CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING*
Phrases that embrace an entire scenario in just a few words are useful because they cut out the need for lengthy explanations. Only a few years ago, few of us would have thought that ‘food miles’ would enter our vocabularies to become one of today’s buzz phrases. The use of the term ‘food security’ is not entirely modern – it was certainly fundamental to the ability of these islands to survive during the First and Second World Wars.
But now the threats are different. Then they related to U-boats sinking the merchant shipping carrying much needed food to Britain. Modern threats to food security relate to climate change issues.
We know we need to reduce imports that involve thousands and thousands of food miles and result in huge carbon emissions. This means we must grow and produce more food in this country.
Fortunately we have some of the world’s best farmers and growers – but it isn’t simply a matter of their upping production. In recent years, UK farmers have suffered from cheap imports from countries where production costs are much, much lower than those in Britain. Confidence that was lost then is gradually returning – but our farming sector faces problems over which it has little control.
- We have a finite amount of land – and the Environment Agency is warning that we probably aren’t going to be able to save large tracts from the flooding that will inevitably result as melting ice in the polar regions causes sea levels to rise.
- Farming is very dependent on fossil fuels – both in relation to fossil-fuel based mineral fertilisers and synthetic pesticides and also for powering farm machinery.
Can we do anything to alleviate the problems? The short answer is ‘yes’ by
- Growing more of our own food in gardens, allotments – and on balconies and appropriate rooftops. Even window boxes, pots, baskets and tubs can be used to grow useful contributions.
- By buying UK-produced food, especially when it is regionally and locally produced, because this will reduce food miles and also give farmers the incentive to increase training and investment.
The challenges we face are serious ones. Planning for future food security is vital – and something governments and individuals must consider now – not when it is already too late.
FOOTNOTE: As part of its weeklong Festival, Hadlow College is offering a talk on Monday 8th June under the heading:
‘SUSTAINABILITY – what are the REAL issues behind this buzzword? How can we make meaningful contributions? Do we really need to become more sustainable – and what will happen if we don’t?
Speakers include Dr Howard Lee, an internationally recognised expert, Mark Lumsdon-Taylor and Richard Evans.
Tickets: £3.00 – mention Lenham Focus and obtain concessionary £2.00 rate.
Cheques payable to Hadlow College should be sent, with an SAE to Pat Crawford, Hadlow College, Hadlow TN11 OAL. Further information: 01732 853211.
Pat Crawford provides the Hadlow College Comment and Advice Column
I have been following Pat Crawford’s column and would just like to tell your readers about a very sorry sight I saw in Kent last Autumn. A huge container lorry with open sides had written angrily along its side – “Kent Apples going to the tip!”.
* Perhasp I can slightly amend this statement - "Man Made Climate Change is happening" Simon