How Does the Food System Impact Earth Overshoot Day?
How Does the Food System Impact Earth Overshoot Day? Slow Food International
sdgtalks
Earth Overshoot Day: A Report on Sustainability
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-being
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Climate Action
- Life Below Water
- Life on Land
- Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Partnerships for the Goals
Introduction
Earth Overshoot Day marks the date in which our global demand for ecological resources exceeds what Earth can regenerate in a given year. In an ideal world, in which our consumption of Earth’s resources was sustainable, Earth Overshoot Day would fall late on the date of December 31. However, in 2023, it falls on August 2.
Our collective food choices and agricultural practices play a pivotal role in rebalancing our use of resources. By embracing sustainable and eco-conscious alternatives, we can work toward a balanced and harmonious relationship with our planet’s resources.
The Current System
The agriculture industry (and industrial livestock production in particular) plays a significant role in bringing Earth Overshoot Day forwards. It is our responsibility as consumers to understand how.
Nobody can now deny the relationship between intensive farming, the climate crisis, and environmental disruption. Intensive animal farming heavily contributes to greenhouse gas emissions like methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide, increasing the greenhouse effect and worsening global warming.
Animal products from large-scale industrial farms leave a disproportionately large ecological footprint. For example, producing one ton of beef requires 14 times more biologically productive land than is needed to produce one ton of grain. Moreover, global livestock is responsible for approximately 9% of all anthropogenic carbon emissions.
If we reduced global meat consumption by 50% and increased our consumption of plant-based alternatives (legumes, whole grains, fruits and nuts, and vegetables), we could push Earth Overshoot Day back by a staggering 17 days. Even reducing meat consumption to just one day per week could move the date by 1.8 days.
Small-Scale Farming as a Solution
Those who calculate when Earth Overshoot Day falls have identified many existing solutions which are ready to be deployed at scale. The Slow Food Presidia model is one of them.
Slow Food Presidia are groups of producers committed to preserving food biodiversity and passing on traditional production techniques and crafts. They ensure high animal welfare, take care of the environment, and add value to landscapes, places, local economies, and cultures.
Together with Global Footprint Network, we have analyzed the environmental impact of Slow Food Presidia and whether they contribute to postponing Earth Overshoot Day. This investigation is based upon the results of the life cycle analysis performed by INDACO2 (INDicatori Ambientali e CO2), a spin-off of the University of Siena, which assesses the environmental impact of food produced following Slow Food principles.
Among these Presidia are the Italian Mora Romagnola, a pig breed indigenous to northern Italy which is in danger of disappearing, and the Macagn, a typical mountain cheese made from raw, full-fat, cow’s milk.
This research proves what we at Slow Food have been saying for a while: that sustainable animal production, as practiced by small-scale, artisanal, and environmentally conscious producers, is not only possible but essential.
We have used universally accepted and applied scientific parameters to measure the environmental impact of Presidia products and compared the results with similar industrial products. Carbon footprints are quantified in grams, kilos, or tons of carbon dioxide (CO2 eq). To make the results easier to understand, we have expressed CO2eq as the kilometers a car would have to travel to emit the same quantity of CO2.
The Role of Silvopasture
Small-scale food systems surrounded by nature, such as silvopasture, sequester 5-10 times more carbon than treeless pastures, reducing the risk for farmers and ranchers and improving overall resource security. Transitioning to sustainable farming practices that emphasize silvopasture techniques and biodiversity preservation is no longer a future ideal but a pressing necessity.
Scaling up silvopasture practices could move Earth Overshoot Day by 4 days by 2050, contributing significantly to a more sustainable future while supporting initiatives that promote carbon removal, such as those seen in the Italian Macagn Cheese Presidium, can help offset emissions and make farms carbon “removers.”
A sustainable future is within our grasp if we work together and take cohesive action.
Conclusion
Let’s reduce our resource consumption, secure our future, and save the planet. Together, we can #MoveTheDate.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems | – Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture – Indicator 2.4.2: Proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions, including by sex, age, disability, and location |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination | – Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution – Indicator 3.9.2: Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation, and lack of hygiene (exposure to unsafe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene for All (WASH) services) |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses | – Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index – Indicator 12.3.2: Food waste index |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements | – Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area – Indicator 15.1.2: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
The article discusses the impact of food choices and agricultural practices on Earth Overshoot Day. By embracing sustainable and eco-conscious alternatives, the article suggests that we can work towards a balanced and harmonious relationship with the planet’s resources.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article highlights the relationship between intensive animal farming and greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to air pollution and climate change. These factors can have negative impacts on human health and well-being.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The article emphasizes the importance of reducing meat consumption and increasing the consumption of plant-based alternatives to push Earth Overshoot Day back. This aligns with the goal of responsible consumption and production.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article mentions the need to transition to sustainable farming practices that emphasize techniques like silvopasture and biodiversity preservation. These actions contribute to climate change mitigation and align with SDG 13.
SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the environmental impact of small-scale farming practices, such as the Slow Food Presidia model, which contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems (SDG 2)
The article emphasizes the need for sustainable agricultural practices to rebalance our use of resources and reduce the ecological footprint of animal products.
Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination (SDG 3)
The article highlights the negative health impacts of intensive animal farming, including greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses (SDG 12)
The article suggests that reducing meat consumption and embracing sustainable alternatives can help reduce food waste and losses, contributing to this target.
Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning (SDG 13)
The article emphasizes the need to transition to sustainable farming practices that integrate climate change measures like silvopasture and biodiversity preservation.
Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements (SDG 15)
The article discusses the environmental impact of small-scale farming practices, such as the Slow Food Presidia model, which contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, based on the information provided, the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture (SDG 2)
– Indicator 2.4.2: Proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions, including by sex, age, disability, and location (SDG 2)
– Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution (SDG 3)
– Indicator 3.9.2: Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation, and lack of hygiene (exposure to unsafe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene for All (WASH) services) (SDG 3)
– Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index (SDG 12)
– Indicator 12.3.2: Food
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: slowfood.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
