Pico Analytics Fortnightly Newsletter: Our Food for Thought Edition
As prices skyrocket and people have to choose between heating and eating, whilst struggling to pay council tax, mortgages/rent, rising transport costs and other unexpected household bills, personal finances are taking a hit like never before. Understandably, when our hard earned cash is under so much pressure it can be difficult to justify the high expense of ethical shopping and the idea of sustainability all but circles the drain. Though items like Fairtrade bananas and sustainably sourced chocolate may have become a store cupboard staple, some products are not faring so well with sectors such as organic produce struggling to survive as customers are forced into choosing cheaper alternatives and rising production costs leave farmers in the difficult position of retaining their ethics and working at a loss or returning to more lucrative, less sustainable farming practices. Finding a middle-ground may feel impossible in these difficult times and thinking about how we shop and where we source our food from may seem trivial but, in an increasingly interconnected world, the purchasing habits of a nation can not only improve the lives of farmers on the other side of the world but also protect endangered species and give a much needed boost to previously crippled ecosystems.
So, how do we find the balance between meeting our food and energy needs whilst reducing intensive farming and bringing an end to the use of dirty fossil fuels? How can we protect waterways from pollution whilst ensuring access to sanitation and clean drinking water for communities across the globe? How can we jump from protecting some of the world's tiniest creatures to recycling and repurposing food waste? Well, there are some brilliant and innovative people who are focusing on finding new opportunities to achieve all of these things and more. In the process the all-important ESG's, which are currently at a tipping point, could see new life and possibly find some degree of short-term stability. In the longer term the key projects that work towards the environmental and social goals that will make our world a better, more sustainable and more beautiful place to live will rely on not only the changes in consumer habits but also on those financial institutions who can invest in sustainable practices and also put pressure on other businesses to change behaviours. When financial institutions become accountable for their actions by taking the time to analyse where their investments are going right down to a grassroots level and taking into account previously ignored areas such as scope 3 emissions they can begin to contribute to overall sustainability and help to redefine finance for the 21st Century.
This edition hopes to provide you with some useful food for thought ranging from rethinking misinterpretations of the IPCC report, to contemplating the nuclear energy turnaround in South Korea. These stories shine a light on some of the most concerning and questionable behaviours of governments and businesses around the world. Food and water is the prevailing theme of this edition in recognition of the cost of living crisis and the difficulties faced by many in being able to afford to put food on the table for their families. In our sustainability spotlight we have included a successful new app which aims to reduce food waste and which we hope our readers will try out the next time you have a surplus of food. This newsletter, as usual, will provide a short summary of some of the most notable, informative and quirky recent climate stories in the hope that it provides inspiration and insight into climate news from around the world. Finally, we want to hear from you, our readers, about any topics that interest you, which we can either produce research papers on or include stories in future newsletters.
OUR
TOP STORIES
Key Aspect of IPCC Climate Report being Misinterpreted
by Matt McGrath 17th April 2022
There are worries that a key aspect of the recent IPCC report is being misinterpreted and used out of context to justify increasing emissions. According to a recent BBC article the statement made by the report researchers on the projected greenhouse gas emissions peaking "at the latest before 2025" implies that carbon emissions are free to continue increasing for another three years. However, this is being widely disputed by scientists who want to make clear that emissions need to fall immediately if we want to keep the rise in global temperatures under 1.5°.
The confusion over the wording of the report summary is due to statements such as "global greenhouse gases are projected to peak between 2020 and at the latest by 2025, in global modelled pathways that limit warming to 1.5C". This has led many to conclude that we can continue to have emissions rise until 2025, however, Glen Peters (Centre for International Climate Research, Oslo, IPCC lead author) is worried that this unfortunate choice of wording could have some negative consequences. Thankfully, he has explained what went wrong and it is all down to the climate models used by scientists which work in five-year blocks. Unfortunately, the current system leaps from 2020 to 2025 and makes no reference to the years in between meaning that statements cannot be made with more precision making it even more important to take the time to read through the supporting scientific data.
