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2022 | Book

Food in a Planetary Emergency

Authors: Prof. Dora Marinova, Diana Bogueva

Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Table of Contents

About this book

This book Food in a Planetary Emergency is a timely overview of the current food systems and the required transformations to respond to the challenges of climate change, population pressures, biodiversity loss and use of natural resources, such as soils, water and phosphorus. This book takes a planetary health perspective which explores the links between natural systems and human wellbeing implying that there is need for united actions to achieve important environmental and population health co-benefits.
This book outlines that the foundation of planetary health is sustainability. It addresses environment and climate change emergency as a global agenda, however, emphasises the urgency of the sustainability perspective which integrates a wide spectrum of issues that require integrated solutions to offer better prospects for humanity. This book drives this argument further through the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where food is not just SDG2 but transcends all 17 goals.
This book tackles the problems of food production and consumption at a global, industry and individual level linking it to topics related to the natural environment, climate change, waste, marketing, new ways of producing food and providing alternative proteins, mitigating non-communicable diseases, flexitarianism and the role of Generation Z in the emerging dietary choices.
This book benefits readers with understanding the importance and intricacy of their dietary choices at a point in time when our planet is facing an emergency triggered by long-term dependence on fossil fuels and artificial fertilisers but also by the ways we have provided food. However, this book also delivers the message that safeguarding and sustaining planetary health is possible.

Frontmatter

Global Perspectives

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Sustainability and a Planetary Diet

Abstract

The chapter interprets the meaning of sustainability and the concept of planetary health that links together human and ecological well-being. Food production and consumption need to sit within the planet’s geophysical boundaries and a planetary diet should allow the projected 10.9 billion people to live comfortably on Earth. The transitioning to such a better planetary diet with more plant-based options has to happen through a double-pronged approach of innovation and behaviour change. Instead of bleak scenarios for the future, there should be hope and enthusiasm as we can make a change each time when we decide what to eat.

Dora Marinova, Diana Bogueva

Chapter 2. Climate and Food

Abstract

Given the complexity of the connections between food and climate change, this chapter describes the links between greenhouse gas emissions, extreme weather events and food production. It also specifically analyses the impact of industrial fishing on the ability of oceans to store carbon. Vulnerability of food production to climate change and extreme weather events, and the vulnerability of people to changes in food production are further examined. The overall message in the current planetary emergency is that a transition to plant-based options is a good strategy for responding to the climate change crisis.

Dora Marinova, Diana Bogueva

Chapter 3. Food and Environmental Emergency

Abstract

In addition to climate change, the current planetary emergency is also triggered by significant anthropogenic modifications in the planet’s biophysical systems. The chapter covers issues related to land use, water, soil fertility, application of chemical fertilisers and impacts on biodiversity. All these problems are interrelated and manifested differently in various parts of the world. The West on the one hand has been in many ways responsible for the current planetary emergency and on the other, is well-equipped to respond to it by changing its attitude and behaviour while adopting more plant-rich food choices with lower environmental impacts.

Dora Marinova, Diana Bogueva

Chapter 4. Reducing Food Waste and Packaging

Abstract

The size of food wastage, including loss – during the production and supply chain, and waste – in retail and consumption, is a serious problem. Although food loss and waste differ across various parts of the world, the West is a major contributor to the problem. Food packaging adds to the severity of the situation as it heavily relies on plastics which contribute to microplastics pollution, which is spreading over the planet. The chapter covers the history of waste and discusses the need for reduction. Mimicking nature where there are no discarded materials is another strategy. Current developments to reduce waste and plastics-based packaging of food are also covered.

Dora Marinova, Diana Bogueva

Industry and Marketing Perspectives

Frontmatter

Chapter 5. Circular Agriculture

Abstract

Circular agriculture is defined. Five underlying principles, namely regeneration, land-effectiveness, integrated management, focus on quality food and localisation, are outlined together with comments on what is necessary for a transition to circularity from the current linear agricultural model. The overall message of the chapter is that it is possible to provide quality food while recycling nutrients within agriculture to feed not only humans but also the soil, its microbes and other living species on this planet. Circular agriculture offers most-needed solutions to dealing with the planetary emergency.

