Time to take the initiative to ensure a sustainable future

THE times they are a changing. As Philip Bowern writes in his column above, every aspect of our world is changing around us. This is driven by technology, advances in medicine and, most of all, the general development of society.

Look back at the television schedules of the 1970s and 1980s and you will find several ‘comedy’ programmes that no one would ever dream of writing today, let alone broadcasting. Words that were commonly used 20 years ago are now no longer acceptable. There are words that weren’t even invented 20 years ago that are now in common usage.

One of the biggest attitudinal shifts we have seen in the last decade is towards climate change, and the impact we humans are having on Planet Earth. There is general acceptance now that global warming is a thing, and while experts and non-experts will argue ad nauseam over some of the detail, there is also general acceptance that something needs to be done.

Last month’s Cop26 in Glasgow demonstrated that governments all over the world are now willing to commit to tackling the issue, though clearly the enthusiasm of some is more obvious than others. Environmentalists may dismiss the commitments agreed at the summit as not being enough, but it is clear that some progress has been made.

The challenge now, as always, will be on delivery. Big business, so often criticised for sacrificing the planet’s health in pursuit of an extra buck, has also begun to respond. We may be a long way off solving the problem, but things are changing.

For farmers in the South West, the best guardians of our landscape, the climate change agenda throws up as many challenges as it does opportunities. The worst thing farmers can do is pretend that the challenges will go away. The UK’s commitment to reduce 30% of methane emissions by 2030 will require a response.

Today we report on the thoughts of Nigel Miller, chair of Ruminant Health & Welfare, who says the methane pledge agreed at Cop26 is a “tough step in a climate change transition marathon”. But he says it is also a feasible goal, provided the industry moves quickly.

“Dairy, beef and sheep production across our four nations are already firmly in the crosshairs over methane,” he says.

“The Climate Change Committee has been clear that a reduction in red meat and dairy consumption of 20% is integral to the UK’s plan to reach net zero.

“The truth is that ruminant sectors can no longer shelter behind carbon efficiency alone. We must use this pledge to trigger a change in mindset and take control of our share of the problem.

“The management focus has to be all about reducing methane emissions over the next ten years if dairy, beef and sheep producers are to protect their future.”

Mr Miller believes that advances in science and animal welfare can be key in helping livestock farmers play their part in the emissions transition.

The industry will have to embrace the challenge rather than fight it, in order to maintain a sustainable business of the future.