Do carbon footprint labels promote climatarian diets? Evidence from a large-scale field experiment

In a recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Economics & Management, researchers from the United Kingdom (UK) assessed the causal effect of carbon footprint labelling on individual meal choices in a university cafeteria setting using a large-scale field experiment. The study allowed the scientists explicitly explore whether carbon footprint labels can induce moreContinue reading Do carbon footprint labels promote climatarian diets? Evidence from a large-scale field experiment

Eat more fish: new research identifies several marine species that are more nutritious and better for the planet than beef, pork, or chicken

Replacing meat with certain types of sustainably sourced seafood could help people to reduce their carbon footprints without compromising on nutrition, finds an analysis of dozens of marine species that are consumed worldwide. The study, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment  (Bianchi et al., 2022), “suggests that farmed bivalves — shellfish such as mussels,Continue reading “Eat more fish: new research identifies several marine species that are more nutritious and better for the planet than beef, pork, or chicken”

Ultra-processed foods should be central to global food systems dialogue and action on biodiversity

A recent commentary article published BMJ Global Health (2022) points out that, “The global industrial food system and consequent rapid rise of ultra-processed foods is severely impairing biodiversity. Yet although the impacts of existing land use and food production practices on biodiversity have received much attention, the role of ultra-processed foods has been largely ignored.Continue reading Ultra-processed foods should be central to global food systems dialogue and action on biodiversity

Healthier foods are better for the planet: new study

An analysis of 57,000 foods published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) “reveals which [foods] have the best and worst environmental impacts. A team of researchers used an algorithm to estimate how much of each ingredient was in thousands of products sold in major UK supermarket chains. The scientists then gave foodContinue reading “Healthier foods are better for the planet: new study”

Scientists offer blueprint for sustainable redesign of food systems

A new perspective article published in the journal Nature Sustainability describes food systems designed not by the logic of growth such as efficiency and extraction, but by principles of sufficiency, regeneration, distribution, commons, and care. It argues that food systems can instead be the foundation of healthy communities, ecologies, and economies. “For this agenda-setting article,Continue reading “Scientists offer blueprint for sustainable redesign of food systems”

The effectiveness and consequences of carbon taxes on U.S. food purchases: new research

New research published in the journal Food Policy examined the effectiveness and consequences of using carbon taxes on food purchases to contribute to the U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) reduction target for 2025. The researchers found that “carbon taxes on food purchases decrease GHGEs from the agricultural and food sectors by 1.9 to 4.8 percent andContinue reading The effectiveness and consequences of carbon taxes on U.S. food purchases: new research

The Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2022

How sustainable is the city where you live? The 5th edition of the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index “provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of urban sustainability and how it is the key to unlocking prosperity in cities and improving quality of life.” More specifically, the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index provides an overall ranking of 100Continue reading “The Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2022”

Why beans? For people and the planet

“The possibilities for positive change in our food systems are endless! With focused and coordinated action we have the potential to create a more sustainable, resilient planet that provides good food for all.” See: Good Food for All – https://www.goodfood4all.org/ “Unfortunately, as cost, conflict, COVID, and climate continue to negatively impact the rates of hungerContinue reading “Why beans? For people and the planet”

Glyphosate may be harming bumblebee hives: new research

“As bees continue to decline, scientists have found many contributors, including climate change and landscape transformation. Now they’ve added another one: glyphosate” – a broad-spectrum herbicide that is used primarily for weed control in agriculture. A recent study published in the journal Science found that “exposure to glyphosate can impair a bumblebee’s ability to maintain hive temperature,Continue reading “Glyphosate may be harming bumblebee hives: new research”

UN Report: Global hunger numbers rose to as many as 828 million in 2021

The latest State of Food Security and Nutrition report (2022) shows the world is moving backwards in efforts to eliminate hunger and malnutrition. “The number of people affected by hunger globally rose to as many as 828 million in 2021, an increase of about 46 million since 2020 and 150 million since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to aContinue reading “UN Report: Global hunger numbers rose to as many as 828 million in 2021”