by Bill Trayler

Life is based on energy. With the exception of some rule breaking bacteria, solar energy—i.e. sunlight—is the energy that is transferred from the non-living to the living. Green plants, algae, certain bacteria and a few other types of organisms are able to absorb sunlight and, through photosynthesis, change light energy into chemical energy. By using the energy of sunlight, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water taken in by these life forms, carbohydrates are manufactured. These molecules are then used as an energy source that may be stored or used to fuel the production of other organic molecules such as fats, proteins and others needed by all living things. Organisms that can make their own food via photosynthesis are called Primary Producers.

Organisms not capable of photosynthesis must “consume” other organisms or some part of them. Consuming may be accomplished by absorbing organic molecules from the soil or water, grazing, parasitism, or hunting and killing another organism. Organisms that must consume other organisms are appropriately called Consumers. Only a small part of the energy contained by the consumed is transferred to the consumer. On average, energy transfer from one level to the next is about 10% efficient. The standard for describing food energy is the calorie. Only about 10% of the calories consumed actually become a part of the consumer. The other 90% are lost through a variety of ways. Table 1 illustrates the dramatic reduction of calories from one level to the next.

If we consider a 2,000 calorie per day diet, 500 people could be fed as 1st level consumers from 1,000,000 calories of primary producers. Only 50 could be fed as 2nd level consumers and only 5 as 3rd level consumers. While many organisms are consumers at various levels few (if any) are always 4th level or higher. It is simply too inefficient to be sustained. Meat is a convenient but not necessary way to consume protein. However, eating meat as a source of calories is very wasteful from an energy transfer standpoint. In addition, meat production using current methods uses a tremendous amount of fossil fuel and water, both resources that are becoming more expensive and less available. Considering the large number of malnourished and undernourished people around the world and our diminishing resources, eating more plants just makes sense. You say you really hate vegetables, what better way to demonstrate that loathing than by eating them. It is better for you and for the planet.

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Bill Trayler claims to be the most mundane individual in the central valley. You would be bored if he told you any more about himself.