The key to a more sustainable world lies in making our food system more sustainable.
Good nutrition is key to achieving all SDGs
Many of the Sustainable Development Goals directly or indirectly influence food security. A holistic approach to food security and a strong commitment to sustainability of our food system are essential. That's why focusing on planetary health is so crucial; it considers the health of both humans and the planet. A more sustainable global food system provides opportunities for all living beings to thrive.
Jaap Seidell emphasized the importance of a future-proof global food system to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations by the set deadline of 2030, as food and agriculture touch on all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Feeding the world's population nutritious, more plant-based, minimally processed, and sustainably produced food, should be a top priority, according to Seidell. He added that this might be the only way to achieve all SDGs.
Aid allocated to nutrition has high returns. Every dollar invested in proper nutrition can,
in some cases, yield a $16 economic growth return.
Soil degradation threatens food
cultivation ability.
War and conflict are major underlying factors of nutrition insecurity.
Tackling resource use and degradation is key for sharing resources and improving access to quality food.
Climate change may reduce food production and cause water scarcity.
Access to safe water and sanitation is an absolute prerequisite for nutrition.
High levels of malnutrition in some countries may cause an 11% loss to GDP.
When women control the family income, children’s health and nutrition improve at a greater rate.
Learning and focusing in school is challenging without a sufficient diet.
Up to 45% of deaths in children under five are caused by malnutrition.
Facing poverty limits individuals' ability to access adequate food.
6 min
EDITORIAL
Foundation of SDGs: Food and Agriculture
Food, agriculture, and food production are the basis of sustainable development. Some statistics that underline this include:
Nearly 80% of people facing poverty live in rural areas.
Globally, we produce ample food, yet almost 800 million people go hungry every day.
Our current food system is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
Agriculture accounts for a quarter of GDP in developing countries.
Investments in rural areas can counter rampant urbanization.
One third of all the food we produce is wasted or thrown away.
Eradicating hunger can contribute significantly to peace and stability.
Why should we care?
Our current global, highly industrialized food system is becoming untenable. It perpetuates food insecurity, is vulnerable to shocks, and is dominated by a few major players influenced by powerful lobbying groups. The key to a more sustainable world lies in making our food system more sustainable.
Moniek de Jongh SDG Loraine Elemans
Last July, the Amsterdam Royal Zoo (Artis) in the Netherlands hosted the inaugural Planetary Health Congress. Planetary Health is a relatively new scientific discipline with a holistic perspective on health and sustainability, emphasizing the significant role played by proper nutrition and responsible food production. Dutch professor and food scientist, Jaap Seidell, detailed how our food production and consumption methods impact all the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our current global, highly industrialized food system is becoming untenable. It perpetuates food insecurity, is vulnerable to shocks, and is dominated by a few major players influenced by powerful lobbying groups. The key to a more sustainable world lies in making our food system more sustainable.
Why should we care?
The key to a more sustainable world lies in making our food system more sustainable.
Foundation of SDGs: Food and Agriculture
Food, agriculture, and food production are the basis of sustainable development. Some statistics that underline this include:
Nearly 80% of people facing poverty live in rural areas.
Globally, we produce ample food, yet almost 800 million people go hungry every day.
Our current food system is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
Agriculture accounts for a quarter of GDP in developing countries.
Investments in rural areas can counter rampant urbanization.
One third of all the food we produce is wasted or thrown away.
Eradicating hunger can contribute significantly to peace and stability.
Good nutrition is key to achieving all SDGs
Many of the Sustainable Development Goals directly or indirectly influence food security. A holistic approach to food security and a strong commitment to sustainability of our food system are essential. That's why focusing on planetary health is so crucial; it considers the health of both humans and the planet. A more sustainable global food system provides opportunities for all living beings to thrive.
Jaap Seidell emphasized the importance of a future-proof global food system to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations by the set deadline of 2030, as food and agriculture touch on all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Feeding the world's population nutritious, more plant-based, minimally processed, and sustainably produced food, should be a top priority, according to Seidell. He added that this might be the only way to achieve all SDGs.
Aid allocated to nutrition has high returns. Every dollar invested in proper nutrition can,
in some cases, yield a $16 economic growth return.
Soil degradation threatens food
cultivation ability.
War and conflict are major underlying factors of nutrition insecurity.
Climate change may reduce food production and cause water scarcity.
Tackling resource use and degradation is key for sharing resources and improving access to quality food.
High levels of malnutrition in some countries may cause an 11% loss to GDP.
Access to safe water and sanitation is an absolute prerequisite for nutrition.
When women control the family income, children’s health and nutrition improve at a greater rate.
Learning and focusing in school is challenging without a sufficient diet.
Up to 45% of deaths in children under five are caused by malnutrition.
Facing poverty limits individuals' ability to access adequate food.
Moniek de Jongh SDG Loraine Elemans
Last July, the Amsterdam Royal Zoo (Artis) in the Netherlands hosted the inaugural Planetary Health Congress. Planetary Health is a relatively new scientific discipline with a holistic perspective on health and sustainability, emphasizing the significant role played by proper nutrition and responsible food production. Dutch professor and food scientist, Jaap Seidell, detailed how our food production and consumption methods impact all the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
6 min