Exploring Food Systems
Agricultural land use dominates 40% of the Earth’s land surface.
Our entire food system (agriculture + livestock + food waste + water contamination) contributes about 25% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. And yet, in spite of all this harmful activity, 820 million people still lack sufficient food and many more consume an unhealthy diet that contributes to premature death and morbidity.
We as a species are incredibly adept at simultaneously killing the planet and our bodies. How did we manage to mess up such a basic necessity? By creating a food system that prioritizes factory farming, industrial agriculture, corporate profit rather than small farmers, local and seasonal produce, and equal access to nutrition.
On this episode of Do What You Can For The people, I chat with Leigh Anne Statuto about how we’ve all become far too disconnected from our food. So much of our lives revolves around food but so few of us think about the impact our food systems have on personal and planetary health. In this episode, Leigh Anne and I talk about the environmental impacts of agriculture, regenerative agriculture, and access to whole foods. Action begins with education and we hope that this chat inspires you to think about how we can all eat more sustainably.
THINGS MENTIONED
Average Age of Farmers: https://www.morningagclips.com/average-age-of-farmers-continues-to-rise/
Agricultural Land Use: https://ourworldindata.org/land-use
Agriculture and Water Pollution: https://agreenerworld.org/challenges-and-opportunities/environmental-pollution/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-uH6BRDQARIsAI3I-Ue2T1hpD7gccI6wIM9KWRy1-_QWMbu4r4pUFoLledvRyzAwqj_i5d0aAtPxEALw_wcB
Food Waste in the US: https://www.nrdc.org/food-waste
Project Drawdown: https://drawdown.org/
White Oak Pastures: https://blog.whiteoakpastures.com/hubfs/WOP-LCA-Quantis-2019.pdf
Regenerative Agriculture: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/how-regenerative-land-and-livestock-management-practices-can-sequester-carbon
Beef Production Monopoly: https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/09/17/yup-80-of-our-beef-comes-from-4-producers.aspx
Average Emissions of US Daily Diet: http://css.umich.edu/sites/default/files/publication/CSS14-23.pdf
EAT-Lancet Report: https://eatforum.org/content/uploads/2019/07/EAT-Lancet_Commission_Summary_Report.pdf
Food Deserts: https://foodispower.org/access-health/food-deserts/
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): https://www.localharvest.org/csa/
Environmental Gentrification: http://www.capecharlesmirror.com/news/are-farmers-markets-an-example-of-environmental-gentrification/
Imperfect Foods: https://www.imperfectfoods.com/
Misfits Market: https://www.misfitsmarket.com/
Composting at Home: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
COVID’s Impact on Meat Supply Chain: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/18/business/coronavirus-meat-slaughterhouses.html
Plant-Rich Diets: https://www.drawdown.org/solutions/plant-rich-diets
Foodprint Calculator: https://foodprint.org/what-is-foodprint/
GET IN TOUCH WITH LEIGH ANNE
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If you or someone you know would like to be featured on the show, please get in touch!