Food Sustainability Flashcards
(27 cards)
How much of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the food system?
Around 25–30%, mainly from livestock, rice production, and fertilizer use.
What are the main environmental impacts of the global food system?
Deforestation, biodiversity loss, freshwater depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions.
What health issues are linked to the current food system?
Both undernutrition and diet-related non-communicable diseases, like obesity and heart disease, are issues.
Why is there a need to shift to sustainable food systems?
To feed ~10 billion people by 2050 without destroying the planet.
What is a sustainable diet according to the FAO?
A diet with low environmental impact that supports food/nutrition security and healthy lives for present and future generations.
What are key features of sustainable diets?
Environmentally low-impact, nutritionally adequate, culturally acceptable, accessible, and economically fair.
What are practical shifts involved in sustainable eating?
More plant-based foods, fewer animal-source foods (especially red meat), less ultra-processed food, and reduced food waste.
What is the “planetary health diet” by EAT-Lancet?
A largely plant-based diet with small amounts of meat/dairy designed to meet nutritional needs and stay within ecological limits.
What does the Eatwell Guide recommend for a healthy diet?
> 5 portions of fruits/veg per day, starchy high-fiber foods, moderate intake of dairy and protein.
How can the Eatwell Guide be adapted for sustainability?
Use more plant proteins, reduce red meat, eat seasonal/local foods, and moderate dairy.
What is a challenge of shifting to sustainable diets?
Cultural resistance to reducing meat, affordability of healthy food, and making changes acceptable to all income groups.
What fraction of food is lost or wasted globally?
About one-third.
How can reducing food waste improve sustainability?
Increases efficiency, conserves resources, and improves food availability.
What is the Planetary Boundaries framework?
A system that defines Earth’s ecological limits (e.g. for climate, land, water) which the current food system exceeds.
Which planetary boundaries are breached by the food system?
Nitrogen/phosphorus pollution, land conversion, and freshwater use.
How does sustainable nutrition relate to planetary boundaries?
It aims to reduce food-related environmental impacts to stay within Earth’s limits.
What did the EAT-Lancet
Commission recommend for red meat intake?
An average of only 14 grams per day.
What other targets were set by EAT-Lancet for healthy sustainable diets?
~500 grams of fruits and vegetables daily and transformation of agriculture toward diverse crops.
What is SDG12 about?
Responsible Consumption and Production, including halving global food waste by 2030 and promoting sustainable food systems.
Which countries include sustainability in dietary guidelines?
Brazil, Sweden, and Germany.
What are “double-duty” actions in food policy?
Interventions that benefit both health and the environment, like breastfeeding or eco-friendly school meals.
How does reducing red and processed meat benefit health and sustainability?
It lowers GHG emissions and reduces risks of heart disease and colorectal cancer.
Why is increased fruit/veg intake good for the planet and health?
It prevents NCDs and has a lower environmental footprint than meat production.
How can consumers support sustainable food systems?
By choosing plant-based options, reducing food waste, and buying sustainably sourced products.
