First published on 26/11/2023
Author: Frédéric Leroy (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium)
The primary objective of the website is to present a more equitable portrayal of how domesticated animals contribute to the food system, countering prevailing negative portrayals of animal agriculture in both media and policies (as documented here). My motivation stems from concerns that a drastic reduction of livestock, purportedly for the sake of human and planetary health, could potentially lead to more harm than good (as argued here). Even though it may not always be a popular position, I am certainly not alone in holding this opinion. More than 40 experts have joined the ALEPH2020 initiative, either as endorsers, reviewers, or providers of content. For similar reasons, I have played a direct role in establishing the 2022 'Dublin Declaration of Scientists on the Societal Role of Livestock', providing a platform for over a thousand scientists to articulate shared concerns.
If, however, I describe ALEPH2020 as a 'dynamic' white paper, it is because the website does not aspire to convey an absolute truth. Instead, its goal is to provide an evolving summary of the evidence and present it in a reasonably coherent manner. For those aspiring to shape an informed opinion on agriculture, it is imperative to acknowledge the need to navigate a labyrinth of interactions involving humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms—all interconnected through intricate energy and nutrient flows, contingent upon a delicate balance of soil, water, and atmospheric conditions. These constituents weave into a sophisticated tapestry of relations, regulated by the interplay of negative and positive feedback. Even when focusing on the relatively narrower topic of human health, the intricacy remains beyond complete comprehension. Tackling such complexity demands humility.
Manipulating intricate systems with oversimplified assumptions carries inherent risks, and any drastic intervention in the food system could lead to unforeseen, potentially catastrophic consequences. Claims that slashing current levels of animal production will save the planet are a recipe for disaster. Yet, we cannot settle for the status quo. Interventions are crucial to address the many imperfections of our current food system, tackling environmental issues, animal welfare concerns, and impacts on human health. Anticipating harm to future generations is paramount, but as a humanist, I will resist jeopardizing the well-being of the present population with large-scale untested interventions or speculative scenarios.
In a series of upcoming opinion pieces, which I hope to write in the not so far future, I will address the following (largely epistemological) issues that I consider to be essential to this debate:
- What are complex systems, and why do we need to approach them carefully?
- Why is the food system a complex system, and what does that mean for policy?
- What is eco-utopianism, how widespread is it, and how could it harm the food system?
- Why is human health a complex system too, and how is it harmed by misguided policies?
- What are the true needs of human communities, and how do they evolve?
- Why is there currently a mismatch between needs and (food) system reality?
- How can we maximize our chances of a sustainable and healthy future food system?
(To be continued…)
