Advancing science-based solutions and sharing insights at the intersection of food, agriculture, land use, and climate change
Image
Drawdown Food
When we think of the causes of climate change, often the first thing that comes to mind is the use of fossil-fuels for electricity production, transportation, or industry.
At the same time, an equally significant, yet far less recognized, contributor to climate change often gets short shrift: the global food system. A whopping 22–33% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from the food, agriculture, and land use sector.
Image
Breakdown of global greenhouse gas emissions by sector and activity. Data: Minx et al. (2021) and IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, Working Group Three
The systems we use to feed humanity have created a huge problem for Earth’s climate. But they also offer a huge opportunity to help halt climate change.
By conducting and sharing the results of innovative research, Drawdown Food is helping businesses, impact investors, funders, and others identify and deploy their most effective actions across the spectrum of climate solutions associated with food, agriculture, and land use.
Image
The food system offers opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere in two main ways. Most of the potential lies in cutting emissions. Additional gains come from removing carbon from the air by restoring ecosystems and enhancing soil health.
Latest from Drawdown Food
Image
Greenwashing and denial won’t solve beef’s enormous climate problems
I’ll admit it: I like beef. Like many Americans, I was brought up to believe that beef was a central part of a traditional family meal. My mom made it. My kids ate it. Marketing campaigns told me it was healthy. Everywhere I went, I saw Americans eating lots of it. And for many years, I didn’t question these choices.
Read more
Image
Regenerative grazing is overhyped as a climate solution. We should do it anyway.
Animal agriculture has a climate problem.
Read more
Image
Are livestock feed additives the future or folly?
In 2022, I gave a presentation about climate change solutions to the Canadian Parliament. During that meeting, I had the opportunity to hear a presentation from a beef producers group about how they intended to rely on a new synthetic methane inhibitor (not approved in Canada at the time) as the heart of efforts to curb their greenhouse gas emissions.
Read more
Food-Related Climate Solutions
Food System Resources
Funders
Thank you to Alta Futures, Asia Philanthropy Circle, Global Methane Hub, and ZG Foundation for their support of the Drawdown Food initiative.