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In this episode, Osha Hayden and  Frances Moore-Lappé engage in a discussion about democracy, food and our climate and underline the empowering choices available to each one of us right now.   

My guest, Frances Moore Lappé, revolutionized how we think about food in 1971 when she published Diet for a Small Planet, now available in the 50th Anniversary Edition with all new recipes. She researched the impact of our food systems on our planet and the role democracy plays in addressing hunger worldwide. Through her 50 years of research into the impact of the producing and eating meat she shows us how food and democracy are interconnected. 

Recipient of multiple awards and author of over 20 books, Frances Moore Lappé invites us to become active participants in a democracy that works for the people, not just  the powerful few.

“Frances’ message is … [even more] relevant today, as we factor in a global climate crisis and the social injustice and systems contributing to poverty and food insecurity. Her new edition of 'Diet for a Small Planet' expands on the idea of diet as a powerful agent of social change.” (SmallPlanet.org)  https://www.smallplanet.org/frances-moore-lappe

Over 50 years ago in 1969 as Frances was researching food production and the roots of starvation, she discovered two life changing facts: 
- that “what we had grown up believing was a healthy diet”  was false and 
- there is an enormous amount of waste involved in producing meat. 
When she researched the real costs of meat production she learned that we could erase starvation entirely by changing the way we produce food. 

50 years later, here are some facts Frances discovered about the true costs of eating meat. 
The costs of producing just one # of steak:
- 2,500 gallons of water
- erosion of our topsoil  (another Dustbowl on the horizon?)
- energy costs: it takes 20,000 calories of fossil fuel to produce just 500 calories of food energy 
- two thirds of our agricultural exports go to livestock

The UN IPCC report on climate change was just released. It contained what it calls “a dire warning about the consequences of inaction.” The scientists made clear that humans must make changes to adapt and mitigate the worst consequences of climate change and we must do it now. Farmers must improve soil health to improve yields - human health, food security and biodiversity are at risk. 

A 2022 report from Stanford university states that: 
“Replacing animal agriculture and shifting to a plant-based diet could drastically curb greenhouse gas emissions, according to new model”. (Feb 1, 2022, Stanford News - https://news.stanford.edu/2022/02/01/new-model-explores-link-animal-agriculture-climate-change/)  Scientists around the world are clearly stating that we need to shift to a plant centered diet to avoid the worst effects of climate change. 

All the work Frances does is centered in the idea of “living democracy” - and the idea that true democracy is the solution to the issues that affect us today, such as food insecurity, climate change and poverty.

We each have choices - we can make life affirming choices for our health, our democracies, our climate. We have the power in our hands to make life affirming choices each day for a better life for  future generations. 
Song:  Mystery by Chic Street Man

If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you! Osha