Greens Urge Climate Focus in Food Security Talks
The Greens welcome the national conversation stimulated today by an Australian Strategic Policy Institute report which highlights the need for stronger government leadership to ensure Australia’s food system is resilient enough to withstand current and future challenges – but are disappointed the report appears to downplay the risks of an accelerating climate breakdown.
The Greens warn that immediately mitigating emissions and showing policy leadership on meeting global climate targets is paramount to ensure global food security into the future.
As stated by Greens spokesperson for agriculture, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“This report rightly highlights how Australia has taken its food security for granted for too long, operating under the false assumption that the world will stay the same as it’s been in living memory.
“The climate crisis is changing the world so rapidly that the assumptions, policy approaches and economic frameworks that have traditionally supported Australia’s food security are no longer fit for purpose.
“The most important thing any government can do to help farmers and guarantee food security is radically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including banning all new coal and gas projects and rapidly transitioning to renewables.
“This simple but critical message was notably absent from this ASPI report, even though it identified climate change as a threat to food security.
“Only focussing on agricultural adaptation measures to address climate-related risks without recommending the need for meaningful emissions reductions is like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.
“This report is a timely reminder that few industries are more impacted by climatic disruption than farming. Many farmers are still putting off implementing carbon or methane reduction farming techniques, partly due to perceptions of cost and productivity, lack of technological readiness, but also a lack of policy clarity and support.
“By investing in climate action policies and sustainable practices that reduce methane emissions, increase on-farm renewables, and future-proof agriculture, the Greens are working to create a resilient and flourishing food system.”
https://greens.org.au/news/media-release/greens-welcome-calls-new-approaches-food-security-warn-meeting-climate-change