As the specter of climate change looms ever larger, UK farmers find themselves on the frontlines of a battle for survival. Rising temperatures, relentless droughts, and devastating floods are wreaking havoc on the nation’s agricultural sector, threatening not only livelihoods but also the very fabric of rural life. With 70% of UK land under cultivation and 300,000 jobs at stake, the future of farming hangs in the balance.
Climate Chaos Threatens Farming Heritage
For generations, farming has been the backbone of Britain’s countryside, a way of life passed down through the centuries. But now, the relentless march of climate change is putting that rich heritage at risk. As Roger Mortlock, CEO of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, warns: “Our way of life is under threat. Climate change has brought rising temperatures, droughts and flooding; all within one agricultural cycle.”
Without action to tackle emissions and safeguard nature, these events will only multiply.
– Roger Mortlock, CEO of Campaign to Protect Rural England
The statistics paint a grim picture. Over the past three decades, agricultural emissions have reduced by just 12%, a drop in the bucket compared to the seismic shifts needed to avert catastrophe. Meanwhile, farmers are grappling with extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent and more severe with each passing year.
Farmers on the Frontlines
For those who work the land, the impacts of climate change are impossible to ignore. Droughts are sapping the soil of moisture, forcing crops to wither and die. Floods are washing away topsoil and destroying infrastructure. And rising temperatures are disrupting delicate ecosystems, putting immense strain on both plants and animals.
As Julia Kirby-Smith, Executive Director of Better Food Traders, explains: “Farmers continue to work in harmony with nature, championing conservation and putting food on our tables. But they can’t do it alone. They need support to adapt and become stewards of our land in the face of climate change.”
A Call for Climate Action
With so much at stake, farming advocates are sounding the alarm and calling for urgent action. Central to their demands is the climate and nature bill, set to be debated in Parliament on January 24th. The bill, which has the backing of over 1,700 organizations, would enshrine ambitious emissions reduction targets in law and provide critical support for farmers on the front lines of the climate fight.
Taking inspiration from the climate and nature bill is a good start. With 1,700 organisations backing the proposals to boost safeguards for our planet, while reducing emissions, we urge ministers to back it, too, in order to help our farmers adapt and thrive for generations to come.
– Joint statement from farming & conservation groups
The stakes could not be higher. Without bold action to tackle emissions and support farmers, the very future of British agriculture hangs in the balance. As Andy Goldring, CEO of the Permaculture Association, warns: “Farmers must be properly supported to adapt and to become stewards of our land. Without that support, our farming heritage and our food security are at risk.”
The Road Ahead
For UK farmers, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. But it is also a road paved with opportunity. By embracing sustainable practices, restoring natural habitats, and working in harmony with the land, farmers can play a critical role in the fight against climate change. What’s needed now is the political will to make it happen.
As Robert Fraser, Executive Director of the Real Farming Trust, puts it: “Any ‘new deal’ for farmers must see ministers introduce measures to tackle climate change, restore nature and protect our rich farming heritage for future generations. The time for action is now. We cannot afford to wait.”
A Clarion Call
In the face of an existential threat, UK farmers are sounding a clarion call. They are demanding action, not platitudes. Support, not neglect. A future for farming that is sustainable, resilient, and just. It is a call that must be heeded, before it is too late.
- Climate change poses an existential threat to UK farming, with rising temperatures, droughts, and floods putting livelihoods and food security at risk
- Farmers are calling for urgent action, including support for the climate and nature bill, to help them adapt and become stewards of the land
- Without bold measures to tackle emissions and protect nature, the UK risks losing its rich farming heritage and compromising its ability to feed itself
As Suzy Russell, Coordinator of Community Supported Agriculture, sums up: “Farmers are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. They are sounding the alarm, and we ignore their warnings at our peril. The time for action is now. The future of our food, our countryside, and our planet depends on it.”