Scientists and governments were not only faced with difficulties with wording but also with timing. With Covid-19 having delayed the report by about a year much of the information used came from models that shockingly predicted a peak in 2020 meaning that we have already passed by another tipping point. This caused a lengthy debate on the immediacy of actions needing to be taken and how a public message can be relayed that is both scientifically accurate without being policy prescriptive. Though words such as 'now' and 'immediately' were avoided in the final report citing that if people read the report in the future the wording would carry less weight many believe that this was a mistake. With news reports and social media often conveying the complex messaging of climate change in far simpler ways which possess a far greater influence than scientific reports there are worries that giving countries the impression that they can continue letting emissions grow for another three years would cause a global disaster. With only eight years to halve emissions, using 2025 as a benchmark to start emissions reductions measures means that we don't stand a chance.
Organic UK Dairy Farmers Fear for the Future with Soaring Prices
by Tom Levitt 16th April 2022
Organic dairy, for so long the sector’s success story, is facing a crisis of confidence, with fears about whether people will keep buying organic milk, butter and cheese as food prices soar.
Milk and dairy in the UK have been in a pricing tug of war for years, which has left hard working farmers struggling to make ends meet whilst consumers try to keep the cost of their basket low. With ethical shopping still new to the majority of consumers the organic dairy market is in desperate need of a PR turn around and fast! As some UK organic dairy farmers find themselves being paid a lower milk price than conventional non-organic competitors the spiralling on-farm costs are starting to bite. Organic feed prices have tripled since the start of the pandemic as high shipping costs have affected the supply of organic soy (feed) from Asia. The sector has struggled to engage customers and recorded little growth in the UK over the past five years (1% of cheese and 5% of milk) compared with other European countries. Retailers claim that organic milk and dairy is struggling due to the new standards and commitments being rolled out across non-organic producers and the stiff competition from alternative plant-based milks which have found popularity with the increase in vegan lifestyles.
Unsurprisingly, producers are now starting to move away from organic farming as the milk prices and feed costs become untenable. However, David Williams (chief executive of the Organic Milk Suppliers Co-operative) thinks that there is a way to turn things around. By finding a positive message that can be passed on to consumers who will not only see the hard work involved in organic farming but also convince them to shop more ethically and change their purchasing habits. This may be difficult to achieve however, as Mr. Williams believes that organic needs to put 10p per litre more on their milk than conventional farming systems. So, what is it that makes organic produce so expensive and is it all worthwhile when so many are questioning if there is any difference between your average product and its organic counterpart?
Well, organic farms must be certified by eliminating the use of antibiotics, ensuring cows have access to outdoor grazing and now are trialling carbon audits. Artificial fertilisers also cannot be used on their feed meaning that the entire system has to change from a grassroots level in order for a product to be considered organic. Farms are audited yearly meaning that farmers must comply with strict organic rules to the letter which ensures their accountability and commitment to protecting wildlife and the environment. Understandably, consumers are doing everything to keep the costs of their baskets down during the cost of living crisis and with organic produce lacking an eye-catching packaging which conveys their credentials to customers it will be an uphill battle to make struggling consumers hand over their hard earned cash. So, we must ask if it is time for conventional farming to catch up with their organic counterparts or will organic farming continue to struggle without the support of retail and consumers who's ethical shopping habits are contingent on the state of the economy.
Incoming South Korean Government Plans Nuclear Fuel U-turn
by Christian Davies 13th April 2022
South Korean president Moon Jae-in has spent much of his time in office trying to reduce the share of nuclear power in South Korea's energy mix, a policy which had actually increased greenhouse gas emissions and threatened to increase energy bills. Now, the incoming government is planning to reverse the country's nuclear phase out in a plan to reduce the country's dependence on fossil fuel imports. Won Hee-ryong (policy chief on President-elect Yun Suk-yeol's transition committee) has made it clear that though South Korea is planning to stick to its carbon neutrality commitments, the methods for achieving their aims will require reforms that are "honest, realistic and responsible".
Scientists and government officials have recognised how unviable Moon's previous plans have been as the Ukraine crisis has caused a significant spike in energy prices and called into question energy security for many nations. The crisis has left South Korea, one of the world's top five energy importers, in a difficult position when attempting to balance international sanctions with domestic requirements for energy. For South Korean energy companies such as Korea Western Power this has meant continuing existing contracts with Russia but stopping any new contracts for the time being. Meanwhile, South Korea continues to play host to 24 nuclear reactors which supply 26% of the country's electricity. Under Moon's phase out the aim was to reduce this number to 17 reactors by suspending plant construction and retiring old ones with many advocates citing the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and Germany's total elimination of nuclear power. Domestic critics of this policy have pointed to the lack of alternative energy sources such as solar and wind which currently only cover 4.7% of South Korea's electricity generation (half the global average) whilst 67% of energy is generated via coal or natural gas. It is believed that the reason behind South Korea continuing to cling to dirty fossil power is due to the state-owned utility company Kepco which has the monopoly over the power sector. Kepco has a vested interest in maintaining its legacy fossil fuel assets and in protecting them will continue to have a negative impact on the natural world.
