A Christian Perspective on a Sustainable Food System

This presentation will combine theology with science.  From a theological perspective I will argue that humanity’s relationship with creation is broken and one of the major consequence of this is the climate and nature crisis.  The end to these crises will come but before that things are going to get worse.  We should lament the destruction of our planet: to grieve for our world.  We are to repent of our contribution to this destruction as individuals but more importantly collectively.  Nevertheless there are grounds for hope which are largely hidden from us.  This perspective has consequences for our daily lives – particularly when it comes to food.  It means that individual efforts - e.g. to change our diets – will never be enough.  What is needed is fundamental changes to the food system based on a radical reappraisal of underlying assumptions.  These include an over-optimistic view of human nature, an over-reliance on science and technology, and an underlying economic system that favours competition over collaboration.

Mike Rayner has extensive experience in carrying out research into the promotion of healthy and sustainable diets.  He is a Professor of Population Health in the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford, and formerly Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on Population Approaches for Non-Communicable Disease Prevention there. He is also Chair of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming in the UK and Chair of the Nutrition Expert Group for the European Heart Network.  He is an ordained minister in the Church of England.

email: Mike.Rayner@ndph.ox.ac.uk  Twitter: @MikeRayner