What is sustainability?
Sustainability is defined as meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In other words, the concept of sustainability means taking care of the environment and using natural resources wisely so that our Earth will be habitable for years to come. The concept of sustainability has emerged recently over the course of the past few decades as threats of global warming, endangered animals, and pollution have begun to loom large.
What is global warming?
Earth’s climate has changed many times since its formation, from ice ages to volcanic eruptions. However, in the most recent decades, a steady trend of global warming can be seen. Global warming is caused when carbon dioxide and other green house gases and emitted into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat that would typically escape to space, effectively serving as a “green house” over the planet. Global warming has has such as drastic effect on Earth’s climate that five of the hottest years ever recorded have all occurred since 2015. Other effects of global warming include extreme weather such as droughts, wildfires, and floods.
How does climate change affect food insecurity?
While everyone around the world is affected by climate change, not everyone is affected equally. Immigrants, people of color, Indigenous Americans, other minorities, and people in poverty are all disproportionately affected by climate change. For example, the dispersal of aid after a natural disaster caused by climate change often reflects socioeconomic status. These also tend to be the same groups that experience food insecurity the most. Because underprivileged communities often have poor housing, financial strain, and a lack of proper insurance, climate change in the form of natural disasters can serve to send families into food insecurity.
How can sustainability help end food insecurity?
Many sustainable practices toward food can help ease food insecurity for others. Reducing food waste by donating excess food to those in need can both help climate change and food insecurity. Another area of sustainability is fresh water conservation. Achieving sustainable ways to conserve water ensures that there will be enough water to grow crops. If water conservation is not enough, developing climate resistant crops that can withstand drought becomes equally important. In other words, sustainable practices for growing, distributing, and eating food can all help end both climate change and food insecurity.
How can I be sustainable?
- Donate unused foods
- Save energy by turning off lights
- Use all parts of the food in creative ways (i.e. find a way to use the banana peel and the banana flesh)
- Compost and garden
- Eat less meat
- Recycle and reuse
- Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic
Article Sources:
https://www.usda.gov/oce/energy-and-environment/food-security
https://psci.princeton.edu/tips/2020/8/15/racial-disparities-and-climate-change
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/global-warming-101#causes
https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
https://www.concernusa.org/story/climate-change-food-security/
http://www.globalfoodsecurityconference.com/session-topics-and-descriptions.asp
Food Allergy Allies 
Food waste is an issue to deal with. Thank you 😊🌍
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