1. Environmental Impact Challenges to Food Systems A Biodiversity Focus Vicki-Jo Russell AM Conservation Council of SA From Plains to Plates Workshop Presentation 12 February 2010

2. South Australia’s Environmental Challenges – a snapshot in seconds Unstainable water extraction given current projections and practices The Conservation SA’s Blueprint for a Sustainable Future identifies some of the following challenges:

3. South Australia’s Environmental Challenges (Cont’d) Increasing rates of waste production, SA second highest nationally Ongoing pressure on fisheries with PIRSA reporting several now over fished, fully fished or environmentally limited

4. South Australia’s Environmental Challenges (Cont’d) Increasing competition for development land with high population targets, Adelaide’s trend beyond target of 2 million by 2050 Unabated demand for residential energy and transport use

5. South Australia’s Environmental Challenges (Cont’d) Ongoing decline of species and ecosystems, SA’s one of highest rates of extinction globally, over 1,200 listed species Bonn meeting 60% global biodiversity in decline Climate change threatens to accelerate

6. So what ?? I don’t eat Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-wren, Pygmy Bluetongue Lizards or Prickly Raspworts – so “So What?”

7. Biodiversity - not just a sparkly accessory 2002 parties to Convention on Biological Diversity committed to achieve significant halt to the decline of biodiversity at all scales as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to benefit all life on earth. At the heart of this was a recognition that biodiversity is essential to food security, water supply, research medicine and disaster mitigation at a global scale.

8. Food systems rely on biodiversity Ultimately what we eat now and could eat in future are forms of biodiversity What we eat; eats something else after all even if you are vegetarian Food systems rely on biodiversity for nutrient and waste recycling, pollination from insects, natural pest control, sediment and salinity control, clean water... Habitat can enhance production ie shelter from extreme temperatures and/or wind, fire protection, improved pasture growth

9. What threatens biodiversity? Every aspect of our life! Report: 2010 and Beyond, WWF-Australia

10. Our bind! We need biodiversity to produce food safely and sustainably The very act of living and producing or collecting food at present threatens biodiversity and the life support systems of our landscapes Good production systems can support biodiversity, and there are lots of alternatives to explore which could add function We need viable rural communities to manage the land We can minimise the damage within existing thinking but there are limits...

11. Can we turn this on its head? Can we turn this on its head, get out of our corners and plan new resilient landscapes together to achieve multiple outcomes We will need new thinking, planning and decision making with new partners This is the real challenge!