Why food security should be treated as a national emergency

Anyone interested in joining a Camden Right to Grow initiative can find out more through the London WhatsApp group: chat.whatsapp.com/INbP4Yb5gdC5GgMYw6gLMQ.

Growing vegetables on disused council land is a positive step, but we need to go much further if we are serious about addressing the challenges posed by climate change and food security.

That includes reducing reliance on livestock farming, expanding crop production, and tackling intensive farming practices that contribute to environmental damage, including river pollution.

I found the suggestions made by Paul Behrens during discussions following screenings of the National Emergency Briefing film particularly useful.

He argued that individuals can make a difference by reducing meat consumption and encouraging their MPs to address the food security risks associated with climate change.

The UK’s food system should be recognised as a national security issue.

Government and the media also have a responsibility to ensure the public is informed about the multiple risks we face and the need to respond with far greater urgency.

Dorothea Hackman says we need to be serious about climate change and food security (Image: Dorothea Hackmann)

The National Risk Register identifies a range of serious threats facing the UK, and we need to begin preparing now to reduce the impact on future generations.

There is little doubt that emissions must be reduced if we are to limit further climate damage.

Yet fossil fuel companies continue to generate huge profits while households face rising energy costs.

Major energy firms are reporting strong financial results while continuing extraction projects around the world, highlighting the gap between climate commitments and business as usual.

We are also seeing growing concerns over the rapid expansion of large data centres to support artificial intelligence.

These facilities consume significant amounts of energy and water, and stronger regulation is needed to ensure they do not undermine wider environmental goals.

Another area attracting concern is the proposed expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure in the Coral Triangle, a region stretching from the Philippines to Papua New Guinea and encompassing parts of Malaysia and Indonesia.

Home to the world’s second-largest coral reef system, vast mangrove forests, and around 360 million people, it is one of the planet’s most environmentally important regions.

Local communities, supported by climate campaigners, are urging insurers and investors not to back further LNG developments there.

Supporters are encouraging people to raise awareness through creative actions, including beach art projects.

More information can be found and you can upload your holiday beach art to show your support at: bit.ly/CTbeachart.

Climate change, food security, and environmental protection are interconnected challenges.

Community initiatives such as Right to Grow are welcome, but they must form part of a much wider conversation about how we prepare for the future.

• Dorothy Hackman is chair of the Camden Camden Civic Society.