Coffee Break Seminar: Balancing sustainable domestic food production with overseas biodiversity consequences

Duration: 51 mins 39 secs

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Description:	A short presentation by Thomas Ball (Research Associate, Zoology, University of Cambridge) on Balancing sustainable domestic food production with overseas biodiversity consequences followed by a Q&A and discussion with the speaker. Date: Friday, 17 November, 2023 - 14:00 Event location: online https://www.globalfood.cam.ac.uk/events/coffee-break-seminar-balancing-sustainable-domestic-food-production-overseas-biodiversity

Description:

A short presentation by Thomas Ball (Research Associate, Zoology, University of Cambridge) on Balancing sustainable domestic food production with overseas biodiversity consequences followed by a Q&A and discussion with the speaker. Date: Friday, 17 November, 2023 - 14:00 Event location: online

https://www.globalfood.cam.ac.uk/events/coffee-break-seminar-balancing-sustainable-domestic-food-production-overseas-biodiversity


Created:	2024-01-26 15:17
Collection:	Global Food Security
Publisher:	University of Cambridge
Copyright:	University of Cambridge
Language:	eng (English)
Keywords:	netzero; food security; food system;


Abstract:	Abstract: Despite producing over half of our food domestically (with a food ‘self-sufficiency’ of 60% in 2022 according to Defra) the biodiversity footprint of the UK’s food supply is overwhelmingly concentrated overseas. Not only this, but a significant portion of this impact is disproportionately driven by the consumption of a handful of commodities, contributing to only a small portion of food energy intake. In this seminar I will describe in brief the methods used to arrive at these conclusions and highlight the need to tread carefully in a policy landscape that appears to be incentivising an increase in food imports to the UK and comparable nations. Speaker: Coming from a background in astrophysics, Tom completed his PhD in environmental sciences at the University of East Anglia in 2022, where his research centred around global food system modelling and land-use in the context of energy crop production and forestry. Now, he is a research associate in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge, where he uses global models to explore the need to feed a growing global population whilst minimising the cost to nature and humanity.

Abstract:

Abstract:

Despite producing over half of our food domestically (with a food ‘self-sufficiency’ of 60% in 2022 according to Defra) the biodiversity footprint of the UK’s food supply is overwhelmingly concentrated overseas. Not only this, but a significant portion of this impact is disproportionately driven by the consumption of a handful of commodities, contributing to only a small portion of food energy intake. In this seminar I will describe in brief the methods used to arrive at these conclusions and highlight the need to tread carefully in a policy landscape that appears to be incentivising an increase in food imports to the UK and comparable nations.

Speaker:

Coming from a background in astrophysics, Tom completed his PhD in environmental sciences at the University of East Anglia in 2022, where his research centred around global food system modelling and land-use in the context of energy crop production and forestry. Now, he is a research associate in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge, where he uses global models to explore the need to feed a growing global population whilst minimising the cost to nature and humanity.

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