Developing a new agenda for increased food and climate security

Highlights

● The urgent need to address increasing worldwide food and climate insecurity.

● Potential conflicts between these aims.

● Environmental challenges require a revolution in global farming practices.

● Growing concerns over diet-related health problems.

● New plant science to reduce global food insecurity.

Abstract

In many countries, political and environmental pressures are currently combining to generate a perfect storm of circumstances that is reducing food availability, increasing food costs and thereby reducing the availability of food to many. The UK is currently considering new national food and land management policies, and attention is also being given to legislation to address diet-related health issues. Many now argue for a revolution in UK farming practices to reduce their impact on the natural environment. The UK is not alone in facing these and other challenges. Both the contribution of agriculture to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the effects of climate change on food production are issues receiving worldwide attention. Regenerative agricultural practices can result in greater C capture, reduced GHG emissions, enhanced soil quality and enhanced biodiversity. However, it is questioned if such farming systems will be productive enough to feed a growing population with the food required for social and health benefits. To fully exploit the impact of new plant science in farmer fields, it is imperative to effectively link science to farming practices and conduct a broader conversation around the food revolution with social scientists and with the general public.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

climate resilience / food security / human health / planetary health / regenerative agriculture

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Compliance with ethics guidelines

William J. Davies declares that he has no conflicts of interest or financial conflicts to disclose. This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the author.

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