On Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:15:46 -0400, Mike Horlick <[log in to unmask]> 
wrote:

Yes, I realize that animals were killed because of 
>farming but it is no longer happening day in and day out on the same piece 
of 
>land (as oppossed to meat production).  

When crops are harvested animals are killed.  The point is that whatever you 
choose to eat you are contributing to the death of animals either directly or 
indirectly.  Are you suggesting that it is morally acceptable to eat vegetables 
despite the associated loss of life compared to eating meat? 

>I live in the suburbs in a detached home which occupies a modest piece of 
>land. Once, this land could have been occupied by people and many animals.
>Should I be feeling guilty about this and donate my land back to the Indians 
>with the provision that only native plants and animals be allowed back on it?

No, of course not.  Just realize that your existence depends on the death of 
other organisms no matter your food or lifestyle choices.  If you choose not to 
harm animals at all and carry it to its logical conclusion, you would have to sit 
in the corner of your house without eating until you expire.

>Human population growth, it seems to me, is the result of farming and 
farming 
>requires land. 

Human population growth is directly related to the amount of food available 
and the awareness of the population of a necessary ecological balance.  HGs 
had this awareness and would generally control their numbers via infanticide or 
other means so that their needs did not exceed the availability of resources.

>If all the 6 billion inhabitants of Earth became zero-carb eaters would we 
have 
>the land or the resources to feed these people? 

Unlikely.  

>Can anyone suggest some reading material that discusses the possibility of a 
>non-farming solution to feeding mankind?

I am not aware of any such book.  You may enjoy reading Guns, Germs & 
Steel (and Collapse) by Jared Diamond or Ishmael by Dan Quinn which 
describes the relationship between civilization and agriculture.

>I'm not sure how much of this is valid but what about the case of over-
fishing 
>and the people of Japan? Is this a case where fish re-population can not 
keep 
>with human demand? 

Overfishing is common, but certain fish species can rebound very quickly.  Red 
Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico is a recent example.