Water for Sustainable Development
by SDG Knowledge Hub 14th April 2022
“Without a functioning, resilient water cycle for all people everywhere,” human health, environmental integrity and a sustainable, equitable future “will remain out of reach.” Yet today, two billion people rely on unsafe drinking water sources, and half of the world’s population lack safely managed sanitation.
The SDG Knowledge Hub has published an excellent update on the global plans for the 2018-2028 Water Decade. In the run up to the fourth Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Kumamoto, Japan and the UN 2023 Water Conference this excellent article provides an overview of the UN-Water process and all relevant updates.
With the UN 2023 Water Conference expected to be the most significant meeting in a generation focused on catalysing action for SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation). Governments and organisation’s have started to recognise the importance of water in achieving and supporting other SDGs making the social, environmental and economic objectives of the International Water Decade yet more important. In 2020 and 2021 the UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) established a resolution which would, with its actions, lead up to the 2023 conference and hopefully bring about the voluntary Global Water Pact commitments that will help to achieve success for SDG 6. There actions were as follows;
"Assess implementation progress in the first half of the Decade;
Identify possible challenges and obstacles related to the achievement of the objectives of the Decade;
Exchange views and develop actions and initiatives needed to accelerate progress;
Support further action and initiatives, and enhance means of implementation, partnerships, and cooperation at all relevant levels;
Share ongoing efforts, best practices, and experience;
Involve all relevant stakeholders from governments, the UN, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academia, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, and others;
Invite States and other relevant stakeholders to announce voluntary commitments contributing to the implementation of the objectives of the Decade; and
Contribute to the follow-up and review process of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by providing input to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
Including all people, particularly indigenous groups and young people, in innovative water solutions;
Connecting efforts on water to the need to preserve land integrity, and to prevent desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD);
Closing gaps in data and observation systems, particularly by strengthening the role of UN-Water as coordinator, and better engaging the private sector;
Scaling up financing and innovations; and
Creating an international panel on water, similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)."
Though commitments made towards these actions will be voluntary there is hope that nations will negotiate an outcome that means water will be protected and made more accessible for those communities who are still struggling to access clean water and sanitation. A summary of the proceedings and a roadmap for the second half of the Water Decade will be published post proceedings setting out which SDGs are set to be achieved just two years after the decade. By focusing on water, we can do more than simply ensure future supplies but also have an impact on the world around us. We can stop desertification and land degradation which in turn will help families working in agriculture to improve their crop and give them the financial means to keep girls in education. Including indigenous groups will give the wider world access to their invaluable knowledge and understanding of water systems which when protected will give wildlife the chance to thrive. It is hard to imagine the size and scale of the water domino effect, however we are at a tipping point, and it is now or never to take care of one of our most precious resources.
Iraq's Ancient Buildings Face Destruction from Climate Change
by Hannah Lynch 15th April 2022
Iraq is home to some of the most spectacular and significant ancient wonders which have stood throughout history surviving natural disasters, wars and destruction. Yet today they are facing a new challenge… salt!
Iraq boasts ancient cities, early writing systems (cuneiform) and archeological sites ranging from the Palaeolithic through Islamic eras, but salt is now threatening sites such as Babylon and could leave gaps both in our knowledge of human evolution as well as in the history of Islam in the region. The area under the most duress is Mesopotamia, the land between the two rivers of modern day Iraq, which is rich in natural salt both in the soil and groundwater. Previously salt has been used to great effect as an aid for archaeologists however, it is also a very destructive substance. With dams being built upriver across Turkey and Iran as well as extensive mismanagement of water sources the concentrations of salt in the water is rising at a rapid rate and causing human populations to suffer, as over 118,000 people were sent to hospital in Southern Basra during 2018 as the Shatt al-Arab river water quality tested very poor. The climate crisis is now contributing to these preexisting conditions. As Iraq becomes hotter and drier year on year rainfall has dropped by 17% over the rainy season and dust/sand storms have doubled in number from 120 to 300 per year. Most concerning is the rise in seawater levels which is pushing a wedge of salt up into Iraq meaning that in less than 30 years parts of southern Iraq and the ancient sites that reside there could be under water.
