Loabowa

Our unsustainable food systems are a major driver of the debt crisis. Import dependencies, extractive financial flows, boom-bust commodity cycles, and climate-vulnerable food systems are combining to destabilize the finances of the world's poorest countries.

In turn, unsustainable debt leaves countries critically exposed to shocks and undermines their ability to make urgently needed investments in climate-resilient food production and food security.

The expert panel calls for urgent action to:

Provide debt relief and development finance on a scale for COVID-19 recovery, climate action, resilient food systems, and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Repair historical food system injustices and return resources to the Global South.

Democratize financial and food systems governance to put the interests of the world’s poorest countries and marginalized populations first.

http://www.ipes-food.org/pages/debtfoodcrisis

Many citizens, scientists, and businesses believe that decisive actions are urgently needed to transform agri-food systems to limit runaway climate change, massive biodiversity loss, hunger and growing malnutrition. Bold new developments for sustainable agri-food transitions are being proposed in the North and global South. However, these developments are often rooted in different economic models, technological paradigms, cosmovisions, and actor networks.

This paper starts by briefly describing two contrasting visions or models of development that seek to radically transform food, farming, and land use today. The first focuses on modernising and sustaining capitalism through the promotion of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) in food and agriculture. The second emphasizes systemic change through food sovereignty and agroecology. The paper highlights some of the controversies and challenges associated with each of these two contrasting approaches to agri-food system transformation. Some of the most contested issues and battlegrounds that are shaping the development of food and agriculture today are discussed, - including discourses on modernity and the future of food & farming, the politics of knowledge and control over research, transformation for ecological sustainability, economics, and governance.

The structure of the paper is shown here: https://bit.ly/3ObBBq5

This report reveals how transformative solutions to the climate and food crises, such as agroecology for food sovereignty, risk being co-opted and weakened by the concept of nature based solutions.

The report investigates the rise of soil carbon sequestration as a source of carbon credits and how agribusinesses, fossil fuel corporations and tech companies stand to gain from them.

Link in stories & highlights.

This report reveals how transformative solutions to the climate and food crises, such as agroecology for food sovereignty, risk being co-opted and weakened by the concept of nature based solutions.

The report investigates the rise of soil carbon sequestration as a source of carbon credits and how agribusinesses, fossil fuel corporations and tech companies stand to gain from them.
https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/foei-double-jeopardy-full-report-EN.pdf

They prospered by adapting to the harsh desert conditions, harvesting olives after they fell from the tree to produce what they said was longer-lasting oil, and hoarding food against the next drought. Their olive groves and farm fields mapped the desert below for miles around.

"One day, maybe, this village will be empty of people," said Omar Moussaoui, 45, one of Chenini’s two remaining cave-diggers.... "And if we get scattered elsewhere, we won’t have the same traditions. If I go to Tunis, I’ll forget about all these traditions."

https://archive.ph/raCA2

Approaches in Africa that emphasize inclusivity, community partcipation, and collective decision-making include the concept of Barazas, which can be found in various African cultures.

This document is designed for field agents as they engage with communities.

Access the guide via link in stories.

Embark on a journey of self-discovery as you explore the profound connection between your indigenous identity and the pursuit of positive change:

Link in stories.

Embark on a journey of self-discovery as you explore the profound connection between your indigenous identity and the pursuit of positive change:

https://youtu.be/KvC2SiFy5GM?si=DmqUOqPm2HsQ5Drc

This book provides a historical and comparative perspective of peasant productivity using case studies portraying the extraordinary efficiency with which English cottagers, Jamaican ex-slaves, Guatemalan Mayan campesinos, Nigerian hill farmers and Kerala hut dwellers obtained bountiful and diversified harvests from small parcels of land, provisioning for their families and often local markets.

These stories provide us with pictures of carefully limited needs, of sustainable livelihoods and of resilient self-reliance attacked relentlessly and mercilessly in the name of capital, progress, development, modernity and/or the state.

For two hundred years we have been told that the hundreds of thousands, or millions, or billions of hungry mouths require that peasants be dispossessed to allow more industrious farmers to feed them. This book helps make it clear how wrong we have been.

Link in stories.

This book provides a historical and comparative perspective of peasant productivity using case studies portraying the extraordinary efficiency with which English cottagers, Jamaican ex-slaves, Guatemalan Mayan campesinos, Nigerian hill farmers and Kerala hut dwellers obtained bountiful and diversified harvests from small parcels of land, provisioning for their families and often local markets.

These stories provide us with pictures of carefully limited needs, of sustainable livelihoods and of resilient self-reliance attacked relentlessly and mercilessly in the name of capital, progress, development, modernity and/or the state.

For two hundred years we have been told that the hundreds of thousands, or millions, or billions of hungry mouths require that peasants be dispossessed to allow more industrious farmers to feed them. This book helps make it clear how wrong we have been.

https://cup.columbia.edu/book/tiny-engines-of-abundance/9781773635217

While seeds have become increasingly commodified in recent decades, they still constitute the foundation of most of the world’s food supply chains. The consolidation of the agrochemical and seed industries, especially in the last few years, has thus raised a number of concerns about this growing concentration of power.

Colossal changes have placed the majority of agrochemical and seed sales globally under the control of six firms by the early 2000s, and subsequent “megamergers” reduced this to just four firms by 2018.

Link in stories and highlights.

