Revamping Food for Climate Change: Agroecology at COP28
Nestled amid the undulating hills of the Midwest, there lies a farm—a quilt of colors woven along the horizon. Rows of corn stand tall, flanked by sunflowers nodding in the breeze, while a patchwork of vegetables carpets the ground. This isn’t your usual modern-day farm; it’s a bustling community. Among the wheat and vegetables, a symphony of diversity hums—different plants interweaving, supporting, and thriving together. This isn’t just a place of cultivation; it’s a living example of agroecology—where nature’s harmony and balance takes center stage.
Image by Roman Synkevych.
Exploring Agroecology
Agroecology isn't just farming; it's a mindset—a way of growing food that mirrors nature. It’s a vision embracing biodiversity, community needs, and ecosystem preservation. Unlike the industrial food model of the past half-century, agroecology champions sustainability and long-term food security, resonating with movements advocating food sovereignty globally.
By mimicking natural systems, agroecology promotes diversity among plants, enriches soil health without chemicals, and champions harmony between farming and nature. It's sustainable, reducing environmental impact by using fewer chemicals and fostering resilient ecosystems. Plus, it's community-focused, with farmers sharing knowledge and adapting practices to their local environments. In essence, agroecology is about farming in sync with nature, ensuring food for today while safeguarding the planet for tomorrow.
Agroecology at COP28
As the world recently converged for the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, the urgency echoed through the fields. After COP27’s inaugural dedication to a food pavilion, food and food systems were at center stage this year. The urgency behind agroecology's discussion stems from the grim reality: our current industrialized agri-food system is a driver of climate change.
Image by Luke Thornton.
The current model heavily reliant on oil-based inputs and monocultures (growing one crop species in a field at a time) has decimated landscapes, eroded soil, and amplified greenhouse gas emissions. Its adverse impact disproportionately affects marginalized regions, signaling an impending crisis. These has been a call for the focus to shift to agroecology, which is endorsed by the IPCC, to offer hope for food security, health, and sustainability.
Complexities of Agroecology
Amidst the COP debates, terminologies like " sustainable intensification " collide with the agroecological vision. ‘Sustainable intensification’ is an approach concept of using innovations to increase productivity on existing agricultural land while simultaneously maintaining positive environmental and social impacts. Big meat and dairy corporations, major contributors to emissions, advocated for these high-tech or greenwashing solutions during COP28.
While some advocate for industrial farming's growth with less damage, Slow Food, a grassroots food-justice organization emphasizes that hunger stems from access and entitlement rather than mere availability. The debate isn't just about farming; it's about redefining sustainability to encompass social justice, livelihoods, and economic viability.
Image by Markus Spiske.
Pivotal Solutions for a Sustainable Future
Slow Food specifically has highlighted three pivotal steps:
Agroecology as a holistic approach, shifting away from resource-draining systems, preserving natural resources and food sovereignty;
Fossil fuel phase out in tandem with agroecology, shifting away from resource-draining systems. Nearly 15% of global fossil fuels burnt yearly link directly to food systems; and
Transforming the food system toward sustainable farming. Over 70% of countries lack food-focused strategies in their climate plans. Redirecting from industrial methods towards sustainable farming, like agroecology, not only safeguards the planet but also combats hunger, fosters employment, betters health, and protects biodiversity.
On December 10, 2023, COP28 marked the first-ever dedicated day to Food, Agriculture, and Water: Terra Madre Day. This is a day honoring good, clean, and fair food—showcasing local solutions fighting the climate crisis. From community-driven events like #FlashCOP to initiatives showcasing fair food for all, these actions echo a collective plea for a sustainable future.
Image by Megan Thomas.
As the sun sets on these discussions at COP, a beacon of hope shines bright. This type of farm isn’t a dream; it's a blueprint, showing that sustainable farming isn’t just theory—it's a practice waiting to be cultivated and flourish across fields far and wide.
Additional Reading
The Impact of the Beef Industry on Climate Change – Ricochet Science