Tackling Climate Change & Reducing Health Risks

Responsible Food Production and Consumption:

Tackling Climate Change & Reducing Health Risks

Mediterranean Diet for Overall Health (MedDiet4Health) Pr. numb.: 2023-2-EL01-KA210-VET-000183592

SDG 12

• Sustainable Consumption and Production (SDG 12) is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015.
• SDG 12 focuses on promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure and providing access to basic services, green and decent jobs and a better quality of life for all.

Food systems are at the heart of SDG 12 which aims to advance sustainable consumption and production patterns. This goal emphasizes the importance of transforming how we produce and consume food to reduce environmental impact, conserve resources and promote health.

Tackling Climate Change: Overview

Goal:

• Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: decrease the release of gases like carbon dioxide and methane that contribute to global warming and climate change.

• Enhance Ecosystem Resilience: this involves strengthening ecosystems to better withstand and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, ensuring they continue to function and support biodiversity.

Tackling Climate Change through responsible production

1. Tackling Climate Change through responsible production

Key areas to consider:

1. Sustainable Agriculture Practices
2. Reducing Food Waste
3. Energy Efficiency
4. Sustainable Livestock Management

Tackling Climate Change through responsible production

1.1. Sustainable agricultural practices

Crop Rotation and Diversification

These practices reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, and increase biodiversity, which can enhance carbon sequestration and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.

Agroforestry

Integrating trees and shrubs into farming systems helps sequester carbon, provides habitat for wildlife, and enhances overall ecosystem resilience.

Organic Farming

By avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, organic farming reduces greenhouse gas emissions and supports healthier ecosystems.

Tackling Climate Change through responsible production

1.2. Reducing food waste

A. Efficient Supply Chains: Implementing better storage, transportation, and processing technologies can minimize food losses, reducing the overall carbon footprint of food production.

+info

Tackling Climate Change through responsible production

1.2. Reducing food waste

B. Consumer Education: Raising awareness about the environmental impact of food waste and promoting practices to reduce it can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production and disposal.

+info

Tackling Climate Change through responsible production

1.3. Energy efficiency

World Overshoot Day The date when humanity's demand for ecological resources in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. By improving energy efficiency, we reduce the ecological footprint of food production and consumption, delaying World Overshoot Day. This promotes sustainable resource use and helps balance human demand with Earth's ability to regenerate resources.

1. Renewable Energy: Utilizing solar, wind and biogas in farming operations reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Energy-efficient Technologies: Implementing advanced machinery and techniques can reduce energy consumption and improve the overall sustainability of food production.

Tackling Climate Change through responsible production

1.4. Sustainable Livestock Management

A. Methane Reduction: Adopting dietary changes for livestock and improved manure management can significantly reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.

+info

Tackling Climate Change through responsible production

1.4. Sustainable Livestock Management

B. Pasture Management: Implementing rotational grazing and other sustainable practices enhances carbon sequestration in soils and improves ecosystem health.

+info

Reducing Health Risks: Overview

Goal:

• Esure that food production and consumption contribute to better public health and environmental sustainability.
• By addressing various factors that impact health, we can create food systems that are not only safer but also more nutritious and environmentally friendly.
• This involves minimizing harmful chemicals, improving food safety, and promoting better dietary practices.

2. reducing health risks through responsible production

Key areas to consider:

1. Pesticide and Antibiotic Reduction
2. Promoting Nutritious Foods
3. Food Safety Practices
4. Reducing Chemical Exposure
5. Education and Awareness

Reducing Health Risks through responsible production

2.1. Pesticide & Antibiotic Reduction

A. Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools to manage pests in an environmentally and economically sound manner reduces the need for harmful pesticides.

+info

Reducing Health Risks through responsible production

2.1. Pesticide & Antibiotic Reduction

B. Antibiotic Stewardship: Reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock combats antibiotic resistance, promoting both animal and human health

+info

Reducing Health Risks through responsible production

2.2. Promoting Nutritious Foods

A. Diverse Crop Production

Diverse crop production supports food security and resilience by providing a range of nutrients essential for human health. This approach promotes biodiversity, which benefits ecosystem stability and productivity.

Growing a wide variety of crops ensures that diets are more balanced and nutritionally complete. Different crops provide different essential nutrients (ie vitamins, antioxidants) that contribute to overall health.

Reducing Health Risks through responsible production

2.2. Promoting Nutritious Foods

B. Fortified and Biofortified Crops

By providing essential nutrients through fortified or biofortified crops, we enhance the nutritional quality of staple foods and support better health outcomes. This is important to combat malnutrition and related health issues.

Fortified crops are enriched with additional nutrients that may be lacking in the diet (ie vitamins). Biofortified crops are bred to have higher levels of these nutrients naturally. Both approaches help address specific nutritional deficiencies in populations, improving public health and reducing the prevalence of diet-related diseases.

Reducing Health Risks through responsible production

2.3. Food Safety Practices

• Hygienic Processing and Storage: Implementing rigorous food safety standards reduces contamination and foodborne illnesses.
• Traceability Systems: Ensuring traceability from farm to table helps quickly address food safety issues, protecting consumer health.

Reducing Health Risks through responsible production

2.4. Reducing Chemical Exposure

• Natural Pest Control: Using natural predators and biopesticides to manage pests reduces reliance on chemical pesticides, minimizing health risks.

• Soil Health: Improving soil health through organic practices reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, leading to healthier food production.

Reducing Health Risks through responsible production

2.5. Education and Awareness

• Consumer Education: Informing consumers about the health benefits of sustainably produced food and the risks related to conventional methods can drive demand for safer, healthier food options.

• Farmer Training: Educating farmers about sustainable practices and their benefits for health and the environment promotes the adoption of responsible production methods.

