1. Carbon Conversations Impact of our food on climate change
Heather Anderson
Whitmuir Farm, EH46 7BB
Farmer and Food Campaigner

2. Food and carbon Food is the largest system in the world
25-30% of our carbon footprint at least
50% occur before the farm gate = 15% of globally
Mainly nitrous oxide and methane –
Nitrous oxide 310 times worse than CO2,
Methane 25 times worse than CO2
15-18% change of land use –
In last 25 years - 38% growth in land use for Soya, sugar cane, palm oil, rapeseed, maize
Less rice and wheat
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3. Planetary boundaries
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4. ASDA fresh food supply chain audit 2014:
95% at risk from climate change
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5. The way we are farming is wrecking the joint
50 % topsoil lost in last 100 years
50 % wildlife lost in last 40 years
98 harvests left in the UK
56 % decline in lapwings in last 20 years
11-22 times number of sprays on vegetable crops
Antibiotic resistance causing global concern
5 % Scottish population with type 2 Diabetes
10% NHS budget spent on Diabetes
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6. How does Organic Farming help
Farming organically reduces pre farm gate emissions by 23%
we don’t use artificial nitrogen
We work with the soil and the bugs and beasties instead of poisoning them
Greater biodiversity and carbon sequestration
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8. The global field on 2000m2
1 Wheat, 2 maize, 3 rice, 4 cereals/ grains, 5 oilseed, 6 soya bean, 7 cotton, 8 nuts, 9 fruit, 10 pulses, 11 fibres, 12 vegetables, 13 tubers- potato, sweet potato
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10. The European Field European field Importing 700m2 from rest of world
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11. So – What do we grow in Scotland anyway?
85% of the land in Scotland is ‘less favoured area’. Only 15% arable – opposite of England.
LFA means that agriculture in these areas faces natural constraints – of soil, temperature, wind, rain, aspect – or all of the above.
The productive areas of Eastern Scotland - plus small parts of Ayrshire and Dumfries grow most of the cereals, soft fruit and vegetables.
Most of the rest grows grass. And some grows heather – 60% of Scotland is rough grazing.
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12. Yellow Cattle and Sheep Purple Horticulture Red poultry Green Dairy
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13. However, we are living in revolutionary times….
We are in the third agricultural revolution
The first was in 1740s – the Enclosures then the Clearances, the industrial revolution, High Farming, urbanisation, slave trade, the Empire, sugar, worldwide diaspora
The second was in 1940s – ICI, artificial fertilisers, N.P.K Agriculture Act – pile it on, increase yield, don’t look down

14. Brexit change everything…..
But, as importantly, so does Paris –
Scotland aims to reduce emissions by 50% by 2020 and farming is key to that reduction
Based on Scottish Government numbers :
1990 – 18% from farming
2014 – 22% from farming
Farmers have reduced sheep and cattle stocking levels – but not changed much else – there is everything to play for
MtCO2e of which 14.2 MtCO2e was from agriculture
MtCO2e, of which 10.7 MtCO2e was agriculture
Sheep and cattle off hill – local supply chain fragile – abattoirs, distribution systems, dependence on England for processeing, Value Added
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15. Blaming the cows
Livestock’s long shadow UN FAO – 18% of man made global warming.
Estimated 73% increase in meat consumption between 2010 and 2050
Tackling Climate Change through Livestock Update 14.5% of man made global warming
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16. Grass or grain 6 kilos of grain to 1 kilo of beef
3.5 kilos of grain to 1 kilo of pork
2.5 kilos of grain to 1 kilo of poultry
But cattle and sheep are ruminants, they eat grass – converting non-human edible protein into human edible protein
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17. Carbon sequestration in grassland
Carbon sequestration transfers CO2 from atmosphere into the soil Ruminants grazing pasture fertilize the ground with their manure – stimulating growth Growing grass absorbs more CO2 from the atmosphere, creates roots which store CO2 within the soil and keeps it there- carbon sinks
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18. So what are our options 3 gates in the sheep handling pen
Gate 1 –Agribusiness as usual – larger farms, more commodity production, lower price
Gate 2 – Nature and Tourism – environmental museums, imported food and yurts
Gate 3 – A citizen’s agricultural policy– shorter supply chains, environmental farming and re-localised food, food for public good

19. Individually ….. Eat organic food from here and the rest of the world
Eat less but better meat
Become a food citizen, not a commodity consumer
Local is the first indicator of consciousness but it only tells you about geography
Organic tells you about land use, ecology, biodiversity, climate change, fairness and welfare –animal and human
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20. But more importantly, collectively and politically …..
Land Reform, land use and community empowerment
Social security - dignity and the right to food
Child poverty – bridging the attainment gap by bridging the nutrition gap
Climate Change – reduction in farming emissions
Diet plan – levy on processes food
Food waste target, circular economy
A new CAP – civic discussion
Good food nation – national consultation
Get involved, educate yourself, campaign, act