Inventing the Future of Food

Gary Hirshberg

Chairman

WHAT WILL THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?

9 billion people Extreme weather Water scarcity

Oil scarcity Coral reef decline Climate change

TROUBLING TREND LINES…

Over dependence on fossil fuels Environmental health risks Weakened Ecosystems

Species loss Pollinator decline

WATER: THE OIL OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Worldwide H2O usage doubling every 21 years

Since 1900, a 6X increase in H2O use Rising standards of living

Unsustainable levels of irrigated agriculture

Worldwide, since 1945, severe or extreme soil degradation has affected an area larger than India and China.

1950 2000

Global Fertilizer Use

These patterns put more marginal land into production -- and increase the use of chemicals, fossil fuels, and water

Areas of low oxygen (reds and oranges) off the coast of Louisiana

Source: NOAA

ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF UNCONSCIOUS BEHAVIORS: HYPOXIAS

About the size of Lake Ontario

Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico: World’s 2nd Largest Dead Zone

MODERN DAY MYTHS

The earth is a subsidiary of

our economies

The earth has infinite

resilience and productivity to

meet whatever

humans need

“Externalities” are real, but

because they are not on our

P&Ls or Balance Sheets, they don’t exist and no one is accountable.

CAFO’s = Confined Animal Feedlot Operation

Duckett et al., 1993 J Animal Sci

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5

10

15

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25

Butter Pork Beef Egg

19602000

Ailhaud et al., Prog. Lip. Res., 2006 – Simopoulos & Salem. NEJM , 1989

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TRANSFORMATION OF FOOD CHAIN

Source: Dr. David Servan-Schreiber

President’s Cancer Panel Report

Recommends consumers

choose food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers,

antibiotics, and growth hormones to help

decrease their exposure to environmental

chemicals that can increase their risk of contracting cancer.

RECENT PESTICIDE WARNINGS

Study links ADHD in Children to Pesticide

Exposure

Children exposed to higher levels of a type of pesticide found on

commercially grown fruit and vegetables are more likely to have ADHD than

children with less exposure – recommends organic foods to avoid pesticide exposure –

Journal Pediatrics

CHEMICAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY

SOURCES: UCSF study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, January 2011

163 chemicals studied in women, ages 15-44 43 were found in 99% of tested pregnant women including: • PCBs (linked to cancer & other health problems)

• Organochlorine pesticides • PBDEs (flame retardants, including some banned)

• Phthalates (endocrine disruptor)

• Phenols (endocrine disruptor)

• PFCs (organ damage, reproductive problems)

• Perchlorate (affects thyroid function)

• PAHs (organ damage, cancer)

Some of these chemicals had been banned

since before the women were

born

Cord blood samples of newborns tested for 413 chemicals (2004)

287 detected 134 known carcinogens 158 toxic to brain and nervous system 186 cause infertility 151 cause birth defects or abnormal development Synergistic effects have never been studied

HEALTH CONSEQUENCES

Source: Environmental Working Group, January 2008.

Pesticides Health and Environmental Effects

Fungicides

Mancozeb Viewed as carcinogenic and can cause thyroid gland tumors

Tridemorph Possible reproduction problems

Nematicides Terbutos One of the most toxic organophosphates; accidents can

lead to death Ethoprofos Extremely toxic organophosphates; accidents can lead to

death; probable carcinogen Fenamiphos Extremely toxic organophosphates; accidents can lead to

death Insecticides Chloropytitos Organophosphate, nerve poison; medium to high toxicity for

humans

SAMPLE OF PESTICIDES USED ON NON-ORGANIC BANANAS

1. USA (40.8%) 2. Brazil (21.4%) 3. Argentina (14%) 4. Canada (6.8%) 5. India (6.3%) 6. China (2.3%) 7. Paraguay (1.9%)

*Only 3 countries contain 76.2% of the world’s GMO acres *3.7 billion acres used to grow GMO crops worldwide

Graph Source: Mother Jones

The World’s Biggest GMO Users

Primary GE crops in the US find their way into more than 80% of conventional processed foods

• Alfalfa • Canola • Corn • Cotton • Dairy (from cows given

rBGH, GE feed) • Papaya (Hawaiian) • Soy • Sugar Beets • Zucchini, Squash

On the Horizon:

• 2,4D-resistant corn • Arctic apple • Dicamba-resistant cotton • Blight-resistant potato • GM wheat, vegetables • GE salmon

Source: Steve Hoffman

American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) Cautions: Avoid GE Foods

Calls on "Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM (genetically modified) foods when possible and provide educational materials concerning GM foods and health risks. “ Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food," including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. "There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation," as defined by recognized scientific criteria. After reviewing more than 600 scientific journals, paper concludes that GMOs are a major contributor to the sharply deteriorating health of Americans Source: Position Paper on Genetically Modified Foods; 5/8/09; aaemonline.org

DECLINING INSECTICIDE APPLICATIONS

But, corn rootworms are developing resistance to insect-resistant crops*

Corn rootworm image courtesy of Colorado State University *Gassmann, Aaron J. "Field-evolved resistance to Bt maize by western corn rootworm: Predictions from the laboratory and effects in the field."

