A NEW Cornwall-based documentary that takes a ‘behind the headlines’ look at the claims around the climate impact of livestock farming – and what this means for Cornwall - has been praised by natural history icon David Attenborough. 

Food for Thought, releasing in January 2023, is the latest film from the charity Cornwall Climate Care, and is presented by organic farmer, Lisa Guy, who farms a herd of beef cattle near Land’s End.

In the film, Lisa looks at the more nuanced picture of whether pasture-fed Cornish animals have the same climate impact as intensively reared cattle, fed on soya grown in what might recently have been Amazonian rainforest.

It also looks in-depth at the many initiatives locally working to minimise the impact of livestock farming and also to boost regenerative livestock techniques, which can play an important role in fighting climate change by maintaining the health of the soil, one of the world’s largest carbon sinks.

The film includes interviews with a wide range of voices including:

  • an engineer who helped develop satellite systems to monitor the ozone hole – now using that expertise to convert gases from cattle waste into a green fuel
  • an experimental dairy unit where novel feeds including spent brewing grains and broken biscuits are being trialled in an attempt to reduce cows’ carbon footprint
  • a farmer who’s totally changed the way he sows his crops to help lock carbon into the soil
  • an Animal Rebellion activist, campaigning for animal agriculture to be phased out altogether
  • an egg company director calling for lifting of the post-BSE ban on use of processed slaughterhouse waste in animal feed – in order to reduce climate emissions
  • One of Cornwall’s three ‘net zero’ farmers, who has taken up the challenge of proving his farm can become carbon neutral within five years

Cornwall’s Climate Stories is a series of 12 documentaries being produced over the next few years, looking at various issues around climate change right here in Cornwall – how it is going to impact us and the inspiring stories of what local people are doing to address these challenges.

The series has been praised by Sir David Attenborough, who said: "The need you have identified is indeed a real one, and your films meet it very well. Congratulations."

Producer Claire Wallerstein said: "With greenhouse gas emissions still rising every year, the window for meaningful action on the climate crisis is rapidly closing, but sadly, conversation around it these days so often seems to have become reduced to angry shouting. 

"With these films we really want to let people tell their own stories, showcase the practical action they’re taking, and create a space where everyone can be listened to."

A follow-up film, Hungry for Change, coming in the Spring, will look more closely at issues such as food waste, food miles, and what Cornwall could do to produce much more of its own food.

‘Food for Thought’ will be launched at MULTIPLE screening events, along with Q&A from the filmmakers and some of the participants, throughout January.

A Screening will take place on January 5 2023 at the Oxford Real Farming Conference in the Museum Makers Space between 1pm and 2pm.