Greening Europe through grassroots

Published: 23 Sep 2008

A well-attended talk on the future of food was given by Molly Scott-Cato today at the United Reform Church in Bath. Molly, a SW Green Party European Election candidate, was invited by Bath’s Transition Towns group to share her expertise in the field of community supported agriculture. Local Green activists, including fellow Euro candidate, Chloë Somers, came to listen.

Molly spoke about how a supportive mutual partnership between farmers and consumers has wide-reaching benefits, such as access to fresh healthy produce from a known source, better value, a stable market and a fairer return for producers and a reduction in 'food miles'. Her involvement in the Stroud Community Agriculture group, established in 2001, formed the basis of her presentation and provided an example of the success of this kind of venture.

"Eating from our local soil could eliminate up to a third of all our carbon dioxide emissions", said Molly. "Growing your own food can make a more significant impact on climate change than any decisions you make about personal transport."

"As the global food market grows more competitive what do we have to trade in return for the staples of our existence? Those famous 'services' that now make up 73% of our economy. I wonder how many customers we will have for our financial services over the next year or two. Will we soon be asking how many investment analysts it takes to grow a carrot, rather than to change a light bulb?"

"It’s important that people work together to realise a Green vision for their community", Molly concluded. "It's not difficult, but it does take time, which is why we need to start now before it's too late. Grassroots action combined with real Green politics is a positive way to push for change."