As salt is whipped up in storms, sites such as Babylon are now coated in a salty sheen which accumulates until it crystallises, cracking the 2,600 year old mud bricks and breaking them apart. Archeology Professor Jaafar Jotheri (Al-Qadisiyah University) has already noticed that the base of the walls are crumbling and worries for their future survival with some ancient sites possibly going under water in the next 10 years if they have not already crumbled from salt destruction. Iraq is not only losing man- made structures of cultural importance but also its cultural heritage in the form of ecological sites. On the edge of the desert just 150km south of Babylon the Sawa Lake has all but dried up and become another bed of salt. The spring fed water source was home to 31 species of bird some of which are on the threatened list. Yet, overuse by surrounding farms and climate change paired with a lack of enforcement over groundwater use have left this once flourishing oasis barren and its native ecosystems all but destroyed.
From High Protein Food to Plastics to Fuel; How can Seaweed Change the way we live our Lives?
by Richard Orange 19th April 2022
Yes, we are talking about that delicious crispy deep fried box of green stuff you get from the Chinese takeaway! That delicious snack has caught the eye of Swedish scientists who are now finding new ways to utilise this ‘supercrop’ otherwise known as sea lettuce. Every year during spring seaweed yields the most protein which experts believe could contribute to it being a key crop in the "protein shift" away from meat. In last year's harvest protein levels hit 30% which makes it comparable to the world's other big protein sources such as soy and meat. As seaweed relies neither on land or fresh water which are both resources already under pressure it is believed to be a perfect option for the ever changing human diet. With it already being widely consumed across parts of Europe including the UK it could become a sustainable alternative to soya. As climate change starts to affect our crop systems, seaweed can be used not only as a protein source but also to aid the shift away from a fossil fuel- based economy which provides a lot of the compounds we need.
As scientists in Sweden start extracting polysaccharides from seaweed to make plastic films, filaments and other plastic materials there may be a new day dawning for plastics. As fossil fuel based plastics choke the land and oceans seaweed provides a circular route using biomass that can be produced at a high rate in the oceans. The only significant drawback is the need to alter their chemical structure as seaweed plastics absorb rather than repel water but companies such as Notpla (UK) and Sway (US) are working to find ways around this. There is also a challenge as outside of Asia seaweed farming is still in its infancy, but it is starting in small pockets to break into the mainstream. With T.V. chefs such as the Hairy Bikers visiting new startups in the North East of the UK in an attempt to bring eating seaweed into the mainstream. These seaweed plantations are popping up across Europe and are in some cases becoming international with companies such as Dutch-owned The Seaweed Company operating across Ireland, Morocco and India. However, the £14 billion seaweed market is still dominated by Asia as their extensive bays across China, Japan and Indonesia can produce a larger yield and they currently possess the technical development for success. As farming seaweed is so labour intensive, developing countries with lower wages are finding themselves in a stronger position as Europe continues to experiment with growing seaweed between offshore turbines and the coast whilst finding new ways to keep labour costs down.
As scientists work on new protein extraction methods seaweed is not yet in a place where it can be used for plastics. However, it still makes for a fabulous superfood and hopefully one day in the future we will be filling up our seaweed tupperware from refill stations in our nation's supermarkets.
Climate Change and Agriculture Threatens Insect Numbers Worldwide
by Helen Briggs 20th April 2022
At what age does our obsession with creepy crawlies end? As young children we are enthralled by butterflies gently gliding from one flower to the next. We follow the perfect lines of ants marching across our garden paths and drop small pieces of leaves to see if they will be able to carry them. We kick up leaves in the Autumn to discover the worms and beetles hiding underneath and look on in amazement at the tarantulas and giant snails in the bug house at the zoo. Then at some point we forget about these tiny but brilliant creatures and go about our lives only thinking of them to complain about their presence and possibly to kill them off with pesticides.
