Turning the Tide on Food Waste: Global Challenges and Local Solutions
- hanadid037
- Aug 31, 2024
- 2 min read
Food waste is a significant global issue with far-reaching environmental, economic, and social co. Every year, approximately one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or waste, amounting to about 1.3 billion tons. This waste occurs at various stages of the supply chain, enviromental impact is profound, as food waste contribute to unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions, depletes natural resources like water and land, and exacerbates climate change. Moreover, the energy used to produce, transport, and store this wasted food also goes to waste, further straining the planet’s resources.
On an economic and social level, food waste represents a significant missed opportunity. In a world where nearly 828 million people suffer from hunger, the vast amounts of wasted food could have been used to alleviate food insecurity and malnutrition. Additionally, food waste places a financial burden on households, businesses and governments. Consumers often throw away perfectly good food due to over-purchasing or confusion over expiration dates, leading to financial loss. On a broader, businesses and municipalities bear the costs of managing and disposing of food waste, which could be redirected toward more productive uses. Reducing food waste requires efforts from individuals, businesses, and governments to implement better practices in food production, distribution and consumption.
The Green Alliance Club is dedicated to addressing issues like food waste by promoting sustainable habits in people's daily lives. This goal is being pursued through initiatives such as the Ghaf Initiative, which focuses on reducing food waste through composting. Supported by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the first-ever Ghaf workshop will be held on September 4th, 2024. The workshop aims to educate attendees on the issue of food waste, help them understand its prevalence and impact, and teach the basics of composting through presentations and hands-on activities.
Furthermore, the Green Alliance Club is excited to announce its first Model United Nations (MUN) conference, EMUN (Environmental Model United Nations), focused on sustainability and environmental issues. Supported by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, EMUN will take place on September 5th, 2024, with a focus on tackling food waste. The conference aims to enhance debating, critical thinking, and research skills among youth while promoting global cooperation.
EMUN will feature both moderated and unmoderated caucuses. A moderated caucus involves structured debate with delegates speaking in turn under the chair’s guidance, while an unmoderated caucus allows for informal discussion, collaboration, and alliance-building. Committees like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which focuses on environmental policies, and the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), which addresses sustainable development, will be central to the conference. Delegates will work together to draft and vote on resolutions, simulating real UN processes and fostering actionable solutions to global environmental challenges
Sources:
UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2021
WRI Food Loss and Waste
NRDC: Wasted: How America is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food
ReFED Insights Engine
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