PhD student Kirsty Blair reflects on her team’s experience taking part in the Futures area of Glastonbury Festival 2024. We were thrilled to be invited to represent the University of Edinburgh in the Science Futures area of Green Fields at Glastonbury. Our exhibit, titled Feeding the Future, explored critical questions about the future of food systems and sustainability. Nestled in Glastonbury Festival’s vibrant Green Fields, our team's stall and stage performance sparked engaging discussions on sustainable food systems, captivating hundreds of festival-goers with interactive games and immersive experiences. Image Sustainability and healthy diets One of the highlights of the stall was our interactive games and activities, including the Top Trumps inspired card game exploring the environmental and health footprints of various food types. The card game based on the latest data from the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems was a hit with both kids and adults, sparking conversations about reducing environmental impacts and improving health. We also had a display with various food types. Visitors selected food items to put on a plate to represent their typical diet and compared it to the health and environment-focused EAT-Lancet Plate , the health-focused Eatwell Plate and the average UK diet. Many were surprised by the high recommended intake of fruits and vegetables and the low recommended intake of meat and dairy on the health and environment-focused plate. Conversely, they were shocked by the high carbohydrate and meat consumption and low fruit and vegetable intake in the average UK diet. Our stall also featured information cards on key aspects of food systems, including livestock impacts, food transport, local supply chains and debates around land use. We highlighted alternative farming practices, agricultural subsidies, environmental impacts of the agricultural revolution, inefficiencies and waste in the global food system and offered tips for a healthy, sustainable diet. These cards sparked curiosity and encouraged festival-goers to consider their role in a sustainable food system. Food futures At our voting station, visitors engaged with four possible future scenarios and learned about what policy planning and research will be needed for each one to move towards a net zero UK, as described by the Agri Food for Net Zero Network (AFN+). The public expressed diverse perspectives on what they would like to see versus what they expected to see in the future of food systems. Many maintained hope for positive changes, such as circular farming systems, cooperatives, and social equity, rather than a continuation of business as usual. Image Sustainability pledge We had the opportunity to speak with a wide range of individuals, including teachers, farmers, butchers, academics, activists and school children. The feedback was largely positive, with many expressing an interest in sustainable food systems and a desire to make changes in their own lives. Some visitors left pledges, committing to actions such as reducing waste, adopting healthier and more environmentally friendly diets, and incorporating more vegetables and plant-based foods. Many also enjoyed posing with our cardboard cut-out cow, adding a fun and memorable element to their experience. Interactive games Another major highlight was our stage performance, Foodopoly: A Game in Global Food Sustainability, held at the Laboratory Stage. This immersive experience transformed attendees into active players in a larger-than-life board game, reflecting the intricate web of global food systems. Players navigated increasing complexities to maintain food availability, environmental health, and human and animal well-being, while avoiding crashing the system. The audience voted on decisions like organic vs. local food systems and production-focused vs. nature-focused farming, each decision carrying consequences and facing unexpected global events like heatwaves or agricultural conflicts. The game aimed not only to entertain but to foster understanding of the collaborative efforts needed to sustainably feed the world while protecting our environment. A Q&A session followed the performance, where we discussed food waste, losses and inefficiencies and were asked about regulations we would impose if we were Prime Minister. Our consensus was a need for improved policies, including payments for public goods, farm diversification and promoting less but better meat. As the sun sets on Glastonbury 2024, our presence has left us feeling inspired by the connections made, the ideas exchanged and the seeds of change planted. Image We hope these discussions will continue to ripple outward, influencing how we think about food and sustainability. We look forward to continuing this conversation and working towards a more sustainable future for all. The Feeding the Future team forms part of the Transforming the Debate about livestock systems transformation (TRADE) project funded by the UKRI to understand the role of livestock in the UK food system. All of the resources from the stall and stage performance are available on the TRADE project’s webpage, or by emailing us. Related links Webpage Twitter LinkedIn Kirsty Blair’s profile Prof Peter Alexander’s profile Dr Jay Burns’ profile
