Why Support the Sustainable Food Movement?

Earth’s resources are being used to feed more than six billion people. Activities related to industrial agriculture such as irrigation, usage of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and the packaging and transportation of food items is also taking a toll on the resources available on the planet. Food is essential for the survival of mankind but the environmental problems related to the production of it doesn’t seem to be ending. So what are consumers to do? Experts believe that the consumption of sustainable food can reduce the damage being caused to the environment. Food and meat products produced in a sustainable manner can be the best solution for individuals who want to enjoy guilt free food.

Environmentalists recommend locally grown seasonal produce as it not only causes less harm to the soil and environment but it is also healthy and more nutritious. Purchase of exotic fruits and vegetables can add up to the emission of greenhouse gases as these items are transported across the world that results in burning of more fossil fuel. Local produce will not only cause less destruction to the soil with minimal use of pesticides but it will also help local farmers get a fair price for their produce. The fact that the food system has transformed from locally grown sustainable production to industrialized pesticides based production; the importance of sustainable food has increased to a great extent. Heavy quantities of harmful fertilizers are used in industrial farms to keep off weed, protect the plants from pests and make the soil artificially fertile. But this results in more emission of carbon and harmful gases from the food sector.

Did you know that approximately one tenth of agricultural emission comes from the production of rice? The present industrial farming is not only damaging the soil but also causing pressure on the rainforests in Brazil and Indonesian wetlands. Since the wetlands and rainforests play an important role in curbing the negative impact of climate change, food production also adds up to the pressing issue of global warming.