1st Edition

Farming, Food and Nature Respecting Animals, People and the Environment

Edited By Joyce D'Silva, Carol McKenna Copyright 2018
    302 Pages 31 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    302 Pages 31 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Livestock production and its use of finite resources is devastating biodiversity and pushing wildlife to the brink of extinction. This powerful book examines the massive global impact caused by intensive livestock production and then explores solutions, ranging from moving to agroecological farming to reducing consumption of animal products, including examples of best practice and innovation, both on land and within the investment and food industries.

    Leading international contributors spell out the problems in terms of planetary limits, climate change, resources, the massive use of cereals and soy for animal feed, and the direct impact of industrial farming on the welfare of farmed animals. They call for an urgent move to a flourishing food system for the sake of animals, the planet and us. Some offer examples of global good practice in farming or the power of the investment community to drive change, and others highlight food business innovation and exciting developments in protein diversification. Providing a highly accessible overview of key issues, this book creates a timely resource for all concerned about the environmental, social and ethical issues facing food, farming and nature. It will be an invaluable resource and provide inspiration for students, professionals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the general reader.

    1. Introduction

    Joyce D’Silva and Carol McKenna

    Part I Setting the Planetary Scene

    2. Livestock and the Boundaries of our Planet

    Katherine Richardson

    Part II The Impacts of Livestock Production on the Natural World

    3. The great disappearing act

    Philip Lymbery.

    4. Biodiversity, Extinction and Livestock Production.

    Tony Juniper

    5. Bees versus Robots

    Dave Goulson

    6. Conservation and the sacred cow

    Dominic Wormell

    7. Protecting the Cerrado and Sustainable diets: Complementary pathways towards a more conscious appetite

    Jean François Timmers

    8. The growing demand for fish: impacts on the environment, animal welfare and food security.

    Krzysztof Wotjas and Natasha Boyland

    Part III The Impact of Livestock Production on People

    9. Livestock Production and Human Rights or How the Chicken Came Home to Roost

    Raj Patel

    10. The role of livestock in developing countries

    Jimmy Smith

    Part IV The significance of sentience in wild and farmed animals

    11. Beyond Words: What Animals Think & Feel

    Carl Safina

    12. Creatures of the Factory Farm.

    Joyce D’Silva

    13. The scientific basis for action on animal welfare and other aspects of sustainability

    Donald M. Broom

    14. Green and pleasant farming: cattle, sheep and habitat.

    John Webster

    Part V Solutions for people, planet and animals

    15. Agroecology working in Africa: The Case of Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT)

    Janet Maro

    16. Balancing the needs of food production, farming and nature in the UK uplands

    Chris Clark & Pat Thompson

    17. Chikolongo – a win for people and parks

    Joseph Okori and Peter Borchert

    18. Silvopastoral systems: A feasible step towards environmentally sustainable livestock systems in Mexico

    Karen F Mancera

    19. Farming in harmony with nature

    Patrick Holden

    Part VI Food Policy for the future

    20. Paying for the true costs of our meat, eggs and dairy

    Peter Stevenson

    21. Changing the world, one meal at a time

    Martin Palmer

    22. The Sustainable Development Goals: challenge or opportunity?

    Hans R Herren

    23. Rethinking our global food systems

    Jonathon Porritt

    24. Sustainability in the Agro-Food sector

    Karl Falkenberg

    25. Farming insects for food or feed

    Phil Brooke

    26. Hopeful signposts to a plant-based future

    Carol McKenna

    Part VII Health and sustainable diets

    27. Healthy and Sustainable Dietary Patterns for Prevention of Chronic Diseases and Premature Death

    Elena Hemler and Frank B. Hu

    28. The threat to Public Health from Livestock Production.

    Aysha Akhtar

    29. Food, feed and sustainable diets

    Duncan Williamson

    30. Conserving biodiversity through sustainable diets

    Glyn Davies

    31. The case for veganism

    Andrew Knight and Jasmijn de Boo

    Part VIII Investing in a Flourishing Food System

    32. Corporate engagement strategies to improve farm animal welfare and why they work

    Leah Garces

    33. The Power of Investor Influence

    Rosie Wardle

    34. The Role of Business in Reducing Meat and Dairy Consumption

    Michael Pellman Rowland

    35. Plant-Based & Clean Meat Will Save The World

    Bruce Friedrich

    36. Conclusion

    Joyce D’Silva and Carol McKenna

    Biography

    Joyce D’Silva is Ambassador Emeritus for Compassion in World Farming, the leading charity advancing the welfare of farm animals worldwide. She is co-editor of The Meat Crisis (second edition 2017).

    Carol McKenna is Special Advisor to the Chief Executive of Compassion in World Farming and organised the Extinction and Livestock Conference on which this book is based.

    "A wide range of experts and policy makers explore innovative ideas and solutions for the future of the planet, with a focus on our health and food systems. I strongly recommend reading this book to anyone interested in a sustainable diet and a healthy environment, as well as animal welfare." Hilal Elver, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food

    "The weight of evidence for changing the food system is now overwhelming, yet resistance to change is stubborn. We are all part of that. No one likes to think they aren’t in control of what they eat. How can we unlock this mismatch? This book is an important collection of arguments why we must and what needs to happen." Tim Lang, Centre for Food Policy, City, University of London, UK