The food we eat is killing the planet. This is not an exaggeration, but the stark reality emerging from a new book that brings together the voices of dozens of experts, farmers, and food industry pioneers. Our food system, they warn, is on the brink of collapse. With only 60 crops left in our exhausted soils (an estimate that leaves me astonished, yes, but also a little perplexed), time is running out to save the future.
But all is not lost. From plant-based diets to compassionate agriculture, from indigenous practices to international agreements, the wise “Regenerative Farming and Sustainable Diets,” released last month and still in English, offers a series of radical solutions to transform the way we produce and consume food. It is a cry of alarm, but also a beacon of hope in a sea of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
The food system is in crisis
Joyce D'Silva e Carol McKenna, the book's editors, do not mince words in describing the current situation. Our food system is "broken," they say. In a world where a third of food is wasted, 780 million people suffer from hunger and three billion cannot afford a healthy diet, it's clear that something has to change.
Philip Lymbery, researcher and author, issues a chilling warning:
We have only sixty crops left in our soil to save our children's future.
This statement highlights the urgency of the situation. We are not talking about a distant future, but an imminent crisis that requires immediate action.
Meat at the centre of the debate
Tim Benton1, in his contribution, sheds light on a crucial aspect of the problem: the increase in meat consumption. This trend has led to an increase in the demand for animal feed, with a consequent intensification of the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. The result? A dramatic decline in biodiversity, deforestation, and water and air pollution.
Although it is declining in high-income countries, global meat consumption is expected to increase in the coming years. Total global meat consumption (including beef, pork and chicken) is projected to is expected to grow by 9,6% by 2030, from 327 million tonnes in 2023 to 358,4 million tonnes. Another report predicts a 14% increase in global meat consumption by 2030 compared to average levels in 2018-2020, driven by rising income and population in developing countries
Concrete solutions
The book does not simply paint an apocalyptic picture, but offers a variety of concrete solutions. David finlay, a British breeder, tells how in just eight years he managed to transform his farm2 in a model of compassionate and sustainable agriculture.
Vandana Shiva, an Indian scholar, invites us to look at indigenous practices as a source of inspiration. The indigenous They manage only 22% of the planet's land but protect 80% of global biodiversity. There is much to learn from these age-old practices.
Shireen Kassam, a British haematologist, provides compelling evidence of the benefits of plant-based diets, both for human health and for the health of the planet. The Planetary Diet EAT-Lancet, that proposes deriving more than 85% of energy from healthy plant foods, could reduce all-cause mortality by more than 60%.
In a surprising chapter, Andrew Knight suggests feeding dogs and cats a vegan diet. According to his calculations, if all the dogs in the world were vegan, enough food would be saved to feed the entire EU population. And if all cats were vegan, they would save money the same greenhouse gas emissions as the whole of New Zealand.
Fixing the Food System: Call to Action or Book of Illusions?
The essay “Regenerative Farming and Sustainable Diets” is not just an analysis of the problems, but a call to action. Whether it’s adopting a more plant-based diet, supporting regenerative agriculture, or pushing for more sustainable food policies, each of us has a role to play in shoring up the food system.
Time is running out, but hope remains. With sixty harvests to go (or is that true?) we still have the opportunity to transform our food system into something more sustainable, equitable, and resilient. The question is: are we up to the challenge?
- Tim G. Benton is a distinguished fellow in the Environment and Society programme at Chatham House, where he has been director of research and the centre since 2019. He has worked with the UK government, the EU, the G20 and other governments around the world, and with leading companies and civil society organisations. He has been a steward of the World Economic Forum's global agenda ↩︎
- https://www.nature.scot/nature-heroes-david-wilma-finlay-rainton-farm-ethical-dairy ↩︎
