To add to this, it appears many scientists/ecologists around Europe are very worried about practical desertification due to monoculture (industrial/chemical growing of one crop across vast areas).

This is so much of a problem that even skeptical industrial farmers are starting to use organic farming techniques (such as compost or nettle manure) to replenish their soils for monoculture. Which is of course not as good as smart permaculture setups, but well.

Don't worry, kevin over there in silicon valley is doing his part by taking a short shower! /s