In a recent article by the BBC the pressures of global heating and farming on our global insect population has been put under the microscope. In what has been called a "substantial decline" by UK researchers the need to preserve natural habitats has been stressed in a push to protect the homes of our creepy crawlies. Dr. Charlie Outhwaite (UCL) has made it clear that the loss of insects will not only be detrimental to the natural environment but also to "human health and food security, particularly with losses of pollinators". As the "insect apocalypse" takes hold scientific data presents a mixed picture with some insects in drastic decline whilst others remain steady for the time being. In a recent study of nearly 20,000 insect species across 6,000 locations it was found that in areas with high-intensity agriculture and substantial warming insect numbers have declined by 49% and the number of different species by 27% when compared with places that remain relatively untouched by climate change and human presence. The one glimmer of hope amongst all this was evidence that where areas of land have been set aside for nature numerous insect species have been able to take refuge from the heat and eventually start to thrive. A number of solutions have been suggested by the UCL study;
"Careful management of agricultural areas, such as preserving natural habitats near farmland, may help to ensure that vital insects can still thrive.
Avoiding intensive agriculture.
Planting a wide range of crops.
Recognise the important role insects play in the environment as a whole and for human health and wellbeing."
Briquettes made from Coconut Waste Could Reduce Deforestation
by Business Insider 16th April 2022
A recent video by Business Insider exhibits the ingenuity of a young man, Alhaji Siraj Bah, in Sierra Leone who has turned the tragedy of losing his adoptive family in a mudslide at just 17 into motivation to find new ways to stop this from happening to somebody else. By recycling coconut waste into charcoal briquettes he is hoping to put a halt to the wide scale deforestation needed to power peoples stoves for cooking. By producing briquettes from biomass waste people can turn away from traditional wood meaning that forests in Freetown (Sierra Leone) which has lost over 70% of its forest cover in the last five decades can start to replant and grow back its natural ecosystems. Mr. Alhaji has tapped into an extensive resource as coconuts are one of Freetown's most popular snacks which unfortunately produce a lot of waste which vendors would pay to have removed. Now, Alhaji picks up two metric tonnes of coconut waste per week for free and transforms this market waste into something brilliant. In a lengthy and tough process his employees (up to fifty depending on demand) work hard to sort, dry, burn and grind the coconut husks before making it into a small wet rectangular bar which once dried again becomes a briquette. As mudslides take thousands of lives across Africa due to deforestation and the lack of roots to keep the soil firm, could this startup help to not only save lives but bring back long lost habits in Sierra Leone and beyond…
Follow this link to watch the video and find out more…
Pico Analytics Sustainability Spotlight
by Kate Martin 21st April 2022
This section of our Newsletter is where we here at Pico Analytics shine a spotlight on one of those businesses, initiatives or positive news stories that are paving the way for sustainability and a more eco-friendly future. In this edition we have decided to follow the food theme and have chosen the business and app Olio.
In 2015, Tessa Clark and Saasha Celestial-One founded Olio, a new kind of app that allows people who have food that would otherwise go to waste to upload a photo and description of the items and anyone interested can then organise to collect it, meaning that surplus food doesn't have to go to waste. So far, almost 2 million portions of food have been saved from being thrown away and now the app has recently expanded to include household and clothing listings. The company is now operating in 62 countries and has over five million users worldwide.
"Though initially hesitant I (Kate Martin) thought I would give the app a try. Living as a student and moving house routinely the issue of where to leave your surplus food at the end of the year always comes up and though some larger landlords will leave boxes in the lobby for food donations to a foodbank this is not always an option. I would be hesitant to throw away food and would try to leave it with flat mates who weren't moving. But there comes a time when you run out of options and this is where Olio comes into its own. On six separate occasions I was able to upload a listing and every time there was somebody willing to come and pick up my unused/unrequired food items. The feeling of not contributing to the global food waste problem and perhaps helping struggling families by providing a little extra food was brilliant. Whilst like with all apps that offer similar options for passing on items such as Facebook marketplace or Ebay one must be cautious about pickups and drop offs with strangers, the majority of users are kind people just trying to do their bit for the planet and others. The app is also very informative and inspiring in that you can enter the number of items you listed and it will tell you the positive impact this has had on the environment, including the gallons of water saved by not throwing food away. I'd say this app is great if you are moving home, have a surplus from your allotment growth, receive unwanted substitutions in your online food delivery, or simply want to avoid wasting those food items in your cupboards that you know you won't get the chance to use up in time".
