to effectively compost their own organic scraps, the world would be a better place.

Our ancestors would be amazed at the waste of organic material in our cities. Without giving