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Using AI to reduce agricultural emissions – risks, opportunities, trade-offs & research gaps
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast opening up a world of new possibilities in multiple areas - and a lot of questions too. For food and farming, a big question is whether and how it can help us reduce emissions faster, in what is a critical decade for tackling climate change.
Alongside this though, it also raises other issues for discussion, such as; are there risks of using AI in agriculture, and might there be unintended consequences and trade offs? It also begs the question - what needs more attention, resourcing and research to ensure we can make the most of AI while also guarding against any risks and negative outcomes?
We have three speakers to take us on a whistle stop tour of what AI might mean for crop and livestock production. Please come ready with questions and a spirit of open debate - AI is an emerging technology and we may need to raise more questions than we answer.
About Andrew:
Andrew French [www.nottingham.ac.uk/biosciences/people/andrew.p.french] is a professor of Computer Science at the University of Nottingham, where he leads the Computer Vision Lab. He has worked closely with plant scientists on a wide range of image-based data analysis challenges for nearly 20 years. Of course, today this means developing an array of AI-based approaches to image analysis of plants and crops. Andrew also leads the AI in the Biosciences community building network, along with a team of co-leads from around the UK.
About Paddy:
Paddy Tarbuck [www.linkedin.com/in/paddytarbuck] is Innovation Lead in Agri-Food Sustainability at UK Agri-Tech Centre, where he drives sustainability towards net zero and biodiversity goals by fostering collaboration across academia, industry, and the third sector. With a BA in Politics and an MA in Climate Change, his career spans civil society, finance, trade associations, and the UN. Before joining the UKATC, he co-founded two seaweed ventures in Southeast Asia, embedding sustainability principles and securing funding. Paddy’s expertise includes carbon and nature markets, regenerative farming, and climate finance. He is passionate about addressing the climate and ecological emergency by focusing on evidence-based, holistic solutions for sustainable agri-food systems and land use.
About James:
James Strong [www.aber.ac.uk/en/cs/staff-profiles/listing/profile/jes15/] is a Research Software Engineer at Aberystwyth University, currently working on the Miscanthus AI Net Zero project, where his role involves investigating how AI models can support plant breeders in selection and breeding processes. His research background lies in bio-inspired AI, exploring how biological systems can inspire innovative approaches to navigation and problem-solving.
About the webinar series:
The webinar is chaired by Jez Fredenburgh, Knowledge Exchange Fellow for the AFN Network+, and agri-food journalist. Jez is based at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia.
This webinar is part of a series run by AFN Network+ which explores net zero in the UK agri-food system with leading movers and shakers. Expect deep and varied insight from across the sector, including farmers, scientists, policy analysts, community leaders, retailers, politicians, businesses and health professionals.
The series is put together by Jez and Prof Neil Ward, also based at the University of East Anglia, and a co-lead of AFN Network+.
Watch past webinars here - www.agrifood4netzero.net/reso...
Follow AFN Network+ on Twitter/X x.com/AFNnetwork and LinkedIn / agrifood4netzero
Join our growing network of 2,000+ people across UK agri-food working on food system transformation, from academics to farmers, food companies, NGOs, policy makers and citizens www.agrifood4netzero.net/join
The AFN Network+ is funded by UKRI www.ukri.org/
Переглядів: 106

