Food, Agriculture, and Climate Change

Introduction

• Food, farms, and landscapes contribute significantly to climate change.
• Important to untangle confusion and misinformation regarding these impacts.
• Focus on data to understand the food system and its effects on the climate.

Scale of Food Systems

• Food systems occupy 38% of Earth's land:
  • Green areas (crops) and red areas (grazing).
• For perspective, cities/suburbs cover less than 1% of Earth’s land.
• 29% of agricultural land is used for animal agriculture (grazing and feed).
• This large footprint has significant environmental impacts:
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Water pollution
  • Ecosystem degradation

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Agriculture and land use contribute approximately 22% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Comparable to emissions from electricity and industry.

Major Contributors to Food-Related Emissions

1. Deforestation
   • Accounts for 11% of global emissions (half of food emissions).
2. Methane from Livestock
   • Significant contributor to climate change.
3. Industrial Farming Methods
   • Overuse of chemicals (e.g., fertilizers).
4. Rice Production
   • Produces approximately 2% of emissions.

Indirect Emissions

• Emissions also arise from:
  • Food waste (30-40% of food grown is never eaten).
  • Energy and materials used in food processing, transportation, and packaging.
• Overall, food contributes to around 34% of global emissions when including indirect sources.

Increasing Food Emissions

• Unlike other sectors, emissions from food are still rising, posing a major challenge.
• We must address the connection between food and climate change.

Action Plan to Reduce Emissions

• Cutting emissions is the first step in addressing climate change.
• Use the analogy of a bathtub overflowing to symbolize the need to turn off the pollution source first.

Key Strategies

1. Increase Efficiency
   • Focus on reducing food waste.
2. Shift Diets
   • Move towards plant-rich diets; animal products contribute more to emissions.
   • Specific comparison: 1 pound of beef emits 100 pounds of GHG.
3. Protect Ecosystems
   • Prevent the clearing of forests for agriculture (e.g., beef, palm oil).
4. Improve Farming Practices
   • Explore techniques from organic and conventional farming to reduce emissions.
   • Address excessive fertilizer use.

Ecosystem Restoration and Carbon Removal

• Rewilding and regenerative agriculture can help capture carbon and restore ecosystems.
• Must be careful not to let carbon removal distract from cutting emissions.

The Path Forward

• No single solution; a portfolio of strategies is needed.
• Address the food-climate crisis as a chance to create a better food system that:
  • Nourishes the world.
  • Reduces environmental pressures.
  • Halts climate change.
• Emphasizing the need for collective action and informed choices based on science.

Conclusion

• Potential for transformative change exists without needing new technologies, just a willingness to change.
• Collaboration and science-driven strategies can lead to a sustainable future.

Gratitude

• Thank you for your attention!