‘Climate change‘
A change in climatic patterns, specifically referring to the great acceleration. A proposed new era called the Anthropocene, where humankind’s impact on the environment and Earth’s ecosystems is the most dominant due to increased levels of human activity.
Collectively we are in an incredible position in which we can help mitigate climate change. Never before have we known how our actions are impacting the planet and never before have we had the knowledge to do something about it.
Beautiful oceans, lakes, forests and other ecosystems are becoming recognised as not only necessary, but vital for our planet to function. And I’ve noticed a drive in the food industry for more natural food that supports nature, from the team at Unilever, who make a lot of our supermarket products, to Noma, one of the best restaurants in the world, whose food depicts nature and biodiversity on the plate.
Governments around the world are making commitments to reduce carbon pollution. People are speaking up, protesting and improving their own carbon footprints, whilst scientists are learning how to tackle it.
Farmers are the people to ask if we want to learn about the real life impacts of climate change. They are on the frontline, dealing with ever more unpredictable weather, frosts, deluges and heat waves. Friend and farmer Steen Leender from Brambletye fruit farm told me how frosts are becoming more unpredictable and wiping out half his harvest, freezing the blossom and scaring the fruit. Other examples from further afield, become ever more drastic.
Climate change is putting our food system under immense pressure. But the opposite is also true. Our food system, particularly ‘conventional farming’ – or non organic agriculture – is one of the key causes of climate change. One of the main problems within conventional farming is its overuse of synthetic fertilisers that can cause soil degradation, nitrogen pollution and biodiversity loss. By eating whole foods from regenerative farms and practicing affordable ways of eating like Root to Fruit – with its waste less, buy better philosophy – we can support Earth’s ecosystems. However, there are also some ingredients which can be grown within the conventional system that benefit the soil and our environment. Here are three examples of ingredients that are worth favouring during your regular shop.
