Joined up thinking

Food Science and TechnologyVolume 35, Issue 1 p. 18-20 OpinionFree Access Joined up thinking First published: 18 March 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/fsat.3501_5.xAboutSectionsPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text full-text accessPlease review our Terms Conditions of Use check box below share version article.I have read accept the Wiley Online Library UseShareable LinkUse link a this article with your friends colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Charlie Guy LettUs Grow considers between energy consumption food systems, arguing that producers will need work much closer together in future address climate change build more circular, sustainable economy. It may not feel like it at time year, but on planet we are blessed constant abundant stream warmth. Ultimately, all comes from sun before being transformed, stored or used some way. Fossil fuels derived organic matter produced using sun's energy; climatic differences drive weather systems solar panels roofs driven by sun. is fundamental source for individuals – powers everything do daily lives. For almost types food, produce Because simple concept, intrinsically intertwined. Bizarrely though, fact often overlooked supply chain, producers, way through distribution cold right end consumer. Our current system separates out different energy. Heat, electricity, fuel light as mere balance sheet inputs production many recorded all. This simplified leads cutting corners sake cost considering absolute impact production. Individuals fault here, past few centuries economic has led us think chains linear fashion muddied long-held practices stewardship land. Effectively, understanding what give take nature no longer balance. Through various revolutions transitioned distributed centralised systems. Energy The flows make global include components consider when buying products local supermarket greengrocers. Berners-Lee et al.1 an analysis (Figure 1), ultimately showing grow enough calories feed everyone planet, use distribute them efficiently equitably. Figure 1Open figure viewerPowerPoint (kcal/person/day) amount grown eaten crops fed animals, units based human population, animal population. left-hand bar divides into those directly edible humans grass, pasture & stover only animals. right-hand nutrients required healthy living net excess consumption. Animal losses inherent husbandry, such respiration, growth, movement reproduction wastage parts food. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.310.f1 Producing soil-grown lettuce requires following minimum: • Preparation soil, seed production, transportation seeds, drying storage farming infrastructure, fertiliser/pesticide Growing sun, application waste, machinery, labour, if greenhouse/vertical farm Harvesting fuel, refrigeration spoilage Processing packaging transforming raw materials Transportation chain refrigeration, freight lorry, boat long haul air travel Consumption home usage including cooking Waste throughout home. Each these processes either adds its journey plates loses along why wasting so severe, went producing also transport chain. Losses each stage, even they seem small, add up. Comparing al.’s electrical usage, average wasted per person equivalent 7.8bn people leaving reasonably-sized LED TV (64W) 24 hours day, 365 days year. Work underway field lifecycle analyses understand wider foods. be understood, quantified then reduced vision efficient combined system. A clear comparison can drawn development resources over last centuries. Centuries ago, were wood heat ourselves, sustain communities avoid over-consumption source. locally fulfil needs community had better prevent remain Fast-forward 21st Century paradigm large power stations electricity grids people, whose connection vibration their phone plug charge. There zero how where was produced. analogy sees swathes industrialised monocropping, focused certain areas globe. Products ingredients shipped half around world open packet experience flavours. Arguably there substantial ‘efficiencies’ economies scale kind model, cost? Is want next chapter look like? Renewable provides huge opportunity bring back decentralised In simplistic terms, wind well world, gives potential equitable access Renewables real energy, whilst revealing true reliance upon well. poses challenges, humble chloroplast plants long-ago worked capture store later on. We learn begin forward joined-up view Putting farmers stewards heart ensures links rebuilt So provide most way? Linking Firstly, challenge undertaken concepts intensification circular economy principles mind. Secondly, diversity solutions, both technical business innovations. silver bullet complex problem. Many solutions already emerging, albeit independently moment schemes supported agriculture enable benefit Can imagine schemes? Indoor farms Controlled environment (CEA) one emerging practice allows improve efficiency ways previously been possible agriculture. Using CEA, indoor farms, greenhouses vertical growth fresh controlled optimised. Water, nutrients, environmental conditions optimise output crop reduce resources. These allow enhance growing without impacting ensuring resource recapture technologies scale. They anywhere decentralised, help resilience While CEA increased use, offset requirements transportation, processing, storage, fertiliser pesticide usage. Increasing renewable mix grid time. perfect because, although spiky appear present problem, profile tuned grid. Plants good storing redundancy too, hence possibility form ‘battery’ becomes very whole. numerous flagship examples projects implementing worldwide, advanced Dutch greenhouse networks, Sundrop Farms Australia new heat, UK, Beeswax Dyson's strawberry facility. Partnerships companies UK looking incorporate existing anaerobic digestion show direction bringing again. Sustainable still big challenges ahead working future. To gas emissions achieve this, part strategy. Local consumers Guy, Managing Director, Grow, Bristol, Email [email protected] Web lettusgrow.com References 1Berners-Lee, Mike Kennelly, C. Watson, R. Hewitt, (2018). Current sufficient meet nutritional 2050 provided radical societal adaptation. Elem Sci Anth. 6. 52. 10.1525/elementa.310. Google Scholar Volume35, Issue1March 2021Pages FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation