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”
Category Archives: Climate Change
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”
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”
Climate impact of food miles up to 7 times higher than previously thought: study
Newly published research in the journal Nature Food “suggests transport accounts for one-fifth of total food-system emissions with fruits and vegetables among the most carbon-intensive.” The researchers reported that, “When the entire upstream food supply chain is considered, global food-miles correspond to about 3.0 GtCO2e (3.5–7.5 times higher than previously estimated), indicating that transport accounts forContinue reading “Climate impact of food miles up to 7 times higher than previously thought: study”
Do carbon labels translate into fewer greenhouse gas emissions?
“Carbon labeling shifts consumer behavior. But does that actually translate to fewer emissions?” An article published in Anthropocene Magazine on June 2, 2022 titled, “Get ready for sticker shock carbon therapy” attempts to answer this question. In short, the author notes that, “If labeling is going to help wean us off carbon, it will needContinue reading “Do carbon labels translate into fewer greenhouse gas emissions?”
Which seafood causes the least damage to the planet? It’s complicated.
In a paper published in the journal Nature, Dr. Jessica Gephart and her colleagues looked at five environmental pressures for aquatic foods including: greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen runoff, phosphorus runoff, freshwater use, and agricultural land use. The scientists examined data from 1,690 farms and 1,000 fishery records worldwide. Here is a summary of their findings,Continue reading “Which seafood causes the least damage to the planet? It’s complicated.”
Declining greenhouse gas emissions in the US diet (2003–2018): Drivers and demographic trends: new research
New research published in the Journal of Cleaner Production reported that, “From 2003 to 2018, the mean GHG emissions associated with the US diet fell by more than 35%, from 4.02 kg CO2e per day per capita, to 2.45 kg CO2e per day per capita, despite average caloric intake remaining relatively stable over the same period. AverageContinue reading “Declining greenhouse gas emissions in the US diet (2003–2018): Drivers and demographic trends: new research“
27% of all land-use emissions are related to agricultural products consumed in a different country than they were produced
Researchers have for the first time quantified rising land-use emissions embodied in the international trade of specific agricultural products like beef that results in deforestation. “International trade allows goods and services produced in one country to be consumed elsewhere, separating consumption from its environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and land-use change (together referredContinue reading “27% of all land-use emissions are related to agricultural products consumed in a different country than they were produced”
Sustainable RDN 