Responsible food production is essential for creating a sustainable and resilient food system that addresses climate change and promotes healthier, safer food. By integrating these practices, we can ensure a better future for both our planet and its inhabitants.

SDG12

on Tackling Climate Change & Reducing Health Risks

through responsiblefood production and consumption

Quiz

Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls

Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere

Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns

1. What is the main focus of Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12)?dipiscing elit sed diam?

QUESTION 1/5

QUIZ LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET

NEXT QUESTION

RIGHT!

QUIZ LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET

Better storage techniques

Optimizing transportation routes

Increasing food production

Which practice is NOT a strategy to reduce food waste in supply chains?

QUESTION 2/5

QUIZ LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET

NEXT QUESTION

RIGHT!

QUIZ LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET

By reducing the need for crop rotation

By increasing reliance on synthetic pesticides

By enhancing biodiversity and sequestering carbon

How does agroforestry contribute to sustainability?

QUESTION 3/5

QUIZ LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET

NEXT QUESTION

RIGHT!

QUIZ LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET

It encourages the use of more pesticides

It promotes monoculture farming

It raises awareness about the impact of food waste

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit sed diam?

QUESTION 4/5

QUIZ LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET

NEXT QUESTION

RIGHT!

QUIZ LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET

It increases the use of synthetic pesticides

It reduces crop diversity

It is economically and environmentally sound

What is a key benefit of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

QUESTION 5/5

QUIZ LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET

RESULTS

RIGHT!

QUIZ LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET

The Eco Champion

The Sustainability Savvy

The Green Learner

The Curious Consumer

5Correct

3-4Correct

1-2Correct

0Correct

QUIZ LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET

Creditshttps://www.monday.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/supply-chain-diagram.pnghttps://tracextech.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/crop-rotation.jpeg https://d32m1btok6bzqh.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Agro2.jpg https://i.ndtvimg.com/i/2017-02/soil_620x350_81487334083.jpg https://iwa-network.org/the-sustainable-development-goals-an-opportunity-too-good-to-be-missed/ https://iwa-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Screen-Shot-2016-09-14-at-16.36.45.png https://www.un.org/en/food-systems-summit/sdgshttps://www.enel.com/company/stories/articles/2023/03/ecological-resiliencehttps://www.foodsecurity.ac.uk/blog/the-food-system-is-a-vital-part-of-the-climate-solution/https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/what-sustainable-agriculturehttps://news.un.org/en/story/2022/11/1130532https://www.fao.org/newsroom/story/Three-sustainable-energy-solutions-for-food-production-and-places-where-they-are-used/enhttps://healthforanimals.org/resources/newsletter/articles/three-ways-livestock-farming-is-becoming-more-sustainable/https://ofrf.org/organicforclimate/https://www.fao.org/conservation-agriculture/in-practice/species-diversification/en/https://tracextech.com/sustainable-food-supply-chains/https://zerofoodwastecoalition.org/action/educate-and-activate-consumers/https://www.slowfood.com/blog-and-news/how-does-the-food-system-impact-earth-overshoot-day/#:~:text=If%20we%20reduced%20global%20meat,the%20date%20by%201.8%20days.https://sustainablefoodtrust.org/our-work/sustainable-livestock/https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/02c4f309-7b6c-4e5b-9a3b-1b30c542470f/contenthttps://www.fda.gov/consumers/womens-health-topics/food-safety-homehttps://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-retail/safe-food-practices-guidelines/safe-food-practices-guidelineshttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713523004401

Did you know the benefits? - Environmentally Sound: IPM uses a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods to manage pests. It reduces reliance on chemical pesticides. By using natural predators, crop rotation and other non-chemical methods, IPM minimizes environmental impact and supports ecological balance. - Economically Sound: By focusing on preventative measures and targeted interventions, IPM helps reduce the need for costly chemical applications. This can lower production costs and improve profitability for farmers.

Did you know the strategies? - Awareness Campaigns: Launching educational campaigns to inform consumers about the environmental and economic impacts of food waste and provide practical tips for reducing waste at home. - Reduction Practices: Sharing strategies such as meal planning, proper food storage techniques, and creative ways to use leftovers helps consumers make more sustainable choices.

Did you know the benefits? -Reduces Antibiotic Resistance: Responsible use of antibiotics in livestock is crucial for preventing the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Stewardship practices promote the careful and restricted use of antibiotics, helping to preserve their effectiveness and combat resistance. - Promotes Animal Health: involves using antibiotics only when necessary and in appropriate dosages. This practice not only prevents resistance but also ensures that antibiotics remain effective when they are needed to treat infections. By improving overall animal health, stewardship supports better animal welfare

Did you know the strategies? - Rotational Grazing: This technique involves moving animals between different areas of pasture. Grass is allowed to grow back in areas where animals have grazed, preventing overuse and keeping the soil healthy. - Carbon Sequestration Practices: They focus on capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil. Keeping the pasture covered with grass and minimizing soil disturbance help store more carbon in the ground. .

Did you know the strategies? - Better Storage: Implementing advanced storage techniques, such as temperature-controlled environments and improved packaging, can extend the shelf life of perishable goods and reduce spoilage. - Transportation: Optimizing transportation routes and methods ensures that food is moved quickly and efficiently from farms to consumers, minimizing delays and waste. - Processing Technologies: Adopting modern processing technologies, like advanced sorting and preservation methods, helps maintain food quality and reduces waste throughout the supply chain.

Did you know the strategies? - Dietary Changes: Adjusting what livestock eat can help reduce the amount of methane they produce (ie higher-quality feed can decrease the methane that animals release during digestion). - Improved Manure Management: Using methods like composting or special digesters can capture and reduce methane emissions from manure, turning it into useful energy or fertilizer. .