U.N. agencies are calling for an end to food loss and waste as the United Nations marks the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A U.N. Environment Program report says over 930 million tons of food waste were generated in 2019. The chief of UNEP\u2019s energy and climate branch, Mark Radka, said that represents about 20% of available food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is evidence that household food waste is generated at a similar per capita level in all countries, regardless of country income level,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, households, on average generate about 74 kilograms per person, per year in food waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has serious implications, given the U.N.\u2019s latest estimates that 828 million people globally are going hungry. Food and Agriculture Organization findings indicate 14% of the world\u2019s food is lost after harvest. An estimated 17% is wasted in retail and at the consumption stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAO Senior Enterprise Development Officer Rosa Rolle calls food loss and waste a global problem that has significant impact on climate, food security, and the sustainability of agri-food systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver the past two years, agri-food systems across the globe have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and the war in Ukraine, pushing millions of people into food insecurity, with hunger and malnutrition on the rise,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FAO says food waste and loss accelerate climate change and harm the environment. It says about 31% of total greenhouse gas emissions, which lead to global warming, are attributable to the agri-food system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UNEP says reducing food loss and waste could decrease methane emissions by 15% by 2030. It notes methane has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere. It says at least 25% of today\u2019s global warming by methane is caused by human action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: Voice of America<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"