One planet agriculture
There may be differing views on exactly when the tide will turn on our oil and carbon reserves, but many analysts predict that it is likely to happen before 2010. From the perspective of climate change, this is not a moment too soon. Although reserves will ensure reasonable availability for many decades subsequently, oil prices are likely to rise sharply, completely changing the dynamics of cost effectiveness in transport, food production, housing and alternative energy sources.

A new and irresistible driver will then, over the next few years, force change in the way we live, farm and buy our food. Whilst many of us have anticipated these changes, it has been the debate over environmental care, closer connection between citizens and the land, and animal welfare that has raised awareness of the need to change both our methods of production and the means by which we process and distribute our food. In the future, however, what has been 'nice to have' will become imperative.

The Soil Association's role, working with many others, is to anticipate and prepare for these changes, for the benefit of our farmers and growers, food networks and society. The Soil Association's 2007 Conference looked at what the surprisingly near future will bring and discussed strategies that will allow us to move confidently forward into a world post peak oil.

Listen to the speakers
The conference featured speakers including Dr Colin Campbell, Jonathon Porritt and Dr Vandana Shiva.
» listen to the podcasts and read the transcripts from the conference

One Planet Agriculture - The Case for Action
Download the One Planet Agriculture - The Case for Action booklet which includes key articles on peak oil, energy use and the need to relocalise food.
» Download the booklet


Make a donation
Please support our One Planet Agriculture Campaign – an initiative of such importance that it should become a defining feature of the Soil Association's work over the next decade and enable us to address the combined threats of climate change and fossil fuel depletion.
» donate to the One Planet Agriculture Campaign

Transition farming
Transition farming is the process by which UK agriculture begins to move away from its dependence on oil. This section provides information, advice and case studies for farmers on waste minimisation, water efficiency, and energy efficiency and production.
» go to transition farming

Peak oil
Peak oil refers to the point when the maximum amount of oil that can be extracted globally is reached. Thereafter, production will tail off as remaining reserves become more difficult and more expensive to harvest. Many of the services that we currently take for granted - cheap flights, cheap imports and global distribution of food - will be radically curtailed.
» more about peak oil