Diet for a Large Planet: Industrial Britain, Food Systems, and World Ecology

The world food crisis is caused by unsustainable dietary choices and agricultural systems, leading to health problems and resource dependence. Chris Otter's book "Diet for a Large Planet" explores how the British diet shifted away from locally produced plant-based nutrition in the late eighteenth century, leading to the development of red meat, white bread, and sugar as the diet of choice. This history connects dietary choices to climate change and food supply issues.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2020
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

The world is currently grappling with a food crisis of unprecedented magnitude, stemming from our unsustainable dietary choices and agricultural systems. This crisis not only affects human health but also the well-being of our planet. Various solutions, such as lab-grown food, vegan diets, and localized food consumption, have been proposed, but a fundamental question remains: how did we arrive at this point?

In his book "Diet for a Large Planet," Chris Otter takes us back to the late eighteenth century in Britain, where a diet characterized by a heavy reliance on meat, wheat, and sugar was emerging. As Britain experienced steady growth, urbanization, industrialization, and economic expansion, its food choices underwent a significant shift. The nation abandoned locally produced plant-based nutrition in favor of a diet rich in animal proteins and refined carbohydrates. This new diet, which promised increased height and strength, inadvertently led to the emergence of new health problems. Moreover, the production of this diet required far greater acreage than Britain could sustain, resulting in increased dependence on global resources.

Otter's book extends beyond Britain, examining the global implications of large agro-food systems that demand resources beyond the Earth's capacity to replenish. He highlights how these systems contribute to climate change and food supply issues, emphasizing the significant role played by Britain in making red meat, white bread, and sugar the diet of choice, associated with wealth, luxury, and power. Through this comprehensive history, Otter helps us understand how dietary choices are interconnected with the urgent challenges of climate change and food security.

It is crucial that we address the root causes of this food crisis and adopt sustainable practices to ensure a healthy and sustainable food system for future generations. This includes promoting plant-based diets, reducing meat consumption, and supporting local and organic agriculture. By making conscious choices and advocating for change, we can work towards a more equitable and sustainable food system that benefits both human health and the environment.

Weight: 698g
Dimension: 162 x 234 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226697109