Journal of Invertebrate Pathology (2012).

GE crops have decreased insecticide use

-123 million pounds

Blood from pregnant women, nonpregnant women, and fetal cord tested positive for the insecticidal protein found in insect resistant crops

DECLINING INSECTICIDE APPLICATIONS BT IN OUR BLOODSTREAM

Source: Aris, A. and S. Leblanc. 2011. Maternal and fetal exposure to pesticides associated to genetically modified foods in Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada. Reproductive Toxicology

IMPACTS OF HT CROPS ON HERBICIDE USE: 1996 - 2011

GE crops have INCREASED herbicide use

527 million pounds

Benbrook, Charles. "Impacts of genetically engineered crops on pesticide use in the U.S. -- the first sixteen years." Environmental Sciences Europe 2012.

Each acre planted to a HT variety required

substantially more herbicides than acres not

planted to HT crops

Benbrook, Charles. "Impacts of genetically engineered crops on pesticide use in the U.S. -- the first sixteen years." Environmental Sciences Europe 2012.

IMPACTS OF HT CROPS ON HERBICIDE USE: 1996 - 2011

2011 Herbicide Rates of HT Crops

Corn Soybean Cotton

0.41 lbs/acre 0.73 lbs/acre 0.86 lbs/acre

CONSEQUENCES OF GLYPHOSATE RELIANCE

Glyphosate is found in 60 to 100% of rain & air samples

tested in Iowa and Mississippi by USGS

Feng-Chih Chang, Matt F. Simcik, P.D. Capel, 2011. “Occurrence and Fate of the Herbicide Glyphosate and Its Degradate Aminomethylphosphonic Acid in the Atmosphere,” Envir. Toxicology Chem., Vol. 30, pages 548-555

Source: Nancy Swanson, Ph.D., former staff scientist for the U.S. Navy, Examiner.com, April 10, 2013

New Challenges of GE: Superweeds

Map Source: BBC World Service, 2012

Today, more than 61.2 million acres of U.S. farmland are infested with weeds resistant to Roundup

A 2012 survey showed that 49% of U.S. farmers reported finding superweeds in their fields. 28 weed species worldwide are already resistant to stronger herbicides, like 2,4-D and/or Dicamba.

IOWA STATE U STUDY TIES GMOS TO MONARCH BUTTERFLY DECLINE

Source: John Pleasants & Karen Oberhauser . “Milkweed loss in agricultural fields because of herbicide use: effect on the monartch butterfly population”. Insect Conservation and Diversity. March 2012.

• Widespread use of GMO corn & soy after 1999 has drastically reduced common milkweed in agricultural areas

• Highest concentration of GMO crops (see USDA map) is the main breeding ground for monarch butterflies

• Monarch larvae feed on milkweed

60% decline in monarch population (2000-2009)

Dietary risks are leading cause of disease burden in the US and contributed to

more health loss in 2010 than smoking, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar

-Institute For Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington

Source: http://www.healthmetricsandevaluation.org/gbd/news-events/news-release/united-states-losing-ground-other-countries-health-outcom

A WATERSHED IN 1945

Source: Dr. David Servan-Schreiber

Sugar Sedentary Lifestyle

Chemical Exposure Omega-3 /Omega-6 & Trans Fats

Changing how we do business means changing

how we think.

This is not just a cup of latté. It’s also 208 liters of water.

Source: WWF

Supporting over 200,000 acres of

organic farmland

Avoided over 10 million lbs of

synthetic nitrogen fertilizer

Avoided over 200,000 lbs of insecticides and

herbicides

Avoided over 460,000 drug treatments

(antibiotics, rBGH, reproductive aids)

2012 IMPACTS ORGANIC INGREDIENTS

(c) 2012. Stonyfield Farm, Inc. All Rights Reserved

BRAZIL ORGANIC SUGAR

In 1997, converted 3,000 acres to organic Today, 35,000+ acres are certified organic

