Living regeneratively, Seaspiracy and sovereignty.
Last month we hosted our first Sustainable Table of 2021. Our little gates opened and a series of conversations for change began. Inspiration, feasting and listening brought our guests of varying life stories together. The conversation meandered from the stunning invitation to custodianship by Environmentalist, Academic and singer-song writer Nidala Barker to our passionate and knowledgeable panel on Sustainable Fashion, Travel and Plastic Use. For some of the best moments, see our recap in the video below.
The consistent theme of inspiration in face of environmental & personal quandaries emerged as these inspiring advocates told their stores. Confronted by separate impacts of industrialised lifestyle, prompted them separately, and yet collectively, in actions to protect the planet. Kate ( Plastic Free Mermaid and author ‘I Quit Plastic), Jaye (Head of Ready to Wear at Outland Denim and renown designer) and Nina (travel writer and Author ‘Go Lightly’) shared how their ‘environmental epiphanies’ were birthed from the painful awareness of global systems degrading the environment. Whilst this awareness can be saddening, it in the same breathe offers us capacity to exercise personal power to change our own supply chain.
We found these themes echoing in the subtext of Seaspiracy, the newest Netflix environmental documentary. The dramatic journalism and inaccurate statistics on sources of ocean plastic pollution, to which Kate Nelson elaborates on so eloquently, cannot be ignored. However, Seaspiracy brings into sharp focus the impact of even mindful consumption. From what’s on our plate to our clothing choices, understanding the actual, real-world implications of big supply chains can, some would argue purposefully, be mind breaking.
The film heartbreakingly captures not only the animal but the human cost of commercial fishing, i.e. human slavery and torture aboard fishing boats in South East Asia. It shows the impossible task for environmental organisations and certifiers to ensure rates of ‘by-catch’ and over-fishing are controlled. The claim that current fishing will empty the ocean by 2048 is indeed a sensationalised statistic. However, there is definitively merit in the harsh spotlight this documentary places on current food systems and culture underpinning it. The fact that one of Seaspiracy’s featured marine conservationist, Professor Callum Roberts, was sought out by Forbes Magazine for comment speaks to the broad impact this documentary has had. As Professor Roberts so bluntly conveys in their interview:
“‘It’s [Seaspiracy] not been made for its scientific rigour… My colleagues may rue the statistics, but the basic thrust of it is we are doing a huge amount of damage to the ocean, and that’s true. At some point you run out. Whether it’s 2048 or 2079, the question is: ‘Is the trajectory in the wrong direction or the right direction?’”
Kate Nelson, Plastic-free Mermaid & Author - I Quit Plastic
“The beauty about the environmental movement is that, as we reconnect with nature we also reconnect with one another”.
The provocation of these questions on food sources is crucial primary step to broader change in how we see our role in being a custodian of the environment day to day. An alarming study in 2014 found that one third of Australian children cannot accurately identify fruits and vegetables. Industrialised cities and food systems make for the average, suburb dwelling Australian seeing nature mostly via a screen, a supermarket animal parts lining fridge shelves or vegetables sprayed and polished on racks, or in manicured parks. It is not surprising that 92% of children in Australia are unaware that bananas grow on trees, when our society has found it self in such great disconnect from the beauty and bounty of nature, and how she ends up on our plate.
Seaspiracy has been criticised for its emphasis on vegan diets as a solution to the current ocean and pollution crisis. We have similarly been asked if we are a vegan farm, because we discuss the benefits of plant-based eating. Whilst Ella, Libby and the various members our team share varying diets, plant predominance is a consistent theme. Whilst significantly reduced beef consumption sourced from rotationally grazed, grass-fed and ethically killed cows can arguably significantly reduce the impacts of cattle grazing, we cannot ignore that such recommendations carry the same conundrums discussed in Seaspiracy. How do you know the meat you buy is not from an over-stoked methane emitting, unethically slaughtered source? More practically, cost and access to such products is significantly prohibitory to the average person living in suburban Australia. If a solution cannot be promoted at scale due to prohibitory costs and access, it may be good for some but as a population wide suggestion it seems largely unsustainable.
So, phew. What is the solution? Removing animal products most certainly reduces your environmental footprint, there is no question about that from an emissions impact perspective. Unless the world food system was to be magically flipped on its head overnight, the main stay of animal products are currently emissions dense, environmentally destructive factory farming or fishing that tolerates damaging rates of by-catch and ecosystem destruction. Whilst we are advocating for radical engagement of our communities in food growing and changing this defunct system, reducing meat consumption is one of the simplest steps of the average suburbanite to reduce their environmental impact. Beef is considered a Type Two Carcinogen by the World Health Organisation, so sources like chicken or other white meat might have you breathing easier (quite literally too, from the added benefit of their reduced environmental impact). If you have the finance and opportunity, thoughtfully purchased meat can put finance into the hands of farmers who do raise beef in more ethical & environmentally nourishing ways.
Whilst Seaspiracy has been criticised for promoting veganism and in so missing the importance of conversation around how growing food impacts the earth, it has at least begun the important work of stirring questions for many. Understanding food supply chains and moving towards strong local community food systems can be the first considerations of what is on our plate, in our wardrobe, or our ‘recycling’ bin. The beginning of a journey to more regenerative living is often the most challenging step, and for stimulating this discussion in so many, we are grateful for Seaspiracy. Sometimes it takes challenging documentaries like Seaspiracy to bring awareness to the size of the issues currently around us.
Whilst humanity does not all need to adopt the same rigid way of life, we do all need to be challenged by the current system, in all its failings. The current rate of destruction of biodiversity, ecosystems and community degradation by loss of connection to nature and the very knowledge of food and growing, is something we can all meaningfully impact.
Key moments from our Sustainable Table with Jaye Leigo-Holmes, Kate Nelson and Nina Karnikowski.
While big industry changes are 100% necessary, there are certainly some low hanging fruit, if you are still contemplating the components of your plate. Here's some easy steps you can do today, that have impact over years and across societal changes.
Cold wash your clothes
This is a double whammy for sustainability, it has the ability to reduce your laundry's energy consumption by 75-90% and increase your clothes lifespan.
Eating more plants, especially ones grown regeneratively
20-30% of global emissions is created by the food system, with meat production being responsible for 80% of the world's deforestation. Growing regenerative vegetables mimics natural systems, fostering soil microbes, increasing carbon sequestration through increased tree and land coverage, and creates green spaces to foster biodiversity.
Switch your lights to LED bulbs
LED bulbs are slightly more expensive but their energy efficiency is 80% greater than conventional bulbs. Over the lifetime of a home, this has major implications for you energy use.
Small changes likes these can help make a big difference. Engaging with the conversation is the first part of meaningful change, and we hope each step forward renews your custodianship over our planet.
