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Big Facts is a resource of the most up-to-date and robust facts relevant to the nexus of climate change, agriculture and food security. It is intended to provide a credible and reliable platform for fact checking amid the range of claims that appear in reports, advocacy materials and other sources. Full sources are supplied for all facts and figures and all content has gone through a process of peer review. Big Facts is also an open-access resource. We encourage everyone to download, use and share the facts and graphic images. We believe that by sharing knowledge we can aid the type of interdisciplinary understanding and collaboration necessary for meeting the challenges posed to agriculture and food security in the face of climate change.

"Food and packaging waste is not simply something that 'goes away' when we pop it in the rubbish bin for collection by our garbos. Waste has an insidious, long-term impact on our environment, our wildlife and ultimately our own health. But how do we avoid it? In an age of excess consumption and a mindset of convenience-at-all-cost, is it possible to truly be waste free? The free-to-watch documentary shows how Food and plastic waste can be avoided, drawing attention to much of the unnecessary packaging that is choking our lives, oceans and animals. It also gives an insight into the environmental and social impacts of our wasteful ways."

"The food the world wastes accounts for more greenhouse gas emissions than any country except for China and the United States, according to a United Nations report."

Tired of hearing that sustainable construction has to cost more, Josh and his colleagues want to prove that resource efficient homes can be built at comparable cost and timeframes to regular houses. The homes will be thermally comfortable year round, without the need for air conditioning or additional heating. They will generate more electricity than they use, and will harvest and recycle water. In addition to private garden areas, a common productive garden will supply both houses with fresh food. What sets this project apart from many others is that the building designs have achieved a 10 Star energy efficiency rating*, whilst intentionally using conventional building materials and construction methods so they can easily be replicated by industry and the wider community. The project also demonstrates a more sensitive approach to residential subdivision that has considered maximising effective garden area around the homes to allow for natural shading, children's play spaces and local food production - important health and lifestyle benefits that are rapidly disappearing from our suburbs. Construction started in November 2012 and is scheduled for completion by May 2013.

The FCRN's aim is to increase our understanding of how the food system contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and what we can do to reduce them

"Food manufacturers could be facing their tobacco moment as growing consumer awareness on well-being turns towards commodities such as sugar, a global report says. The report on sugar, compiled by the Credit Suisse Research Institute, highlights the need for the Food and beverage industry to tackle the focus on obesity head-on by joining a diversification into new healthier products."

"What's wrong with what we eat: Mark Bittman on TED.com - In this fiery and funny talk from the 2007 EG (Entertainment Gathering) conference, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman weighs in on what's wrong with the way we eat now (too much meat, too few plants; too much fast food, too little home cooking), and why it's putting the entire planet at risk. (Recorded December 2007 in Los Angeles, California. Duration: 20:08.)"

"Waste = Food is the principle doctrine of the Cradle to Cradle concept of environmentally good production where this documentary is about. The Dutch version of this Documentary caused for incredible movement on the Sustainable business front. "

"With huge tracts of land, sunshine and plentiful water across the northern states and territories, there are high hopes for Australia's post-mining future pinned on its ability to produce enough agricultural product to feed Asia's rapidly growing population. Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce wants to temper those expectations."

"I would like to know to what extent regenerative agriculture practices could play a role in reducing carbon emissions and producing food, including meat, in the future. From what I have read it seems to offer much, but I am curious about how much difference it would make if all of our farmers moved to this kind of land management practice. Or even most of them. - a question from Virginia"

"Ocean warming has already affected global fisheries in the past four decades, a new international study has found, driving up the proportion of warm-water fish being caught and posing a threat to food security worldwide."

"Google it and you'll see factory farming defined as "a system of rearing livestock using intensive methods, by which poultry, pigs, or cattle are confined indoors under strictly controlled conditions." Dig just a little deeper, however, and you find some unappetizing truths: Most of the meat you eat comes from animals that were raised in horrifying conditions by large corporations seeking to maximize profits at the expense of animal welfare, the environment, and your health."

Often food companies use the word "natural" to market their products confusing shoppers with a term that sounds good but is ultimately meaningless. This frustrating paradox gets the comedic treatment in this spoof ad from Only Organic, http://bit.ly/1aWC0H1 .

"At Sundrop Farms we responsibly grow food in some of the world's driest regions using abundant and renewable resources - seawater and sunlight - using our proprietary greenhouse technologies. See also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abzzlavlr9M"

"Monsanto, whose name is synonymous with GM crops, confirmed that it is withdrawing all of its EU applications for approval for new crops. The decision is understood to affect as many as 10 applications for approval for new GM crops. It is understood that Monsanto is pulling all of its applications for crops in frustration at delays over clearing existing crops at EU level."

"This nice little video was put together for our friends at Sustainable Table for the Give a Fork! event. From the Sustainable Table website: Here's your chance to make a real difference by joining Sustainable Table in showing that you Give a Fork! about what's on your plate. sustainabletable.org.au/"

"Food Miles"

"The decline of wild bees and other pollinators may be an even more alarming threat to crop yields than the loss of honeybees, a worldwide study suggests, revealing the irreplaceable contribution of wild insects to global food production."

"Milo an 11 year old schoolboy from Vermont in the United States started a project to reduce the use and waste of disposable plastic straws. As well as encouraging children to say no to straws, through Milo's project, restaurants and food outlets are now asking their customers if they need a straw, rather than automatically putting one with each drink. 'Do you need a straw? "

"Pioneering 'FoodPrint Calculator' helps cities understand the environmental impact of their population's diet, and how to reduce it."