NEW Podcast: with Joachim von Braun
S2:E7 Joachim von Braun on an 'IP for Food'
Joachim von Braun, former Chair of the Scientific Group for the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, lays out the importance of an inclusive process and multi-disciplinary scientific collaboration to meet the calls for food system transformation. Dr von Braun joins us to talk about his experience as Chair, what he sees as the successes of the summit, and what work remains to be done.
We also discuss who should be involved in knowledge production and how, and we hear his thoughts on whether we should create an Intergovernmental Panel for Food (not unlike the IPCC) that would have the power to work towards scientific consensus on food system issues.
For full show notes and transcript, visit here.
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NEW Blog: Victory is in the kitchen
During World War II, the British government transformed the domestic food system, implementing laws to cut food imports, encourage citizens to grow more of their own food, reduce food waste, and ration scarce foods such as meats, butter and sugar. In this blog post, educator and food writer Eleanor Boyle draws out the lessons that this historical case study offers for transforming today’s food systems in the face of the environmental crisis. She argues for reducing food waste, introducing modern versions of “British Restaurants” to offer low-cost meals and, controversially, rationing some foods including beef and dairy.
Read the blog and share your comments here.
NEW Event: Preparing for COP27
In order to limit global warming to 1.5°C, we not only need to bring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions down as close to zero as possible, but also actively take carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere. The carbon sequestration potential of land has drawn increasing attention as the need to achieve negative emissions becomes ever more urgent.
When it comes to agriculture, the role of ruminant livestock (e.g. cattle, sheep, and goats) in sequestering CO2 through grazing on the one hand, and in contributing to GHG emissions and other environmental damage on the other have become highly polarised topics of debate. So what does the science actually say? How do the specificities of local context fit into our understanding of global land use interactions and into wider debates about what a good food system looks like?
To explore these questions, join TABLE for a panel discussion on 14 September at 18.00 BST with leading thinkers and researchers on agriculture, food systems and climate change mitigation. Visit here for more info and to register for the event.
What is ecomodernism?
In a new TABLE explainer - What is ecomodernism? - we explore the philosophy of ecomodernism, which believes that it is both possible and desirable to live in material prosperity while protecting nature at the same time.
Read the explainer. Listen to the podcast interview with explainer author Helen Breewood. Watch the webinar recording.
What's new?
- What is “less but better” meat?
Journal articles
- How does soil pollution affect human health?
Journal articles - Low opportunity cost animal feed in five European countries
Journal articles
- Micronutrient security in the UK
Journal articles - Rotational grazing and herbal leys increase productivity
Journal articles - Are perennial grain yields high enough?
News and resources
Hi Rupert, I’m afraid we don’t have a transcript, though the full debate is available to watch again (with or without subtitles).
Hi, do you have a transcript for this debate? Thanks!
Explainers
- Methane and the sustainability of ruminant livestock
Building blocks - What is the nutrition transition?
Building blocks
- What is sustainable intensification?
Building blocks
Research library
- Research priorities for global food security
Journal articles - How does soil pollution affect human health?Journal articles
