The Role of Food Waste for Climate Change
Every year, the issue of climate change gets worse. These natural disaster might not be something that we could significantly feel, but it is indeed is a punishment from The Almighty to what humankind has done. Certainly, it is because the earth’s temperature is gradually increasing. However, many of us do not realize that these things are caused by humans themselves.
Many daily activities that we are not aware of are endangering the earth. As simple as the matter of what we EAT. We eat an average of 3 times a day. Of the three times of meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner, of course, we will choose the food we like. Food that suits our taste buds.
Often we order too much food or prepare excess food. We might feel hungry at first, in the end the food we ordered is too much and we won’t be able finish it. There is still plenty of food but we’re already feeling bloated. Things like this happen a lot and any leftover food is simply thrown away. These food are called food waste.
Question is: Are we aware that this action affects the sustainability of the earth?
Did you know? According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the United Nations (UN), it is estimated that 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted or lost globally each year.
Meanwhile, According to World Food Programme (WFP), Indonesia’s population is 258.7 million people, and 19.4 million people cannot meet their food needs. Where the greatest poverty is in rural areas, amounting to 14.3% of the population living below the poverty line.
FAO’s definition of food waste:
“Food waste relates to a decrease in the quantity or quality of food as a result of the decisions and actions of retailers, food service providers and consumers.”
As a consumer, it is not impossible to reduce or even stop wasting food.
World Wide Fund for Nature states that,
“Food that is wasted is not just a social or humanitarian problem, it’s an environmental problem. When we waste food, we also waste all the energy and water needed to grow, harvest, transport, and package it. And if the food goes to landfill. garbage and rotting, it produces methane — a greenhouse gas that is even more potent than carbon dioxide. About 11% of all greenhouse gas emissions that come from the food system could be reduced if we stopped wasting food. “
Can we contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) if we reduce our daily food waste?
Answer is: YES. By reducing food waste, we can contribute to creating a world without hunger. This action can help our country accomplish the world’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 12 (Responsible consumption and production), Goal 13 (Climate Action).
FAO: “For many people on the planet, food is a given.”
So, are you ready to stand by me and stop wasting food? Let me know and I’d be happy to you share how!
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