Fixing Food’s Climate Problem post

The global food system is of staggering proportions. We utilise approximately 16 million square kilometres of land for crops and about 34 million square kilometres for grazing animals, primarily cattle. This vast expanse means our food system encompasses about 38% of Earth's land surface. For comparison, all the world’s cities and suburbs cover less than 1%.

This colossal footprint of the food system is the most significant driver of habitat and biodiversity loss on Earth. It is also the most significant water user, consuming around 70% of the world's water withdrawals, which rises to about 85% when considering consumptive use. Fertiliser runoff from farming has also heavily polluted rivers, lakes, and coastal ecosystems worldwide.

This holds the keys to solving all the UN SDGs challenges.

Addressing the challenges in the global food system is not just about Climate change. It's about achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By fixing food systems, we can simultaneously tackle poverty, hunger, health, water scarcity, economic growth, responsible consumption, climate action, and biodiversity. This holistic approach supports global development and environmental sustainability.

The Climate Impact of Food Production

Beyond land and water use, the food system significantly contributes to climate change. Direct emissions from food agriculture and land use account for about 22% of the world’s greenhouse gases, comparable to the emissions from the electricity or industry sectors. When including emissions from food waste, transportation, and processing, the total rises to around 34%, making the food system the largest emitting economic sector.

Major Sources of Food-Related Emissions

The largest source of food-related emissions is deforestation, which is responsible for roughly 11% of global emissions. This is primarily due to expanding agricultural land for cattle grazing, soybean production, and palm oil. Ruminant livestock, like cattle, sheep, and goats, contribute about 5% through methane emissions from digestion. Industrial farming practices, including fertilizer overuse and poor soil management, add another 3%, and rice production contributes around 2% through methane emissions from flooded paddies.

Solutions to Reduce Food System Emissions

To address the food system’s climate impact, we must focus on cutting emissions from deforestation, livestock, industrial farming, and rice production. Here are four key areas to target:

1. Improve Food System Efficiency: Reducing food loss and waste, which currently accounts for 30-40% of food production, can significantly lower emissions. Shifting diets, particularly reducing red meat and dairy consumption, can make a substantial difference.

2. Protect Ecosystems: Preventing deforestation and protecting forests through collaboration with local communities and improving carbon markets is crucial.

3. Improve Farming Methods: Better fertilizer, chemical and pesticidemanagement, improved soil management, and reducing methane emissions from rice production are essential steps.

4. Clean Up the Larger Food System: Reducing emissions from landfills, improving refrigeration, and promoting clean cooking practices are vital.

The Role of Carbon Removal

While cutting emissions is the most effective way to address climate change, land-based carbon removal can complement these efforts. Restoring agricultural lands to natural ecosystems and implementing regenerative agriculture practices can help sequester carbon. However, these should not replace direct emission reductions.

Fixing Food Systems to Combat Food Inflation and Reduce Poverty

Addressing these problems effectively can combat food inflation, reduce poverty, and create prosperity. For example, India, which has a third more land under cultivation than China, harvests only a third as much produce by value and has minimal exports due to food loss issues. Countries could dramatically increase their agricultural productivity and profitability by implementing better farming methods, improving food system efficiency, and protecting ecosystems. This would enhance food security and boost the economy, creating a cycle of growth and prosperity that lifts communities out of poverty.

Leveraging Israeli Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture

Israeli technology offers significant potential to address these challenges. Innovations in water management, AgTech, pest control, more effective, less chemical and pesticide usage, alternative milk and meat production, and adapting the Kibbutz model for communal farming can be critical drivers for change. Using carbon offsets and agro-social finance loans or investments through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives could make a pivotal difference. By adopting these technologies and models, we can enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and promote sustainable farming practices on a global scale.

The FarmUP Initiative

While the discussed solutions are essential, practical and actionable plans are needed. This is where initiatives like FarmUP come into play. FarmUP, based in the Israeli Agro Tech powerhouse, aims to increase global food security by empowering farmers through cutting-edge agrotechnology and agro-social finance. FarmUP strives to create a more sustainable future for agriculture by promoting profitable agro-business models and collective responsibility.

Call to Action: Corporates and Investors

Addressing the food system’s role in climate change requires a collaborative effort, and there is a significant opportunity for corporations and investors to make a profound impact. By investing in agrotechnology and supporting projects aimed at sustainable farming, businesses can play a critical role in transforming the food system.

How You Can Get Involved:

1. Invest in AgTech Innovations: Support developing and deploying cutting-edge technologies that improve agricultural efficiency, reduce waste, and lower emissions.

2. Fund Sustainable Farming Projects: Partner with initiatives like FarmUP that promote sustainable and profitable farming practices.

3. Support Ecosystem Protection: Contribute to projects that prevent deforestation and protect vital ecosystems, ensuring long-term environmental health and stability.

4. Champion Improved Farming Methods: Advocate for and invest in better fertiliser and chemical management, soil health, and reduced methane emissions practices.

Together, we can build a food system that nourishes the world today and safeguards our planet for future generations. Let’s take action now to create a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector. Reach out to me at Jeffrey@farmup.tech to make a change.

Sources:

• "Fixing Food’s Big Climate Problem," Project Drawdown. Link to article​(Fixing food)​.

• "The World’s Next Food Superpower," The Economist. Link to article​(Fixing food)​.