Professor Dave Goulson Eat the Planet Well: How to Fix our Toxic Food System - One Meal at a T

About

Our modern food system has transformed the way we eat, but at what cost to our health, wildlife and the natural world? Intensive farming, pesticides, ultra-processed foods and the decline of biodiversity have created a system that is increasingly damaging both people and the environment.In his compelling new book, Eat the Planet Well, acclaimed environmentalist and bestselling author Professor Dave Goulson examines what has gone wrong with the way we produce and consume food - and, more importantly, what we can do to put it right. Shortlisted for the 2026 Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing, the book has been described by environmentalist Isabella Tree as one that "everyone needs to read", while Caroline Lucas calls it "a clarion call". Goulson offers a hopeful and practical vision of a healthier, more sustainable future.Drawing on the latest scientific research, Goulson explores the connections between intensive agriculture, declining insect populations, soil health, pesticides and human wellbeing. Should we all become vegan? Is organic food really worth the extra cost? Which foods have the lowest environmental impact, and how can we reduce our dependence on harmful chemicals? What should governments, farmers and supermarkets be doing differently?Above all, Goulson offers practical recommendations for ordinary households: eating more sustainably, reducing food waste, supporting nature-friendly farming, growing some of our own food and making informed choices about what we buy. He argues that, even while governments and large corporations are slow to act, the choices we make every day can help transform the food system.In this fascinating and thought-provoking talk, Professor Goulson examines the future of food, the importance of protecting biodiversity and the surprisingly simple changes that could help restore the health of both ourselves and the planet. Can we feed a growing world population without destroying the natural systems on which all life depends?Professor Dave Goulson is one of Britain's leading environmental scientists, an internationally renowned expert on insects and biodiversity, and a bestselling author. He is Professor of Biology at the University of Sussex and the founder of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, which works to protect Britain's declining bumblebee populations. He has published more than 300 scientific papers on insect ecology and conservation, and his acclaimed books include A Sting in the Tale, The Garden Jungle, Silent Earth and Eat the Planet Well. Renowned for making complex environmental science accessible and engaging, he has become a prominent voice in the debate about intensive agriculture, pesticide use, biodiversity loss and the practical steps we can all take to protect the natural world.A Q&A Session will follow.