Відео

‘World building’ and ‘behaviour change’ - how to make sustainable and healthy diets the easy choice
Переглядів 210Місяць тому
Individual irresponsibility - that’s the reason we’re all overweight, unhealthy and eating unsustainable diets, right? If you agreed with the dominant political messaging of the last few years, then you’d answer yes. But there’s a growing recognition that our environment - the shops and food available in our neighbourhoods, the advertising we see, how different foods are costed and displayed, e...
Inheritance tax changes - what do they mean for farming & net zero?
Переглядів 490Місяць тому
This is not a tax advice webinar for farmers, but rather a look at what's happened, what the impact could be on the farming sector, and what this might mean for its ability to transition and mitigate climate change One story has dominated the media since the Chancellor’s Budget: The decision to reduce Agricultural Property Relief for farming businesses. Many farmers have been very vocal about t...
Labour’s first 100 days in office - where are we heading on food, farming, climate and health?
Переглядів 1622 місяці тому
THIS WEBINAR WAS RECORDED ON 16 OCTOBER 2024 Labour is back in power, but with a brimming intray for matters related to food, farming, climate and health: There’s Defra’s missing net zero plan; farmer confidence at rock-bottom; fruit and veg growers leaving the sector; increasing health inequalities, and the NHS in ‘serious trouble’. All of this while facing a more unstable world politically an...
Alternative proteins - what’s in it for farmers & land use?
Переглядів 2523 місяці тому
Livestock production and alternative proteins are likely to sit side-by-side in the coming years, with alternative products taking greater market share than currently. But what might this mean for farmers? And what potential might this present to use more land for carbon sequestration and other needs? Prof Tom MacMillan and colleagues from the Royal Agricultural University argue that we should ...
Chris Stark: What I’ve learnt about climate change policy and agri-food
Переглядів 1,1 тис.5 місяців тому
In this webinar we deep dive into Chris Stark’s insights, frustrations and reflections as the country’s leading climate change policy expert. Chris is one of the most well-known figures in climate policy, and was until April chief executive of the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC). He left the CCC in April to become CEO of the Carbon Trust, but on 9th July was asked by the new Energy Security...
Using systems thinking to transform our food: Beans as an analytical lens
Переглядів 3706 місяців тому
Given the complex nature of the UK food system, it is clear that interventions to transform it will need to be designed from a systems perspective, i.e. as systemic innovations. Key questions therefore include; what should be the boundaries of the system? Which actors and what perspectives would have to be involved? What collaboration would be needed? How could all the moving parts pull in one ...
10. The Waitrose farm journey towards net zero - Andrew Ferguson
Переглядів 1076 місяців тому
What is the farmer's perspective on progressing towards net zero emissions? What are the practical and business challenges, opportunities and needs we need to consider to enable wider adoption of methane mitigating technologies at the farm business level? Andrew Ferguson is the general manager at the Waitrose-owned Leckford Estate in Hampshire, where he has led the transition to a regenerative ...
9. Full scale up - turning methane from farms into energy - Dr Chris Mann
Переглядів 926 місяців тому
How are technologies for turning methane from farms into energy, progressing? What are the practical and business challenges, opportunities and needs we need to consider to enable wider adoption of methane mitigating technologies at the farm business level? Dr Chris Mann is the co-founder, chairman and chief technology officer at Bennamann, which works at all stages of the fugitive methane valu...
8. Modular AD for improved slurry management on farm - Eoin Sharkey
Переглядів 376 місяців тому
How do we mitigate methane emissions from manure in practice? How are technologies for this progressing? What are the practical and business challenges, opportunities and needs we need to consider to enable wider adoption of methane mitigating technologies at the farm business level? Eoin Sharkey, founder & CEO of BioFactory Energy, which is developing micro-scale Anaerobic Digestion solutions ...
7. Small scale AD - converting manure waste into renewable energy - James Rundell
Переглядів 256 місяців тому
