Greetings and welcome to the Summer!
I am not normally alarmist, but increasingly find myself very concerned that our global food systems are under exceptional pressures. We might even say four frightening horse riders stalk our world at this time…
The first is called ‘Global Warming’.
A few months ago ASDA announced that it may not be able to guarantee supply of 95% of the foodstuffs it now sells in twelve months time. Most of the fresh produce sold in their shops is already at risk from climate change. The company’s director for sustainable business suggested that it is imperative that supermarkets start to think strategically about how to cope with the impacts of rising emissions. Weather unpredictability and extreme conditions are becoming real threats to producing food.
The second rider is ‘Energy Security’.
A massive challenge to our energy-hungry lifestyles is the strong possibility that we shall experience power cuts, especially in South West England in the next few years. Increased demand, lack of investment in new electricity sources and an ageing national grid will combine to disrupt supplies to our homes and workplaces. According to Offgen, by 2015, the national grid will not be able to provide sufficient energy for required consumption, and “there may have to be controlled disconnections of homes and businesses” (October 2012).
This also has implications for feeding ourselves as the distribution, storage and cooking of food is all energy-intensive.
Thirdly, ‘Species Extinction’.
We know human industrial activity is destroying animal and plant life at an unprecedented rate. For instance, there are well-founded concerns about the honey bees – not only the death by poison of individual bees but the additional possibility of ‘colony collapse disorder’. With almost a third of global farm output depends on animal pollination, largely by honey bees, this has enormous consequences for food security across the planet. No pollination – no fruit. No fruit – hunger, conflict, and, for some plants, no seeds for the next year… We lose flora and fauna thus upsetting ecological balances and which may conclude with disastrous consequences for us all.
Finally, the rider known as ‘Food Poverty’.
Very close to home are women, children, men, families even, who already face health and well-being difficulties because of poor diet, malnutrition and in some cases a lack of basic good food. Rising food and energy costs, stagnant wages, reduced job security and problematic changes to the welfare system – all of these factors have led to a continuous increase in the demand for food banks and the vital services they now provide. In 2013/14, Exeter Food Bank (one of 28 in Devon) provided food for 3,981 people – an increase of more than around 1,000 ‘mouths’ over the previous year. They say these numbers show no sign of decreasing any time soon. An indicative figure from a Devon Food Working Group suggests maybe around 20,000 at risk vulnerable people because of poor food across the County.
However, whilst we still have food on our plates in front of us, we would rather just take our food supplies for granted. Forget scaremongering and talk of scary horse riders. It’s much easier and convenient. Let’s tackle food shortages, for whatever reason, when they happen. This kind of thinking fits well into our care-free, laissez-faire economic and social culture.
The problem is that if we do hit severe problems, it will be too late. The nature of growing and producing most foods is that it needs time and it is seasonal. As a species, human beings have advanced significantly by being able to store food and distribute stocks when they’ve been needed. But the seriousness and scale of some of these issues is already stretching communities and countries. As the Mayor of New Orleans reminded us a few years ago (after Hurricane Katrina hit his city), ‘we are all only 3 meals away from social breakdown’.
Those with a stronger sense of ethics, especially people of faith and belief, hold that more equitable and just society has to be centred on a fair sharing of good food.
For Christians, ‘Give us this day our daily bread’ is an earthy plea in the Lord’s Prayer, followed by ‘and forgive us our debts’ – a recognition that we can systematically stop others from eating well because of our own selfishness. Those caught up in debt and poverty may not have adequate meals.
‘Do this in remembrance of me…’ is a reminder that it is in the sharing and eating of food that we can become more fully human. This is an outward and visible sign pointing to inner spiritual meaning. I think it is also a powerful message about equal distribution in the face of greed and possessiveness.
It is high time to recognise that we have responsibilities to care for one another and ourselves in our attitudes and our actions about food. The Russian writer Nicolai Berdyaev identified this when he said, ‘Bread for myself is a material question. Bread for my neighbour is a spiritual one.’
For all sorts of reasons we need to take food and eating more seriously – to improve our health and wellness; to respect nature and reduce damage to the earth; to be more sociable; to celebrate together; and to better understand how we connect with all life.
Maybe it’s a pity our political leaders don’t often share this kind of message with us!!
Green Action events for June:
1. Reading the Bible after Christendom is an event promoted by the Anabaptist Network and Mennonite Trust in partnership with Simply, at the Mint Methodist Church, Exeter on Saturday 7th June (leaflet)
2. The Apple Cart is a gentle intervention which invites you to take things slower, find creative solutions and become aware of your
own agency in shaping a different future. There will be free performances on Cathedral Green in Exeter at 11am
and 3pm on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th June as part of the Ignite Festival. There is more information about the piece here
http://www.fanshen.org.uk/current/a-is-for-apple/the-apple-cart.html
3. The Big Food Debate in Plymouth, 10th June, will explore some of the key food challenges facing the Southwest and the wider UK, and look at opportunities to promote healthy and sustainable food procurement in the region. (see attached)
4. Climate Change – Building the Will for Action. This was a series of talks at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London led by Christina Figueres on 7th May. Towards the end of her address, Ms Figueres said that our response must ultimately be a response of love – “Love for ourselves, our children and their children, love for our neighbours across the globe, love for our common home the Earth … because… ultimately we are all inter-related, interwoven with one another and with thisplanet we cannot replace.”
For listening or reading the talks click on http://www.churchcare.co.uk/images/May2014Newsletter.pdf
5. Make Devon a Traffick-Free Zone. Raising awareness through film with Exeter Anti-Slavery Group. ExeterUniversity, 4th June, 18.45 (details)
6. Light, Affordable and Green. Free conference on lighting churches in the South West. 2nd July 2014 at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Taunton (flyers attached with programme and booking information)
7. No Planet B Workshop, 7 – 11 July. This is a residential workshop for those who are concerned about the environmental crises facing our planet and who want to understand more, reflect more and do more. (attached flyer)
8. Hot Botts trial conclusions. The trialling of Hot Cushions for use in Devon churches to reduce heating costs has concluded and a short written analysis is available on request. In summary, it was felt that the use of these cushions as a form of supplementary heat could be beneficial to some people if the task of re-heating the pads was well organised. But they are not seen as replacing existing heating systems.
Final quote:
It is our profound conviction that the future of the human family depends also on how we safeguard – both prudently and compassionately, with justice and fairness – the gift of creation that our Creator has entrusted to us. Therefore, we acknowledge in repentance the wrongful mistreatment of our planet, which is tantamount to sin before the eyes of God. We reaffirm our responsibility and obligation to foster a sense of humility and moderation so that all may feel the need to respect creation and to safeguard it with care. Together, we pledge our commitment to raising awareness about the stewardship of creation; we appeal to all people of goodwill to consider ways of living less wastefully and more frugally, manifesting less greed and more generosity for the protection of God's world and the benefit of His people.