Ebook: Farming, food and nature: respecting animals, people and the environment

Livestock production and its use of finite resources is devastating biodiversity and pushing wildlife to the brink of extinction. This powerful book examines the massive global impact caused by intensive livestock production and then explores solutions, ranging from moving to agroecological farming to reducing consumption of animal products, including examples of best practice and innovation, both on land and within the investment and food industries. Leading international contributors spell out the problems in terms of planetary limits, climate change, resources, the massive use of cereals and soy for animal feed, and the direct impact of industrial farming on the welfare of farmed animals. They call for an urgent move to a flourishing food system for the sake of animals, the planet and us. Some offer examples of global good practice in farming or the power of the investment community to drive change, and others highlight food business innovation and exciting developments in protein diversification. Providing a highly accessible overview of key issues, this book creates a timely resource for all concerned about the environmental, social and ethical issues facing food, farming and nature. It will be an invaluable resource and provide inspiration for students, professionals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the general reader.;Introduction / Joyce D'Silva and Carol McKenna -- Setting the planetary scene. Livestock and the boundaries of our planet / Katherine Richardson -- The impacts of livestock production on the natural world. The great disappearing act / Philip Lymbery -- Biodiversity, extinction and livestock production / Tony Juniper -- Bees versus robots / Dave Goulson -- Conservation and the sacred cow / Dominic Wormell -- Protected Cerrado and sustainable diets: complementary pathways towards a more conscious appetite / Jean Francois Timmers -- The growing demand for fish: impacts on the environment, animal welfare and food security / Krzysztof Wotjas and Natasha Boyland -- The impact of livestock production on people. Livestock production and human rights or how the chicken came home to roost / Raj Patel -- The role of livestock in developing countries / Jimmy Smith -- The significance of sentience in wild and farmed animals. Beyond words: what animals think and feel / Carl Safina -- Creatures of the factory farm / Joyce D'Silva -- The scientific basis for action on animal welfare and other aspects of sustainability / Donald M. Broom -- Green and pleasant farming: cattle, sheep and habitat / John Webster -- Solutions for people, planet and animals. Agroecology working in Africa: the case of sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) / Janet Maro -- Balancing the needs of food production, farming and nature in the UK uplands / Chris Clark and Pat Thompson -- Chikolongo- a win for people and parks / Joseph Okori and Peter Borchert -- Silvopastoral systems: a feasible step towards environmentally sustainable livestock systems in Mexico / Karen F. Mancera -- Farming in harmony with nature / Patrick Holden -- Food policy for the future. Paying for the true costs of our meat, eggs and dairy / Peter Stevenson -- Changing the world, one meal at a time / Martin Palmer -- The sustainable development goals: challenge or opportunity? / Hans R. Herren -- Rethinking our global food systems / Jonathon Porritt -- Sustainability in the agro-food sector / Karl Falkenberg -- Farming insects for food or feed / Phil Brooke -- Hopeful signposts to a plant-based future / Carol McKenna -- Healthy and sustainable diets. Healthy and sustainable dietary patterns for prevention of chronic diseases and premature death / Elena Hemler and Frank B. Hu -- The threat to public health from livestock production / Aysha Akhtar -- Food, feed and sustainable diets / Duncan Williamson -- Conserving biodiversity through sustainable diets / Glyn Davies -- The case for veganism / Andrew Knight and Jasmijn de Boo -- Investing in a flourishing food system. Corporate engagement strategies to improve farm animal welfare and why they work / Leah Garces -- The power of investor influence / Rosie Wardle -- The role of business in reducing meat and dairy consumption / Michael Pellman Rowland -- Plant-based and clean meat will save the world / Bruce Friedrich -- Conclusion / Joyce D'Silva and Carol McKenna.