How can you create a more sustainable food system?
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Food is essential for life, but the way we produce, distribute, and consume it has a huge impact on the environment, society, and health. How can you create a more sustainable food system that supports biodiversity, reduces waste, and enhances well-being? Here are some tips to help you make more informed and eco-friendly choices.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce your environmental footprint is to eat more plant-based foods and less animal products. Animal agriculture is responsible for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions, water use, land degradation, and deforestation. Plant-based foods, on the other hand, require less resources and have lower emissions. They also provide many health benefits, such as lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of chronic diseases. You don't have to go vegan or vegetarian, but try to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds into your diet.
Another way to create a more sustainable food system is to buy local and seasonal products whenever possible. Local food reduces the need for long-distance transportation, which saves energy and reduces emissions. It also supports small-scale farmers and local communities, who often use more sustainable practices and preserve traditional knowledge. Seasonal food is fresher, tastier, and more nutritious than food that is grown out of season and stored for long periods. It also reduces the demand for artificial heating, cooling, and lighting in greenhouses. You can find local and seasonal food at farmers' markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, or online platforms.
Food waste is a huge problem that affects both the environment and the economy. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about one-third of all food produced in the world is lost or wasted, which amounts to about 1.3 billion tons per year. This means that a lot of resources, such as water, land, energy, and labor, are wasted as well. Food waste also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, as decomposing food releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. To avoid food waste, you can plan your meals, shop smartly, store food properly, use leftovers creatively, and compost or donate what you can't eat.
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Hitesh Karkar
Speaker, Best Faculty of the Year, Best Coordinator, IIBF Certified Bank Trainer, CAIIB, JAIIB, Faculty at PSB, Learning & Development, Content Development, Communication, Coordination, Agri & Financial Inclusion
Avoiding or reducing food waste particularly at Post harvest stage is very crucial. In the absebnce of proper post harvest methods and technology, to preserve and improve the shelflife of food, a sizeable chunk of food is being wasted without being consumed or generating revenue. In order to have sustainable food system in place to help each stakeholders in the food system every one of them have their own role and contribution staring from Farmer/Producer, logistics chain, processors, sellers and finally consumers. At each level there should be proper infrastructure based on the type of food commodity so as to food waste can be minimize at lowest possible level.
Growing your own food is a rewarding and sustainable way to produce fresh and healthy food for yourself and your family. You can grow your own food in a variety of ways, such as in a backyard garden, a balcony container, a rooftop farm, or a community garden. Growing your own food can help you save money, reduce packaging, increase biodiversity, and improve your mental and physical health. You can also learn new skills, connect with nature, and share your produce with your neighbors. You don't need a lot of space or experience to start growing your own food, just some seeds, soil, water, and sunlight.
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Hitesh Karkar
Speaker, Best Faculty of the Year, Best Coordinator, IIBF Certified Bank Trainer, CAIIB, JAIIB, Faculty at PSB, Learning & Development, Content Development, Communication, Coordination, Agri & Financial Inclusion
The run towards urbanization and adulteration, use of pesticides/insecticides has pose major question of food security, not only availability of food but Nutritional food. So if one can grow his/her own food with the help of modern farming practices like Vetical farming, Aeroponics, Hydroponics, where you don't need a lot of space or experience to start growing your own food, just some seeds, soil (in some case even soil is not required), water, and sunlight and you are done.
Organic and fair trade products are another option to create a more sustainable food system. Organic products are grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, or antibiotics, which can harm the environment and human health. Organic farming also promotes soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare. Fair trade products are produced in a way that ensures fair prices, decent working conditions, and environmental standards for farmers and workers in developing countries. Fair trade also supports community development, empowerment, and education. You can find organic and fair trade products in many supermarkets, specialty stores, or online platforms.
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Hitesh Karkar
Speaker, Best Faculty of the Year, Best Coordinator, IIBF Certified Bank Trainer, CAIIB, JAIIB, Faculty at PSB, Learning & Development, Content Development, Communication, Coordination, Agri & Financial Inclusion
Organic farming may or may not help to establish sustainable food chain as the process of organic farming in itself is quite easy, however what we have seen in Sri Lanka, when a country moved completely to organic farming and its consequences. So learning from the past before jumping to organic farming we need to do risk assessment and its mitigation strategies.
The last tip to create a more sustainable food system is to educate yourself and others about the issues and solutions related to food and the environment. You can learn more about the environmental and social impacts of your food choices, the benefits of sustainable food practices, and the actions you can take to make a difference. You can also share your knowledge and experience with your friends, family, colleagues, and community. You can join or start a food-related campaign, project, or organization, or participate in events, workshops, or courses. You can also use your voice and vote to advocate for policies and programs that support a more sustainable food system.
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Pranali Y.
Business Analyst | Agriculture/Biological Systems Engineer | PhD Leadership (Business)
Create a sustainable food system by prioritizing regenerative agriculture, local sourcing, and reducing food waste. Diversify diets toward plant-based options, optimize resource use with technology, and embrace circular economy principles. Educate stakeholders on the environmental impact of food choices and support small-scale farmers. Advocate for sustainable policies, invest in innovation, and foster collaboration across sectors. Promote food security while raising consumer awareness to empower sustainable decision-making. This holistic approach ensures a balanced and resilient food system for the benefit of the environment and society.
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Alexey Polyakov, Alternative in renewable energy
Maisotsenko Thermodynamic Cycle Technology and Product Promotion Worldwide
Today most cooling / refrigeration and heating, air (de)humidification, water generation solutions are expensive, highly inefficient, and even contribute towards global warming due to high energy consumption and leak of the refrigerants and brines. Controlled Environment Agriculture and Resource Efficient Supply / Value Chain solution needs a clean energy product that helps reduce global warming and health risks while delivering a value in air, water, energy sectors. We need a real global gamechanger in the market for food ecosystems in arid climates solving air, water, energy, food, national security challenges via cooling/heating, air (de)humidification, water and energy (re)generation, food production / processing / storage applications.