Global food system, food practices account for 21-37% of global annual greenhouse gas emissions
New report suggests that the eating habits of 7.8 billion people account for 21-37% of global greenhouse gas emissions from all human activities each year.
It means that our food system (the whole process from food production and consumption to its distribution and disposal) emits more than transport
(14% of global greenhouse gas emissions) and energy use in buildings (16%) and almost as much as industry (21%) and electricity generation (25%).
In fact, in a scenario where emissions from all other sources are stopped, emissions from the global food system alone will cause enough greenhouse gases to heat the planet above the 1.5 ° C target.
These statistics and forecasts are in the latest annual India Environmental Report, published by the Union Minister for the Environment, Forestry and Climate Change at the 2022 Anil Agarwal Dialogue, Center for Science and Environment (CSE) Annual Media Conclave. Bhupender Yadav.
These statistics, recently compiled by a team of British and American researchers, may come as a surprise to many who consider plants carbon sinks.
Vibha Varshneyan assistant editor, “Down To Earth,” said: “While it is true that plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, they also release large amounts of gas when they break down. Food systems also increase emissions through other direct and indirect measures. The use of fossil fuel agricultural machinery or the manufacture of agrochemicals and fertilizers also emits greenhouse gases. “
“What is the world doing? The EAT-Lancet Food, Planet and Health Commission, made up of 37 scientists from 16 countries, has set global targets for food systems that are environmentally sustainable and benefit human health. Proposed Planetary Health Diet that could reduce 60% of urban emissions in 10 years, “he added.
The CSE “Down To Earth” report refers to an assessment by UNEP in September 2020 that reducing land use change and transforming natural habitats could reduce emissions by 4.6 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e).
Varshney added: “A dramatic change in nutritional practices is recommended to reduce CO2 emissions from the food industry. But it’s easier said than done. The paths to achieve this are not as clear as, for example, electricity generation.
“Economic considerations also have an impact. The most affordable” planetary health diet “of the EAT-Lancet Commission exceeds the per capita income of 1.58 billion households,” he says. Richard Mahapatra, Editor-in-Chief of Down To Earth. In addition, corporate interests that have contributed to the formation of modern industrial food may make the transition more difficult.
It is also feared that this focus on an herbal diet could lead other emitters to escape responsibility and place the responsibility for reducing emissions on the individual. India’s annual environmental report states: “The 26th Conference of the Parties in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021, discussed reducing the contribution of the agricultural sector to global warming. It remains to be seen how this will affect food systems.”
Source: ANI