Dora Marinova, Diana Bogueva

Chapter 6. Sustainability Transitions in Food Production

Abstract

The human response in defying situations, such as the present planetary emergency combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, is to find technological solutions allowing society to transition on a new trajectory that transforms the current practices for good. The chapter outlines the need to transition to better food production practices and introduces new technological changes related to vertical farming, artificial constructions (or ponics), agroecology, agroforestry, the use of drones and nanotechnology and application of ICTs, including artificial intelligence, 3D printing and blockchain. This facilitates clever food production and choices that are environmentally and nutritionally better.

Dora Marinova, Diana Bogueva

Chapter 7. Alternative Proteins

Abstract

The term “alternative proteins” describes alternatives and substitutes to animal-based foods. This area is gaining popularity fast as humanity tackles the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, land- and sea-use changes and food security. Some alternative protein sources have existed for millennia, including tofu, tempeh and seitan, but others, such as cultured meat and 3D food, are new. The chapter follows a historical line in these developments analysing the pros and cons of alternative proteins and offering reflections about their future, potential consumers and challenges.

Dora Marinova, Diana Bogueva

Chapter 8. Food Marketing in a Planetary Emergency

Abstract

Our relationship with the marketing of food occurs spontaneously, often unconsciously and although we think we have control, the choices we make are not happening in a vacuum. The chapter examines the role of food marketing highlighting the need for a change towards facilitating a sustainability transition. It elaborates on what food marketing should be delivering to the consumer in responding to the planetary emergency from a social and individual perspective. Food marketing should be supporting ethical and sustainable products with transparency about the food production process while aiming at achieving population health and wellness.

Dora Marinova, Diana Bogueva

Individual Perspectives

Frontmatter

Chapter 9. Flexitarianism

Abstract

Flexitarianism – a word combining “flexible” and “vegetarianism”, has found its way into English since the early 2000s. After introducing flexitarianism, the chapter discusses sustainable diets and why human eating habits, particularly in the West, need to change. It offers ideas how to mainstream flexitarianism so that plant-based food choices become the norm, rather than the exception, in the pursuit for a healthy and nutritional human diet. Mainstreaming flexitarianism is a way to link human food with the broad spectrum of environmental and social problems which are at the core of the current planetary emergency.

Dora Marinova, Diana Bogueva

Chapter 10. Mitigating Diseases

Abstract

It appears that a disconnect between food and disease mitigation has occurred with development. In contrast, the chapter examines the link between food and non-communicable diseases, then the threats caused to human health by zoonotic viruses and infections, and finally the prospects of losing the power of antibiotics to improve human conditions. A major contributing factor to these health-related conditions and threats is the excessive consumption of meat and other animal-based products. Replacing them with plant-rich food options can have numerous benefits.

Dora Marinova, Diana Bogueva

Chapter 11. Generation Z and Food Choices

Abstract

Generation Z, the largest population cohort on this planet, is already proving to be environmentally aware and socially active as demonstrated with its support for the climate strikes and other related movements. The chapter analyses how these young people engage with food and diets – issues that are gradually becoming a political, environmental, social, cultural and public health agenda. It describes the food choices of Generation Z posing the question whether there is a transitioning to a better planetary diet. Using empirical evidence from Australia the chapter describes some of the trends and lessons given by these young people concluding that they hold key answers about the planet’s future.

Dora Marinova, Diana Bogueva

Backmatter

Title: Food in a Planetary Emergency
Authors: Prof. Dora Marinova
Diana Bogueva
Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore
Electronic ISBN: 978-981-16-7707-6
Print ISBN: 978-981-16-7706-9
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7707-6