One of the greatest impacts of climate change is connected to how we grow, move, eat, and waste food. Our industrial food system relies heavily on energy from fossil fuels, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and monoculture farming. It also produces a significant amount of waste. As a result of these practices, human health, soil health, and environmental health have been degraded for nearly a century. These same practices continue to accelerate climate change, causing droughts, fires, and other extreme weather patterns, and threatening farmer livelihoods and food security. The global food system today is one of the largest contributors to climate change, generating one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions.
Through Food Vision 2030, we have an opportunity to reimagine our relationship with nature and realize that food deeply intersects with climate change. We can invest in climate-smart agriculture, carbon sequestration, plant-rich diets, zero waste initiatives, indoor food production, and community-based food systems in San Diego County. We can fight climate change and create a more sustainable food system.
