Throughout history, agriculture and living have been intrinsically connected, creating an understanding of the relationship between land and food within communities. In early civilisation, the lack of transportation meant that people ate what was grown locally, with the climate and seasons dictating the choice. However, in more recent times, the rise in technology, transportation and production has enabled food to be shipped across the globe, removing the connection between what is grown locally and what people eat. This has resulted in an increase in consumerism, providing people with the choice to eat food irrespective of the season. The connection between people, the food they eat, the land and the seasons has been lost and with it, a lack of awareness about the impact this is having on our planet.
The current production and consumption of food is a key contributor to health and climate issues, and without radical change there exists a threat to the planet and the existence of mankind. Across the world, crop production uses 70% of water reserves, has led to the deforestation of 40% of woodland and emits one third of greenhouse gases. The high emissions produced contribute to global warming, and intensive farming results in soil erosion and the pollution of arable land. Furthermore, the use of pesticides and fertilisers not only contributes to the pollution of soil and water, but also has a detrimental impact on our health. It is evident that the production and distribution of food plays a large part in climate change, therefore in order to reduce the harmful impact on the planet, it is essential to encourage more sustainable means of production and also significantly reduce food waste. In the UK alone, 3.6 million tonnes of food are being wasted by the food industry every year. Waste before reaching the consumer makes up one third of this overall figure. By growing food locally, the wastage of food through distribution and emissions from transportation can be controlled, significantly reducing the harmful impact it has on the planet.
Although historic rural patterns of farming successfully connected people with the land, food and seasons, this model is not compatible with the current global situation due to the growing pressures the worldwide population is placing on land currently used for farming. The planet’s population is 7.6 billion and growing. By 2050 it is expected to reach 8.3 billion, with two thirds of the population living in urban areas. We currently use 40% of the planet’s land for farming. With the growth of urban areas however, the available land for farming will decrease, forcing us to find alternative methods of farming.
Urban farming is a potential solution to this problem. It comprises of growing food and raising animals within and around cities. Its integration into urban economic and ecological systems differentiates from rural agriculture and contrasts with historic patterns. It aims to achieve direct links between food production and urban consumers, provides jobs, utilises urban resources (compost from food waste and wastewater from urban drainage) and has a positive impact on urban ecology and biodiversity. It can occur in a variety of places such as riverbanks, vacant plots, rooftops, windowsills, railway lines and public squares.