Meat accounts for about 60% of greenhouse gas emissions from food production. As the globe is moving more towards our diet, we will probably need about four planet earths just to have the land necessary to feed the exploding demand for pork, chicken and beef. So I'm a big believer that we need to start looking at alternative proteins. We need to start making a more awareness out there of different alternatives, but and also stop picking winners and losers.
Our food and agricultural systems are helping fuel the climate emergency. But climate isn’t the only harm; these systems also impact local economies, human dignity, and animal welfare. The upcoming Farm Bill presents an opportunity to infuse more climate-smart practices in American agriculture, which accounts for about 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. But doing so involves confronting industrial practices that focus on short-term gains and commodity subsidies that have deep support in both parties.
Senator Cory Booker has a plan to address our broken food system. He introduced legislation that would challenge large industrial beef and pork packagers and tilt the balance of power in our industrial agriculture system, giving family farmers, ranchers, and workers a better deal. But what chance do these elements have of passage? And what other options are there for decreasing the concentration of power in Big Ag?
Guest:
Cory Booker United States Senator, New Jersey
Contributor:
Elizabeth Rembert
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