It’s no surprise that climate change is a threat to human well-being and natural systems, imposing great strain on natural resources and human capacity. The food system is an intriguing case because while climate change restricts its production, the production of food itself induces further climate harm. However, pathways already exist to solve the impending food crisis, some focused on sustainability and others on unique solutions.
A report from the United Nations stated that our food system is responsible for roughly 80% of deforestation and 29% of greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and worsening food growing conditions. Food production is an already harmful aspect of the food system, however, food waste and overproduction aren’t any better.
In fact, approximately one-third of all food produced in the world, or roughly 1.3 billion tons, is wasted per year; the U.S. alone produces roughly 133 billion pounds of food waste. The combination of overconsumption, overproduction and inadequate food distribution policies exacerbate climate conditions, making it difficult to sustain the food supply, let alone feed everyone.
Organizations like Green Peace have even questioned the validity of the ‘food crisis’, blaming corporate greed for the unsustainable usage of food, and that there should be no more land expansion because there is enough food to feed everyone.
“What we need is a robust policy framework to ensure food is produced to feed people, not to feed industry-farmed animals or to fuel cars. We need an end to the industrial food system, putting power back into the hands of national governments and their people to localise food production and consumption. This can be achieved by giving financial support and incentives to small and medium-scale farmers and their marketing collectives. ” – Green Peace
Alternatively, unique solutions have arisen to solve the food crisis such as lab-grown meat – meat grown from animal cells in a laboratory. This is a unique attempt at solving food shortages while simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint of the meat industry from factory farming. Although lab-grown meat is far away from hitting the shelves in the grocery store, it demonstrates the range of solutions aimed at solving food insecurity and climate change induced by the food system.
In fact, the future of food was a hot-topic discussion during the last United Nations Conference of Parties (COP26) where several panels mentioned the importance of indigenous cultures and practices when discussing the food crisis. Indigenous cultures have historically lived sustainably, practicing diligent land management, and deserve more recognization for their efforts.
The future of food can feel unpredictable, considering the uncertainty of policy action on climate change. However, there are ways forward to ensure food security. By listening to Indigenous voices, following sustainable agriculture, and minimizing overproduction and food waste, we can achieve a sustainable food system. However, today, I would like to know, would you eat lab-grown meat?