Land Use in the UK

[BritDownUnder]

I saw this graphic on LinkedIn on land use by sector in the UK. I hope the photo works for everyone else.

I will have to find one for Australia.

[clv101]

You can see why some target beef!

In Monbiot's latest book he describes organic, pasture fed ('cos it takes way more time and area) as the most damaging form of agriculture. His argument is all based on the opportunity cost of pasture fed beef.

What could we do with that land were it not feeding cows?

He suggests massive biodiversity increases and carbon sequestration (also less CH4) on most of it (through rewilding) and a bit of it used for much more intensive/productive food production, horticulture or his pet project of precision fermentation.

[adam2]

I enjoy beef, but have reduced consumption due to environmental concerns.
Some beef eating is probably a good thing, but a lot less than now. Milk, butter, and cheese are important foods and cant be produced on a large scale without beef also resulting. Near me, beef cattle are raised on land that is otherwise almost useless due to winter flooding.
We may yet be reduced to oxen for motive power. Leather is needed, and that from cow hides is preferred for most purposes.

During the last war, beef was still available but in very restricted volumes due to the need to maximise cereal production.

Perhaps we should eat less beef, and encourage mutton instead. The hardy types of free range sheep may be reared on land unsuited to most crops. BTW, the much admired and often protected "natural" landscapes in much of the UK are not natural but results from centuries of sheep rearing. Wool from sheep is likely to be in increased demand.

[Vortex2]

Monbiot is now suggesting that we phase out farming entirely.

We would eat cloned foods made in factories.

Hmmm ...

[BritDownUnder]

Another interesting map, this time of soil quality in Europe. Guess where the best soils are.

[BritDownUnder]

Here's a land use map for Australia.