The 1972 Meadows Report: A Wake-up Call for Plant Science

Explore the implications of the 1972 Meadows report "The Limits to Growth" in this thought-provoking 46-minute lecture. Delve into how the report's predictions, now supported by 50 years of empirical evidence, signal a global socio-economic tipping point in the 21st century. Examine the concept of inversion and its impact on plant science paradigms as the world faces increasing environmental turbulence. Investigate the contrasts between systems thinking and reductionism, cooperation versus competition, and mixed agriculture against monoculture. Discuss the role of quantitative thinking, citizen science, and transdisciplinary research in addressing current environmental challenges. Consider the urgency of change, the potential of GMOs, and the future of crop research in light of these shifting perspectives.