Lessons from the past for a more resilient food future

Coining the term "agritecture" Henry Gordon-Smith explains the art, science, and business of integrating agriculture into urban spaces. Showcasing examples through history of how cities and countries promoted resilience to global crises by leveraging technological advances, Henry describes how involving more young people in collective urban agriculture efforts can unlock new opportunities for cities to adapt and thrive sustainably.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxThoughtForFood, an independent event. Read more about TEDx.

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Let's begin with a question: how many of you know how to grow your own food? 

If you have the special ability to select seeds, plant, and care for them, please raise your hand. 

Usually, when I ask this question, not many hands are raised. Unfortunately, most of us have lost our knowledge of food production. It's not completely our fault, but it is our responsibility to understand why we have lost this age-old ability and why it’s important to restore it broadly across society. Especially when we collectively face an existential threat like climate change. 

My name is Henry Gordon-Smith and I have spent the last decade studying urban agriculture around the world. I am fascinated by the act of growing and distributing food in the unconventional grounds of cities. I call this ‘Agritecture’: the art, science, and business of growing food in cities— and I believe this will play a key role in helping us all adapt to the challenges that a rapidly changing climate will throw our way. Climate change means that shocks to our global system will escalate, and cities, where the majority of our world’s population live, are especially vulnerable to the impacts of worsening storms, floods, and heat waves. We must adapt— and the ability to grow your own food is a skill that must be revitalized.

There’s clear evidence from the past global emergencies we faced on how urban agriculture makes us more resilient. 

During WWI, citizens in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany were encouraged to build “Victory Gardens” at private residences, churches, and public parks. These gardens supplemented food during a time of global scarcity. 

Citizens volunteered their time to grow food together for the greater good, and farmers focused their lands on the essentials. This collective effort meant that in the US, no forced food rationing was necessary in WWI. In addition to food grown, these gardens provided a boost to morale: people rolled up their sleeves, got dirty, and came together, stronger, reminded that we all must work together to adapt to a collective crisis. 

WW2 brought back victory gardens in a big way. It is estimated that by 1944, 40% of all US vegetables were grown in victory gardens!

During the cold war in the 1980’s, Cuba, like many countries, was heavily reliant on imports of synthetic fertilizers, farm equipment, and pesticides. 

As the Soviet Union weakened and then collapsed, Cuba lost 85% of its trade. Cuba was facing a food security crisis. And, guess what? …. They adapted by growing more food locally and in cities! 

By 1994, there were over 8,000 city farms in Havana alone. In 1998 an estimated half million tons of food were produced in Havana. They did this by transforming their food system to smaller scale, organic farming systems focused on local distribution. The success of these gardens has significantly contributed to the easing of Cuba’s food crisis.

These examples from global wars show what is possible when all hands are on deck to get through a crisis. And, we are still living through a global pandemic that has reminded us once again of the vulnerability of our food system. 

In Nairobi, lockdowns forced residents to shelter in place, leading to a significant number of residents relying on urban agriculture for a regular supply of food. From keeping dairy goats in the backyard and producing vegetables in public spaces, to rearing chickens along a shared corridor between houses in informal settlements, all these actions contributed to the adaptation of Nairobi to this system shock. 

In Thailand, many residents in Chiang Mai lost their jobs due to the pandemic. A plan was devised to convert unused land into an urban farm to support the poor. About half a dozen homeless families, students from a public school and members of the public began growing eggplant, corn, bananas, cassava, chili, tomatoes, kale and herbs. This food was a critical supplement of nutrition to Chiang Mai’s most vulnerable. 

As these examples and so many more show, urban agriculture can provide a protective buffer for humans affected by system shocks. 

Now, think about this: will we be able to weather the storms ahead? On the one hand, I am scared about the future. Today, less than 3% of the US population is involved in the cultivation of food, compared to 70% in 1840. We have benefitted from rapid technological advancements that have made food abundant. But that abundance also means we don’t fully understand the value of food itself and take it for granted. 

On the other hand, I am hopeful. 

Many baby boomers, like my parents, know how to garden and can teach us a thing or two. I for one love spending time with them tending to our garden and eating fresh & local food all summer long. It's not easy for me to pull myself away from emails and social media, but it's always worth it. 

What excites me the most about this moment is that all around the world, people are modernizing urban agriculture. Technology is allowing us to grow fruits and vegetables in greenhouses and vertical farms close to cities.  Many schools today not only have gardens but full-on indoor hydroponic farm labs to inspire and teach the next generation. We are using ‘Agritecture’ to green our rooftops, walls, and vacant spaces, making agriculture not just productive, but also beautiful & fun! Now we can grow food anywhere powered by digital technologies that save us time and labor. 

We must invest in urban agriculture now. And I don’t just mean the public and private sector: I mean you! 

Beyond the proven benefits to food security, community, and health, urban agriculture is unique in its ability to expand our understanding of the relationship between food, water, waste, and energy. And this nexus could help us grow much more than food: it could help us unlock new ways for cities to thrive sustainably. 

Bigger and badder storms are coming but we can act now, taking the lessons learned from the past for a more resilient future. The 21st century victory gardens are just getting started and we want you to be a part of it. 

Thank you.