The interconnected issues of poor well being and environmental harm arising from the present meals system come at an enormous worth. In line with a brand new report from Kearney, the scenario requires a extra holistic strategy globally and a brand new mission that focuses on feeding the world by regenerating human well being and ecosystems.
The 4 main causes of demise on the planet in the present day (stroke, diabetes, most cancers and heart problems) are associated to food plan. As meals programs largely contribute to (and are severely affected by) local weather change, the intersection between particular person well being and planetary well being is gaining higher consideration.
“Meals and well being programs are inexorably linked. In the present day, lots of the dynamics between these programs gasoline poor human and ecosystem well being, costing the private and non-private sectors trillions in hidden prices,” stated Rhiannon Thomas, international chief of the Shopper and Retail observe. of Kearney.
“Whereas a change at scale in direction of a wholesome and regenerative meals system is expensive, the prices of inaction are higher. By working throughout intertwined programs, we are able to overcome useful stagnation in funding to satisfy the mission of the 21st century meals system: feeding the world by regenerating human and ecosystem well being.”
In line with the examine by Kearney, a world strategic consultancy, the vast majority of customers (60%) stated they aren’t actually certain how one can eat sustainably. This means confusion across the advertising and marketing of sustainable merchandise, with loads of ‘greenwashing’ inflicting vital distrust and uncertainty.
Customers usually report that they aren’t curious about paying extra for sustainable merchandise. A lot much less if they cannot even make sure that these merchandise are literally good for the atmosphere in any approach. Moreover, customers should not bought ‘netly optimistic’ merchandise; they principally simply anticipate sustainable merchandise to be a ‘lesser evil’.
The price of inaction
The report notes that if these points should not addressed, the prices might be astronomical. Prices associated to well being and weight problems issues might find yourself costing a unprecedented $four.three trillion globally, whereas hidden environmental and socioeconomic damages might attain $16.three trillion.
In the meantime, since 2000, greater than four billion individuals world wide have been affected by local weather disasters, inflicting round $three trillion in financial losses.
The survey confirmed that a resounding 83% of respondents have been certain they knew how one can eat in a approach that was good for his or her bodily well being. Nevertheless, when requested to rank meals in keeping with their healthiness, solely 29% stated they have been assured of their rating.
Regenerative agriculture
Regenerative agriculture would be the answer to each intertwined issues. A regenerative meals system is one that may assist restore degraded ecosystems, scale back carbon emissions, promote biodiversity and maintain soil wholesome and water clear.
Bringing collectively corporations’ well being and meals divisions to help regenerative agriculture within the provide chain can result in more healthy agricultural merchandise. This strategy not solely helps farmers overcome transition dangers, however can even align with market preferences, the place customers prioritize each style and well being when making buying selections.
General, the report requires investing in regenerative meals programs at scale. This crucial is underpinned by the concept “meals is drugs” and, for that cause, well being points might be resolved alongside meals programs points.
“Too usually, we body international challenges as technological innovation gaps and spend huge quantities of cash, time and power investing in technological options for short-term signs with out addressing the foundation causes,” stated Angela Hultberg, Director of International Sustainability at Kearney. .
“As a substitute, we should innovate incentives, applied sciences, enterprise fashions and insurance policies that embrace our elementary dependence on pure ecosystems (soil, water, microbes, local weather), all of which might be supported by a regenerative meals system.”