A screening of the 2021 documentary Eating Our Way to Extinction will be held in Murwillumbah later this month, highlighting the environmental impact of animal agriculture and featuring a panel discussion unpacking the science behind the film.<\/p>\n
The event is being presented by the Caldera Environment Centre in partnership with the Tweed Climate Action Network (CAN), and will include a discussion with climate scientist Gerard Wedderburn-Bisshop and plant-based chef and nutrition instructor Veet Karen.<\/p>\n
Directed by Ludovic Brockway and Otto Brockway and narrated by Kate Winslet, the documentary examines the environmental consequences of industrial animal agriculture, linking it to deforestation, biodiversity loss and rising greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n
The film argues that reducing reliance on animal-based foods and increasing plant-based diets can help address global environmental pressures.<\/p>\n
“The two greatest causes for concern today are climate change and biodiversity loss, and these filmmakers found that the greatest influence on both of those, particularly through deforestation and habitat loss, is agriculture,” Wedderburn-Bisshop said.<\/p>\n
He was commissioned to write a companion book to the documentary, exploring the science behind the issues raised.<\/p>\n
“Each chapter in the book deals with a particular crisis that we face, such as climate, biodiversity loss, nutrient pollution, ocean dead zones, water quality, land degradation and food security,” he said.<\/p>\n
Wedderburn-Bisshop said his perspective is shaped by decades of experience mapping deforestation in Queensland.<\/p>\n
“We would see 11 square kilometres of forest destroyed each day, and over 90% of that was for grazing,” he said.<\/p>\n
“So, for red meat and dairy, we’re seeing over half a million trees destroyed every day just in Queensland.”<\/p>\n
He said food systems play a major role in environmental outcomes.<\/p>\n
“What we see in the film shows that major impacts are decided by what we eat, giving us leverage to control greenhouse emissions and species loss,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The science clearly shows that what is driving environmental crises like habitat loss and carbon loss is food.”<\/p>\n
Wedderburn-Bisshop said the panel discussion would help build local understanding.<\/p>\n
“The film shows the global picture, but it’s important for us to think about that in the local context,” he said.<\/p>\n
Tweed CAN member Ari Ehrlich said the screening marks the group’s first major public event.<\/p>\n
“The film and the discussion will help people understand the importance, for nature and the economy, of prioritising plant-based food growing and eating,” Ehrlich said.<\/p>\n
“It will put people in touch with likeminded locals who are actively putting their ideas into action.”<\/p>\n
The screening and discussion will be held on April 22 from 6pm to 9pm at the Murwillumbah Citadel, with tickets available through Humanitix.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A screening of the 2021 documentary Eating Our Way to Extinction will be held in Murwillumbah later this month, highlighting the environmental impact of animal agriculture and featuring a panel discussion unpacking the science behind the film. The event is being presented by the Caldera Environment Centre in partnership with the Tweed Climate Action Network […]<\/p>\n