Can reduction of global food losses and food waste save the future? part 1

The future of our civilization is facing severe challenges. Not only the increasing climate change, but the rising issues with growing demand for the world’s resources such as food, water and energy. The United Nations Sustainability Conference Rio+20 placed a large focus on the humanity’s coming future challenges. But Rio+20 cannot save the world and if we are to fight the probably inevitable future of human race, if we are to avoid the Shit Hits The Fan scenario, all stakeholders must be dynamically involved.

The pre-Rio+20 UN report “Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A Future Worth Choosing” states that in just 20 years, Earth's population needs at least 50% more food, 45% more energy and 30% more water. Already in 2030, we need 2 planets to produce resources for the world's consumers.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that there is enough food in the world and yet millions are starving - and unless we take action, it can become a disaster for the planet. FAO estimates the global food losses and food waste to be 1,3 billion tons annually - or enough to feed 3 billion people. The proportions are grotesque: the annual food waste in Italy can feed the entire population of Ethiopia.

The problem with food waste and the food wasters of the world must be approached differently: the food waste that we in developing countries are generating in retailers and consumption stages are not the same as food losses generated in post harvest and processing stages in the developing countries. The measurements of food waste must be standardized too – many countries measure food waste differently. Stop Wasting Food movement Denmark is currently involved in an upcoming EU project with international partners, among them FAO, where we will address the issue.

Although there is no direct correlation between food losses and food waste, both parties do affect the climate. Danish think tank CONCITO estimates that food waste is responsible for the 14% of global CO2 emissions. Production, processing, packaging, transportation, cooling alone contributes to the CO2 emissions. Rest assured, when food is decomposing, it produces Methane, which is 20 times worse than CO2. Danish Agriculture and Food Council stresses in their new strategy that increase in biogas production will prevent the loss of useful resources from food waste.

Selina Juul, Founder of Stop Wasting Food movement Denmark (Stop Spild Af Mad) www.selinajuuul.com - www.stopspildafmad.dk/inenglish.html