Food Sovereignty Pt. 1: Brazil's Landless Workers Movement

Earth Matters

The food system accounts for about 25% of total greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is commonly left out of discussions about the climate emergency. Over half of the land on this continent is used for agriculture, but rarely do we bring food and farming into landback discussions. As a climate solution, as a nexus of decolonisation, as a battleground for workers’ rights and more, food is so close, so ever-present, we can forget to pay attention. There are, of course, exceptions; individual and communities who are working to fix what’s fixable, halt what’s causing harm, and build better food systems. In this episode, and my next one in a month’s time, you will hear from some of these unsung heroes, the farmers and organisers of the food sovereignty movement. This episode is an in-depth feature on Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement (MST), a champion of food sovereignty for over 40 years which has been instrumental in its development into a global movement. Ana Chã tells its story, where struggles for land, social transformation and human emancipation converge. Earth Matters #1502 was produced by Mia Audrey on the land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people.