How do we mitigate methane emissions from manure in practice? How are technologies for this progressing? What are the practical and business challenges, opportunities and needs we need to consider to enable wider adoption of methane mitigating technologies at the farm business level? James Rundell, is head of sales at QUBE Renewables, which designs, builds, and installs small-scale anaerobic di...
6. Barriers and enablers to anaerobic digestion adoption on farms - Angela Bywater
Переглядів 416 місяців тому
What are the barriers that hold the adoption of anaerobic digestion back? And what are the enablers that can help increase adoption, and reduce emissions? Angela Bywater, research fellow at the University of Southampton, presents. Angela is also the co-manager for the Environmental Biotechnology Network (EBNet), network manager for BBSRC's Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIB...
4. A roadmap for decarbonisation in agriculture - Prof Neil Ward
Переглядів 876 місяців тому
Mitigating methane emissions is vital to meet the global methane pledge (30% by 2030) - how does this fit with wider activities to decarbonise agriculture and the energy system, and what do we need to do to accelerate activity? Prof Neil Ward, from the University of East Anglia, and AFN Network co-lead, presents a roadmap for decarbonising agriculture. This presentation was given on 12th May 20...
2. Are official estimates of methane emissions from manure, accurate? Prof Andy Atkins
Переглядів 676 місяців тому
How confident can we be that the methane emissions from farm manure are being estimated correctly? What if emissions are higher than the national inventory? Prof Andy Atkins, chief scientist at the International Fugitive Emissions Abatement Association (IFEAA), and Prof Neil Ward, at the University of East Anglia, have been looking into research evidence. Prof Atkins presents. This presentation...
1. Methane, agriculture and the UK inventory - Dr Laura Cardenas
Переглядів 876 місяців тому
How much methane is UK agriculture emitting? Dr Laura Cardenas, principal research scientist and atmospheric chemist at Rothamsted Research, works on calculating the annual GHG emissions of farming for the UK government. This goes into the national inventory and is supplied to the UN-IPCC. Here, she explains how she does it and what data she uses. This presentation was given on 12th May 2024 at...
Systems Thinking: How to address highly complex problems
Переглядів 9067 місяців тому
Systems Thinking: How to address highly complex problems
Methane, muck & money - are we missing a trick with manure?
Переглядів 1838 місяців тому
Methane, muck & money - are we missing a trick with manure?
Navaratnam Partheeban speaks to AFN Big Tent 24
Переглядів 1159 місяців тому
Navaratnam Partheeban speaks to AFN Big Tent 24
Judith Batchelar speaking at AFN Network Big Tent 2024
Переглядів 1949 місяців тому
Judith Batchelar speaking at AFN Network Big Tent 2024
Sue Pritchard speaking at AFN Network+ Big Tent 2024
Переглядів 3159 місяців тому
Sue Pritchard speaking at AFN Network Big Tent 2024
The peatland dilemma - should we continue to cultivate, & if so how?
Переглядів 4919 місяців тому
The peatland dilemma - should we continue to cultivate, & if so how?
Food security under pressure: UK fruit in an era of climate change - with Ali Capper
Переглядів 20510 місяців тому
Food security under pressure: UK fruit in an era of climate change - with Ali Capper
Food security under pressure: UK veg in an era of climate change - with Lee Stiles
Переглядів 28910 місяців тому
Food security under pressure: UK veg in an era of climate change - with Lee Stiles
Aiming for net zero in food & farming - what are the wins and trade-offs? - with Dr Pete Falloon
Переглядів 40411 місяців тому
Aiming for net zero in food & farming - what are the wins and trade-offs? - with Dr Pete Falloon
'The undeserving poor': How food system transformation is middle class & why this needs to change
Переглядів 557Рік тому
'The undeserving poor': How food system transformation is middle class & why this needs to change
Breaking out of business as usual - alternative paths for UK agri-food
Переглядів 265Рік тому
Breaking out of business as usual - alternative paths for UK agri-food
Prof Tim Benton, COP veteran on: What next for food and farming at UNFCCC COP?
Переглядів 307Рік тому
Prof Tim Benton, COP veteran on: What next for food and farming at UNFCCC COP?
Young farmers and the drive to net zero
Переглядів 226Рік тому
Young farmers and the drive to net zero
Government for an agri-food revolution - lessons from Whitehall
Переглядів 364Рік тому
Government for an agri-food revolution - lessons from Whitehall
Carbon markets - a sequestration v food dilemma, or a big opportunity?
Переглядів 306Рік тому
Carbon markets - a sequestration v food dilemma, or a big opportunity?