BRAZIL SUGAR: AN ECOLOGICAL AND FINANCIAL SUCCESS STORY

Sustainable agricultural practices

Cane is green harvested, not burned

Waste streams from production recycled for soil building or power generation

Biological pest control program uses beneficial insects and

natural predators

Fields reconfigured to prevent soil erosion

PAYOFFS

• Green harvesting saves 40K tonnes CO2/yr & 3.5 million liters water/hr at mill

• 90% reduction in pest damage

• Increased biodiversity (312 species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals)

• Increasing groundwater quality and volume

• Topsoil carbon content nearly equal to native forests

• 10% Yield Increase

• 50% Cost Premium Decrease

Source: Reganold et al. Washington State University. “Fruit and Soil Quality of Organic and Conventional Strawberry

Agroecosystems” September 1, 2010

CONVENTIONAL VS. ORGANIC Is there a difference in food & soil quality?

Washington State University study tested fruit & soil quality from 13 pairs of commercial organic & conventional strawberry farms Organic strawberry farms produce higher quality berries with….

• Longer shelf life (even without fungicides) • Higher antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) & phenolic compounds

Organically farmed soils have …

• Greater total carbon & nitrogen • Greater microbial biomass and activity • Greater resilience to stress • Higher concentrations of micronutrients

CONVENTIONAL VS. ORGANIC Is there a difference in food & soil quality?

ORGANIC OUTPERFORMS CONVENTIONAL YIELDS: Corn

Organic agriculture has: • Higher overall yields • Higher soil quality • More drought resistance

In drought years (<7.9 in) of rain in July and Aug) corn yields +28 -34% in organically managed soils

Source: The Rodale Institute

Organic corn, 2005 (Severe drought year)

Conventional corn (same day), 2005

During record rainfall season (2004): • Organic corn yields: 146 bu/A (+31.2%) • Conventional: 129 bu/A • Organic had higher grain protein content

• Side-by-side comparisons of organic & conventional systems using identical crop varieties

• Results: organic systems provide similar yields & much higher economic return while improving soil quality

Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) Experiment (1998 – present) Iowa State University

Source: Leopold Center, Iowa State University Neely-Kinyon Research & Demonstration Farm, Nov 2011

Cows love it!

Farmers love it

Increased the Omega-3 in

the milk by 29%

(almost 1/3)

Reduced enteric emissions by 12% on average

If every dairy farm in the U.S. had these results, it would be equivalent to taking

500,000 cars off the road!

THE GREENER COW PROJECT

Organic Whole Milk – the healthier choice!

Study published in PLOS One in 2013 shows that organic whole milk has

62% more omega 3 fatty acids than conventional

milk

New York Times calls it: “the most clear-cut

instance of an organic food’s offering a

nutritional advantage over its conventional

counterpart.”

It all comes down to pasture: organic standards require cows to get a significant portion of their diet from grazing, and this results in milk that is

naturally rich in healthy fatty acids

PFIZER AD on e-coli

!

COSTA RICA ORGANIC BANANAS

• Crop diversification

• Income diversification

• Soil fertility and conservation

• Natural resistance to pest

• Ecosystems protection

• Individual & community health

Complementary crops

Livestock integration

DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES CONCLUDE: Sustainable farming methods could improve the situation of

about a billion malnourished people

Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in

the 21st Century:

Incremental improvements to conventional ag are not

sufficient to feed the world. We must increase organic & agro-ecological approaches.

Released 2010 by the National

Research Council of the National Academy of Science (U.S.)

ORGANIC CAN FEED THE WORLD

Organic Agriculture and Food Security in Africa

24 African countries

established that organic or similar farming methods produce over 100% higher

crop yields

Released 2008 by UNEP - UNCTAD

“Agriculture at a Crossroad”

Prepared with the assistance of 400 experts, assumes that the

way in which food is produced must change

radically to meet the future requirements.

Released 2009 by International Assessment of Agricultural

Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development

(IAASTD)

ORGANIC VS CONVENTIONAL FOOD

While on organic diets, children’s pesticide levels were below EPA safety threshold

While on conventional diets, levels were 4x EPA safety

standard

Source: Curl et al., 2003 Env. Health. Persp.

ikiPearls are portion-ntrolled scoops of gurt, ice cream and

ozen yogurt wrapped delicious skins of ocolate, coconut,

pricot and other tural foods, providing

vector for nutrition d a barrier against ntaminants and

ater loss.

First Commercial Test in

100% biodegradeable sacs (3/14)

WHY POLICY IS IMPORTANT: Why a salad costs more than a Big Mac

Publicly Funding Research in Organic Agriculture

Total investment in sustainable agriculture and

development is a tiny fraction of the over $2.5

billion annual federal investment in food and

agriculture research

Organic Conventional

98.5%