While seeds have become increasingly commodified in recent decades, they still constitute the foundation of most of the world’s food supply chains. The consolidation of the agrochemical and seed industries, especially in the last few years, has thus raised a number of concerns about this growing concentration of power. Colossal changes have placed the majority of agrochemical and seed sales globally under the control of six firms by the early 2000s, and subsequent “megamergers” reduced this to just four firms by 2018.

https://philhoward.net/2023/01/04/seed-digital/

In this illustrated book, “We Feed the World“, La Via Campesina with artist and activist Annelise Verdier collaborates to demonstrate the contrast between agribusiness-led and peasant-led visions of producing, distributing and consuming food. Social justice, gender justice and solidarity economies are essential pre-conditions for realizing food sovereignty.

Link in stories & highlights

In this illustrated book, “We Feed the World“, La Via Campesina with artist and activist Annelise Verdier collaborates to demonstrate the contrast between agribusiness-led and peasant-led visions of producing, distributing and consuming food. Social justice, gender justice and solidarity economies are essential pre-conditions for realizing food sovereignty.

https://viacampesina.org/en/we-feed-the-world-an-illustrated-book-in-defence-of-peasant-agriculture/

Reaching another model obviously means dismantling the old one, but above all promoting an alternative that will restore pride and dignity to those who adopt it and enable collective self-sufficiency and resilience in the face of successive shocks.

This effort means providing the resources necessary for transitioning farms and restoring respect for this underpaid, undervalued yet essential vocation. It’s an urgent challenge: 1 in 2 farmers will retire in the next 10 years.

Opposing anti-environmental and anti-worker free-trade agreements, developing short food supply chains, paying our farmers better, empowering them in the face of agroindustry and distributors, and fighting against land grabbing and loss: these are our battles and they are achieving real cut through."

Link in stories & highlights.

Shirika – Staying Connected: how we suggest communities should continue to engage with each other even after the sessions with field agents.

Facilitating the self-organization and ongoing engagement of the group after the community engagement can be achieved through a structured yet collaborative approach. This guide provides examples of how this can be facilitated.

Access the guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P_zMk65oQC9gIcwrDouQq_oI5kFPeXNj/view

Shirika – Staying Connected: How we suggest communities should continue to engage with each other even after the sessions with field agents.

Facilitating the self-organization and ongoing engagement of the group after the community engagement can be achieved through a structured yet collaborative approach. This guide provides examples of how this can be facilitated.

Access the guide via link in stories.

We are fundraising for the Mbura Experiment to translate climate knowledge into native languages that local communities can understand. This will bridge the climate knowledge gap that currently exists among communities.

Please spread the word and encourage others to donate! Anything and everything helps. No donation is too small!

Donate here: https://loabowa.co/mbura/donate/

We are fundraising for the Mbura Experiment to translate climate knowledge into native languages that local communities can understand. This will bridge the climate knowledge gap that currently exists among communities.

Please spread the word and encourage others to donate! Anything and everything helps. No donation is too small!

Donation link in stories.

🌿A Meditation Centred on Indigenous Exploration🌿

Today, we are excited to share with you a meditation experience that delves deep into the roots of our identity and calls upon the spirit of Indigenous heritage for empowerment and change.

🌟 Title: "The Path of Sovereignty: Connecting with Indigenous Identity for Empowered Change"

We invite you to join us as we explore the rich tapestry of our Indigenous identities and how they shape our past, present, and future endeavours for positive societal transformation.

🔗 Access the Meditation Audio via link in stories.

Let's explore, connect, and empower ourselves and each other. We look forward to sharing this meaningful journey with you.

Are you concerned about the ecological and climate challenges we face? Are you feeling the weight? You're not alone. The Deep Adaptation Review offers you a lifeline of understanding and acceptance.

Dive into the latest issue to discover insights and initiatives surrounding the pressing issue of societal collapse.

Let's navigate this turbulent world together, gaining knowledge to empower ourselves and chart a path that holds us all in collaboration, fostering greater respect for nature, and each other. It's about better acceptance and healing. Ultimately building a more harmonious future.

Explore the Deep Adaptation Review now:

🔗 https://mailchi.mp/cumbria/deep-adaptation-quarterly-may-6139154

Together, we can find ways to understand better, adapt, and thrive in the face of change 🌟

Are you concerned about the ecological and climate challenges we face? Are you feeling the weight? You're not alone. The Deep Adaptation Review offers you a lifeline of understanding and acceptance.

Dive into the latest issue to discover insights and initiatives surrounding the pressing issue of societal collapse.

Let's navigate this turbulent world together, gaining knowledge to empower ourselves and chart a path that holds us all in collaboration, fostering greater respect for nature, and each other. It's about better acceptance and healing. Ultimately building a more harmonious future.

Explore the Deep Adaptation Review now:

🔗Link in stories

Together, we can find ways to understand better, adapt, and thrive in the face of change.

Indigenous Identity Meditation for Social Change

This meditation is rooted in Buddhist principles and invites participants to explore and embrace their indigenous identities while reflecting on their past, present, and future plans for making positive changes in society. By grounding ourselves in our indigenous heritage, we can tap into a deep well of wisdom and strength, fostering a sense of empowerment and resilience. It aims to foster a sense of connection, empowerment, and mindfulness among participants, compassion, drawing on the wisdom of indigenous cultures and teachings and a renewed commitment to social transformation.

Download the guide through link in stories.

Indigenous Identity Meditation for Social Change

This meditation is rooted in Buddhist principles and invites participants to explore and embrace their indigenous identities while reflecting on their past, present, and future plans for making positive changes in society. By grounding ourselves in our indigenous heritage, we can tap into a deep well of wisdom and strength, fostering a sense of empowerment and resilience. It aims to foster a sense of connection, empowerment, and mindfulness among participants, compassion, drawing on the wisdom of indigenous cultures and teachings and a renewed commitment to social transformation.

Download the guide here: https://bit.ly/mediationguideforchangemakers