Climate change impacts | TableDebates

Food in a changing climate

Food in a changing climate

This book examines the challenges of adapting the food system to a changing climate. Arguing that corporate food production has colonial origins, it makes the case for “deep adaptation” and rejuvenating local and regional food systems.

News and resources

Podcast: How climate-linked food insecurity shapes migration

This podcast from the US-based Migration Policy Institute interviews Dr Megan Carney, anthropologist and director of the University of Arizona’s Centre for Regional Food Studies, about the links between climate-related food insecurity and people’s decision whether to migrate.

Image: diego_torres, Water Raindrops Raining, Pixabay, Pixabay Licence

Journal articles

Climate impacts linked to reduced diet diversity in children

This paper uses data from 19 countries to test the link between climate and dietary diversity in children. It finds that higher temperatures are generally associated with lower diet diversity, while higher precipitation is generally associated with greater diet diversity.

Image: Shane Stagner, Crescent bay beach, Unsplash, Unsplash licence

Journal articles

Why scientists should speak out on environmental risks

This paper argues that the threats to humanity and the biosphere from environmental damage is much greater than is usually acknowledged, and that current political and economic solutions do not match the scale of the danger. The authors call for scientists to speak “candidly and accurately” to policymakers, businesses and the public about the risks to our future.

Image: Three-shots, Pan stove fire boiling, Pixabay, Pixabay Licence

Journal articles

Climate impacts of home cooking methods in the UK

Table members Ximena Schmidt Rivera, Sarah Bridle and Christian Reynolds have co-authored this paper, which finds that the cooking method used to prepare foods at home in the UK can account for up to 61% of total emission for some food types, and that emissions from cooking can be easily reduced. The paper is based on a survey of how UK consumers actually cook various foodstuffs, as opposed to recipe recommendations.

All-Consuming cover

Building a healthier food system for people and planet

This report from the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change makes recommendations for reducing the UK’s food-related greenhouse gas emissions and limiting the negative health impacts of climate change. The suggestions include: provide clear, accessible advice on transitioning to climate-friendly diets; research the most effective forms of food labelling; require publicly procured food to meet minimum environmental standards; and require post-Brexit food imports to meet UK environmental standards.

Plating up progress

Investor briefing: Plating up Progress Part 1

This first investor briefing by Plating Up Progress (a Food Foundation and Food Climate Research Network project) looks at the sustainability risks and opportunities that exist for food retailers, caterers and restaurants.

Foodsource

Impacts of climatic and environmental change on food systems

Food systems are central to human well-being. We rely on them for nourishment, employment, livelihoods, culture and more. Reliable access to sufficient food is a foundation of human health, and of social and political stability. While the impacts of food systems on the environment are great, changes to the climate and the wider environment — to which food systems contribute — also have major implications for the functioning of food systems and all that they support. Understanding this matters, because sustainable food systems in the future must not only maintain human well-being with fewer environmental impacts, but must also be able to cope to different environmental conditions to those experienced today.

gut

Gut feelings and possible tomorrows: (where) does animal farming fit?

This paper takes a closer look at who the stakeholders are in the debate around livestock, the different narratives that they construct about the livestock problem - and the solutions they propose. It does this by constructing four scenarios, each of which imagines a different livestock ‘solution,’ and explores the values that underpin them. In 2023, this paper was adapted into a podcast series called "Meat: The Four Futures." Visit the podcast page to learn more.