Volts

Reducing the climate impacts of food and farming

62 snips
Jun 27, 2025
Michael Grunwald, a journalist and author focused on agriculture's climate impact, shares insightful perspectives on the complexities of food production. He discusses the challenges of biofuels and emphasizes the need for sustainable farming practices amidst a growing population. Grunwald explores the potential of meat alternatives while critiquing food waste and the role of innovative fertilizers. The conversation highlights how regenerative agriculture can enhance soil health, pushing us to rethink our diet choices for a more sustainable future.
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INSIGHT

Agriculture's Major Climate Role

  • Agriculture causes about a third of climate problems yet gets only 2% of climate finance and 0.5% of climate conversation.
  • It drives deforestation, wetland destruction, and major pollution issues, making it a central environmental challenge.
INSIGHT

Farming's Inherent Tradeoffs

  • Farming inherently damages nature due to land conversion; farming type matters less than land use change.
  • The challenge is to produce more food on less land with fewer emissions while preserving biodiversity.
INSIGHT

Biofuels' Hidden Environmental Cost

  • Biofuels appear carbon neutral in isolation but cause indirect land use change, increasing emissions.
  • It took decades for science to account for this; ignoring it has worsened deforestation, especially in Brazil.
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