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @Rickwardful
    @Rickwardful 2 місяці тому

    Zeichner knows full well that Agriculture is in reality the fastest way to achieve the target to ‘Get close to’ Net zero. (It is in reality is impossible!) But a lot of what he says here makes sense. Which compared to most of his Labour colleagues, who make very little sense at all. That goes for the NFU too!

  • @RShanbhogue
    @RShanbhogue 3 місяці тому

    The technology of precision fermentation to procedure the proteins planed and will produce meat as planned. Just need funding and lab to work on and Initiate the project work.

  • @charlottewheeler7383
    @charlottewheeler7383 3 місяці тому

    I find it really interesting that there was no pushback on the idea that tree-planting and livestock are incompatible, when there is so much interesting work being done on agroforestry systems and silvopasture and silvoarable. We need to stop thinking in terms of all units of land being used for "one thing" only

  • @aleg09alegg62
    @aleg09alegg62 4 місяці тому

    We need to start from the stark realities dictated by physics though. ‘Optimism’ must not result in false solutions that kick the can down the road. 1) Peatland restoration needs to be on a huge scale; And it is unclear if the very changes in climate will turn even intact peatlands into sources. 2) Planting now on non mineral soils would often result in carbon loss or a very small carbon gain *by 2050*, due to soil C loss and time lags in tree growth. 3) Soil saturates with carbon and it can release it again. So its role is there but also limited. 4) Grazing animals emit a substantial amount and their reduction ( admittedly difficult) from a scientific point of view would result in a quick reduction in emissions. 5) it is not just about net zero but cumulative emissions, to avoid approaching/passing tipping points. There is a huge difference in total emissions in Net Zero reached in e.g. 2030, 2040, 2050, 2060 etc.. Early reductions are thus much more preferable. So, however you frame reductions, this must be the principal consideration, if climate change is an issue we care about. Every little helps but we need to be clear how much it can contribute. Policy must reason about these facts ( and more) to be evidence based.

  • @deadskunk2633
    @deadskunk2633 4 місяці тому

    Great lecture, thanks for sharing!

  • @ctmorrison
    @ctmorrison 4 місяці тому

    if meat and dairy get subsidised by gov should veg get carbon credits that go to customer .why would i pay my taxes to government so they can subsidise meat and dairy polluters? polluters do not pay taxpayers pay for pollution. landlords should be ripe for labour to exploit the same way we have been

  • @jansasak39
    @jansasak39 5 місяців тому

    Let's turn Cornwall into temperate rainforest! It is needed, it is entirely possible and moors are biodiversity deserts anyway.

  • @ctmorrison
    @ctmorrison 5 місяців тому

    I the environmental arguments for change in land use and agri intensive farms are seen as a carrot to incentivise change. there also needs to be a stick approach by government by limiting or abolishing subsidies to intensive meat and dairy

  • @jonlaban4272
    @jonlaban4272 5 місяців тому

    Methinks land use will start to open controversial questions on land ownership and it's reform. I recommend reading ' Who owns England '

    • @jeanmckendree6739
      @jeanmckendree6739 5 місяців тому

      And also "The Poor Had No Lawyers" which tells how Scotland's legal establishment and politicians managed to appropriate land through legal fixes.

  • @mehol5312
    @mehol5312 5 місяців тому

    I Cant really be bothered to comment on the stupidity of these people!

  • @BruceScholten-do5td
    @BruceScholten-do5td 7 місяців тому

    INDIA 's COOPERATIVES HARVEST DAIRY METHANE (Scholten 2023 Dairy Farming in the 21st Century: p148) 'India’s White Revolution continues with the National Dairy Development Board’s ( Scholten 2010c; RGS-IBG RGRG Newsletter, Sum 2019) Dairy Plan-Phase 1, in which women are managers of both renewable energy and nutrients in villages. I In April 2019 research for this book, we visited Mujkuva Village, about 20km from AMUL co-op & NDDB headquarters in Anand, Gujarat, north of Mumbai, where ten houses, linked to the bovine biogas system, enjoy smokeless cooking fires and electric light for children’s study and family evenings. Th e 1,000-village pilot is blooming to 5,000 across India. 'An NDDB technician emphasized that, just as in Operation Flood, women manage cash derived from the sales of new biogas slurry and compost products to crop farmers. Old-tech methane extractors used heavy concrete modules. New PVC ‘pillows’ are easier to bury, use and repair. Women also control Kobas Dam (aka dung money) with (a) liquid-and (b) solid micronutrients, and (c) phosphate-rich organic manure (PROM) for replenishing organic and non-organic soils that have been strained by up to three annual maize or fodder crops. Solar pumping uses tech licensed from a private firm, via solar panels for the irrigation of crops and pastures for cattle fodder.'

  • @nickviney9016
    @nickviney9016 8 місяців тому

    @sue Pritchard . Thanks for being brave. Thanks for recognising that we need to speak the truth about where we’re at at that there is a bright way forward. Thanks for highlighting the role of imagination in this space and how we can start to help others to envision the abundance of a clean green food ‘machine’🌼

  • @616ShadowFox
    @616ShadowFox 10 місяців тому

    thanks for putting this up