Food for Thought: Create New England Regional Food System That Addresses Climate Crisis, Feeds Everyone – ecoRI News

A Robust Regional Food System for New England: A Report on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A robust regional food system is crucial for New England to address the climate crisis and ensure food security. The vulnerability of the global food system has been exposed by the pandemic and escalating climate change. The collapse of the global food system is imminent.

The Need for a Regional Food System

John Marsham, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Leeds, warns that major crop losses in different regions of the world will impact food availability and prices in the coming decades. To meet the aspirational goal set nearly a decade ago, New England needs to produce 50% of its own food by 2060. However, currently, only about 10% of the food consumed in New England is produced locally.

The Challenges and Goals

A New England Food Vision report published in 2014 outlines the need to triple the amount of farmland in production from 2 million acres to 6 million acres to achieve the 50% goal. However, Rhode Island struggles to maintain even 6% of farmland under cultivation. The report also highlights that a mid-20th-century level of farmland acreage would support the production of all vegetables, half of fruits, all grass-fed dairy, beef, and lamb, and all pastured pork, poultry, and eggs in New England. The remaining 50% of food would need to be imported.

Barriers to a Regional Food System

The main barrier to expanding local food production is the lack of available farmland. Rhode Island, in particular, has lost 80% of its farmland to development. Additionally, the high cost of farmland, such as $17,500 per acre in Rhode Island compared to the national average of $3,800, makes it difficult for local farmers to compete with imported produce.

Progress and Initiatives

Despite the challenges, Rhode Island has made progress in nurturing a more locally based food system. The state has invested $25 million in food, farming, and fishing/aquaculture businesses over the past six years. Partnerships between organizations like Farm Fresh Rhode Island, Southside Community Land Trust, and Eating with the Ecosystem have helped increase access to fresh, local food.

The Role of Sustainable Development Goals

A regional food system that encompasses New England is essential for food security, a resilient economy, and mitigating climate change impacts. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Zero Hunger, Climate Action, and Sustainable Cities and Communities. The federal government and state agencies are recognizing the value of investing in regional food systems.

Building a Regional Food System

Building a regional food system requires strong political will and substantial funding. It involves addressing the needs of small and mid-sized growers and producers, removing financial barriers for aspiring farmers, improving education about food and nutrition, simplifying food-safety regulations, and supporting food-assistance programs for low-income families. It also requires land-use policy changes that prioritize a local food system and reducing reliance on cheap, processed foods.

The Importance of a Resilient Fishery

A resuscitated and reimagined New England fishery is essential for a 50% regional food system. The warming marine waters require infrastructure changes and environment-friendly fishing practices. Retaining more of the seafood harvested in New England and increasing shellfish aquaculture are key components of a revamped seafood production industry.

Relish Rhody and Future Plans

The Relish Rhody initiative in Rhode Island aims to build a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable food system. Efforts are underway to renew the state’s food strategy and align it with a regional food system report titled New England Feeding New England: Cultivating A Reliable Food Supply. The goal is to reach 30% of the region’s food produced locally by 2030. The updated food plan, Relish Rhody 2.0, will be launched by spring 2024.

Inclusivity and Social Justice

Any future vision of a regional food system must prioritize inclusivity and social justice. It should ensure access to good food for all, regardless of socioeconomic status. Addressing inequities is crucial for the growth and sustainability of the food system.

Conclusion

A robust regional food system is essential for New England to address the climate crisis, ensure food security, and achieve Sustainable Development Goals. It requires strong political will, substantial funding, and a comprehensive approach that considers land use, agriculture, seafood production, and social justice. By investing in a regional food system, New England can secure a safe and healthy food supply for its residents.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

Specific Targets:

1. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
2. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
3. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
4. Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
5. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
6. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
7. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

Indicators:

• Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment
• Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
• Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease
• Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate
• Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
• Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis:

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

– SDG 2: Zero Hunger

– SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

– SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

– SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

– SDG 13: Climate Action

– SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: ecori.org

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.