Climate Underground Conference

This 3-day conference was a space to explore the state of the food system including what can be done to accelerate adoption of regenerative agriculture, build resilient food systems, revitalize ecosystems, and stabilize the climate.

Hosted by Vice President Al Gore, speakers included practitioners, scientists, food justice advocates, journalists, and chefs including Michael Pollan, Qiana Mickie, Naomi Starkman, Ricardo Salvador, Bill Salas, Rodney Rulon, Alice Waters, and many others. One of the central themes was the interconnection of the food system to all parts of our economy and society. Even COVID-19 was discussed as a pressing issue in the food system because of the impact it has had on the industrial food supply chain including disruption to markets, logistics, and production. The conference was an important reminder of how central the food system is for human justice and wellbeing, environmental health and biodiversity, and stability for the global climate. As conference speakers agreed, the time to act is now if we want to secure a healthy and resilient future for humans and the planet.