Challenges in the global food system

December 2018: In a global three-year research collaboration across the globe, the InterAcademy Partnership released their findings that underline the unsustainability of our current food system. Experts point out that the cost of the damage to human health and the environment is greater than profits of the farming industry. They point towards evidence-based opportunities for businesses and policymakers that range from climate-smart food systems to international science advisory mechanisms.

Information

In a global three-year research collaboration across the globe, the InterAcademy Partnership released their findings that underline the unsustainability of our current food system. Modern farming and food distribution systems are responsible for a third of all greenhouse gases. In a carry-on effect, the contribution of food systems to global warming causes food production to become unpredictable and threatens food stability and security through extreme weather such as floods. Further, the report finds that people across the globe either suffer from limited food availability, obesity, and that a third of the annual food production is wasted every year. Experts point out that the cost of the damage to human health and the environment is greater than profits of the farming industry.

Implications and opportunities

The report proposes a radical transformation of current food systems based on sustainable farming methods, reduced meat consumption, and a value shift from cheap to nutritious food options. In light of this, there are several evidence-based opportunities for businesses and policymakers. These include progressing climate-smart food systems, creating incentives for consumers to change their diets, increasing the availability of innovative foods such as insect-based foods, foster collaboration between natural and social sciences, and to create new science advisory mechanisms that address the scale of the challenges in current food systems.

Sources

InterAcademy. (2018). Opportunities for Future Research and Innovation on Food and Nutrition Security and Agriculture: The InterAcademy Partnership’s Global Perspective. Retrieved from http://www.interacademies.org/37646/Food-and-Nutrition-Security-and-Agriculture

The Guardian. (2018). Global Food System is Broken, Say’s World’s Science Academies. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/28/global-food-system-is-broken-say-worlds-science-academies