Sustainable Bites: 16th August 2023

And for the main…

The World Farmers’ Organisation says ‘no’ to lab-grown food

Representing over 1.2 billion farmers across the globe, the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) has taken a firm stance against the adoption of lab-grown food as an alternative to meat products. In a recent position paper, the WFO instead points to sustainable agriculture as a viable way forward. The paper raises concerns regarding the potential impact of lab-grown food on global food security, food safety and human health, cultural heritage and the livelihoods of farming communities.

Newly licensed in the US, rejected by Italy and under review in many other nations, lab-grown meat is created using tissues or cells. Proponents claim that these processes are more sustainable than agricultural production methods. The WFO firmly rejects this narrative, citing a lack scientific evidence.

A recent report by the FAO and WHO, titled “Food Safety Aspects of Cell-Based Food“, makes it clear that there is, to date, no reliable evidence that can accurately compare lab-grown food to that produced by farmers. In fact, many of the claims around lab-grown food – such as those regarding land and water use, greenhouse gas emissions and animal welfare – have yet to be proved. There’s also no research showing its long-term effects on nutrition and public health. As the WFO argues, promoting these products not only dismisses the contribution of farmers to sustainability, but also serves to push consumers towards an increasingly homogenous global diet that endangers the “tradition, diversity, richness, quality and uniqueness” of regional food systems.

The WFO says, “The role of farmers is essential in shaping resilient and sustainable food systems. Achieving sustainability involves embracing diverse agricultural systems, ensuring inclusiveness and transparency, and promoting research and innovation while preserving tradition.”

The statement points toward the need for creativity in improving the efficiency of “real agriculture” and calls for collaboration among farmers, researchers and stakeholders to find ways to produce, process, distribute and consume food sustainably, delivering sustainable solutions to the challenges inherent in our food systems. The Organisation also calls for stronger connections between consumers, policymakers and agricultural communities to promote a better understanding of the benefits of agriculture, reminding the world of the invaluable and irreplaceable role that farmers play in feeding the planet sustainably.

Extreme weather decimates Italian crops

Farmers association Coldiretti says pear yields in Italy are down 63% compared to last year, attributing this to a combination of flooding, hailstones, record-high temperatures and non-native insect attacks. Harvests of grapes, watermelons, apricots, tomatoes and aubergines have suffered similar losses. The analysis by Coldiretti also highlights 10% drops in wheat and milk production and a 14% decrease in grape yields.

With bees “too exhausted” by the heat, even honey production has plummeted by a massive 70% – especially worrying when you consider bees’ crucial role in pollination.

Erratic weather has been a regular feature across much of the world in recent weeks, and Italy is no exception. Last month, the country edged close to its highest-ever temperature record as areas across the Mediterranean sweltered under intense heatwaves, with numerous deadly wildfires sparked. Meanwhile, Lombardy in the north of Italy was slammed by hailstones the size of tennis balls. In fact, Italy has been facing repeated climate disasters; in May, 15 people died in torrential flooding in Emilia-Romagna.

Unpredictable and intense weather patterns – combined with increased energy costs – continue to pose risks in terms of food production, prices and security.

Saudi Arabia’s new plan to tackle food security

Saudi Arabia has enlisted the help of a Dutch horticultural company to build a horticulture area in the kingdom. Van der Hoeven specialises in creating, constructing and operating sustainable greenhouse projects that can grow year-round crops even in countries with extreme climates.

This planned horticultural area is destined to be built on the outskirts of NEOM, a new city under construction in the Tabuk Province. Van der Hoeven has been given a ‘design, build and operate’ contract for two separate horticultural test facilities as part of this development. The goal is for NEOM to become the world’s most food self-sufficient region, able to supply its residents with diverse, healthy food while preserving natural resources and reducing waste.

Van der Hoeven has been tasked with building and operating test facilities in two different climate zones to serve as ‘commercial scale pilots’, covering a combined area of over 110,000 square meters. According to the company’s website, one location will see a novel solar and seawater driven cooling system “to operate the greenhouse throughout the extreme summer heat without making use of fossil fuels or putting a strain on local energy grids.”

Michiel Schoenmaeckers, CEO of Van der Hoeven, said of the venture: “A design, build and operate contract of this scale is unprecedented in the industry and thus we are very pleased to have been selected. As Van der Hoeven, we have a rich tradition in creating sustainable horticultural solutions to the highest technical and environmental standards. The scope of this contract allows us to realise and demonstrate the latest technologies, with the aim of bringing the horticultural industry forward on a global scale in terms of carbon neutral climate control, efficient water management and A.I.-driven crop growing and harvesting.”

This is one of many projects that Saudi Arabia is investing in with the aim of safeguarding future food security. Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture signed two new deals to boost plant-based food production and to promote the use of locally grown crops to develop meat and dairy alternatives. The Ministry also announced plans to build a new research centre that will advance agricultural product development and improve technologies for producing meat and dairy substitutes.

Northern China braces for the impact of second typhoon

Still grappling with the devastation caused by Typhoon Doksuri two weeks ago, Northern China is preparing for more rainfall with the arrival of Typhoon Khanun. Last Thursday, China's Hebei province upgraded its emergency response to the highest level in preparation for further extreme weather.

Hebei was hit by more than a year's rainfall in early August, having a devastating impact on crops and agricultural equipment. After an inspection of affected areas, Agriculture Minister Tang Renjian said that its imperative that local authorities step up measures to prevent and control major disease outbreaks caused by dead animals, pests and insects. Tang stressed that waterlogging must also be reduced, with floodwaters from planted fields drained to minimise crop losses.

Farms across the province have been severely affected by the floods – the worst in decades – with livestock drowning in floodwaters and crops destroyed. Clean water supply was cut off in some rural areas, while some cities such as Shijiazhuang saw water pipes and wells destroyed, affecting tens of thousands of people.

Khanun is expected to bring heavy rainfall in northeastern Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces from this Friday. The typhoon will heighten flooding risk in areas where water levels are still high and soils already saturated.

A sweet treat to finish 

Climate-related vocabulary added to British Sign Language

Led by Dr Audrey Cameron, the sign language project at Edinburgh University has just added 200 new environmental science terms to the BSL dictionary.

"We're trying to create the perfect signs that visualise scientific concepts," Dr Cameron told the BBC.

Previous to these additions, sign language was missing many of the key terms we use to share information about environmental issues. Many commonly-used phrases like ‘greenhouse gases’ would have to be spelled out one painstaking letter at a time, making it incredibly frustrating for educators, scientists or anyone who wished to have a lengthy or detailed conversation around the topic. The team behind the update hopes this new vocabulary will make it possible for deaf people to participate in and contribute to discussions about climate change, and will support deaf children in schools.

The science glossary project, funded in part by the Royal Society, has added about 7,000 new signs to BSL since 2007. This latest batch of new signs is themed around biodiversity, ecosystems, the physical environment and pollution. There is a video glossary available online in which the new signs are demonstrated.