The current industrial food system is a massive driver of climate change. Soil erosion, pollution, deforestation, food miles, packaging and waste all contribute to a massive carbon footprint from seed to supermarket to plate.
As recent research by GRAIN and others have shown,
industrial meat and
chemical fertiliser are especially large contributors to our current climate crisis - bigger than common culprits like fossil fuel companies,
as the recent New York Times video makes clear. Now, corporations even want to take over climate initiatives,
greenwashing with false solutions like “net zero” and “climate-smart agriculture.” Simultaneously – paradoxically – fortunately: the global agrifood system is also where the most potential for remediation and regeneration exists. Food sovereignty and agroecology would go a long way in solving the climate crisis, stewarding instead of savaging the land.
This connection, between the food system and climate change, is often missing from the agenda at high-level climate conferences. What’s more, it is often missing from the strategic plans of sustainability campaigners or the program areas of funders.
Building on the EDGE conversations on climate justice at the 2021 annual conference, this hour-long webinar will provide context and concrete examples connecting food and climate both in theory and in practice.
As we reach the “no-turning-back” moment for the environment, it is vital to reach across departments and disciplines to weave the connections that will strengthen our response. Philanthropy has a unique opportunity to engage, support and encourage connections among colleagues and grantees engaged in some aspect of this work, to find common cause and build a broader movement.
