Uploaded December 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Agriculture was glaringly missing from the COP negotiations. But it is crucial to restoring soils, biodiversity and the sequestration of carbon. Transitioning the energy system will only work if we also transition the food system. #PaulBehrens and #HelenHarwatt agree that the most powerful step we can take is to stop using precious land, water and resources to feed cattle. Paul points out that farm subsidies, now going to support animal agriculture, could be used to pay farmers and ranchers to transition to biodiverse organic farming, growing food directly for people instead.
The inefficient and destructive system of monocultures, which primarily provides feed for the meat industry, creates an ecological debt by depleting soils, and polluting ecosystems. The beef industry alone produces emissions equivalent to the entire country of India.
Industrial fishing is equally damaging. Marine pastures are vital to the health of the oceans, but they are being lost as predator fish are killed off, disturbing the ecological balance. Helen Harwatt explains that coastal vegetation sequesters carbon 40 times faster than the rainforest.
Another critical step is to control food waste as climate change threatens breadbaskets around the world. If we are to avoid mass starvation, we need to transition to a resilient and inclusive system that can provide essential nutrients for all the people.
For more information on the state of our planet visit the FacingFuture Library at https://facingfuture.earth/library
Agriculture was glaringly missing from the COP negotiations. But it is crucial to restoring soils, biodiversity and the sequestration of carbon. Transitioning the energy system will only work if we also transition the food system. #PaulBehrens and #HelenHarwatt agree that the most powerful step we can take is to stop using precious land, water and resources to feed cattle. Paul points out that farm subsidies, now going to support animal agriculture, could be used to pay farmers and ranchers to transition to biodiverse organic farming, growing food directly for people instead.
The inefficient and destructive system of monocultures, which primarily provides feed for the meat industry, creates an ecological debt by depleting soils, and polluting ecosystems. The beef industry alone produces emissions equivalent to the entire country of India.
Industrial fishing is equally damaging. Marine pastures are vital to the health of the oceans, but they are being lost as predator fish are killed off, disturbing the ecological balance. Helen Harwatt explains that coastal vegetation sequesters carbon 40 times faster than the rainforest.
Another critical step is to control food waste as climate change threatens breadbaskets around the world. If we are to avoid mass starvation, we need to transition to a resilient and inclusive system that can provide essential nutrients for all the people.
For more information on the state of our planet visit the FacingFuture Library at https://facingfuture.earth/library
