Could Milan Protocol lead the world to food sustainability?
Thursday, June 5, is the United Nations鈥� World Environment Day (WED)鈥攁n opportunity for the world to push for positive environmental action!聽
This year,听聽is focusing on how eaters, farmers, businesses, and governments can all take action on the forthcoming聽.
At the Milan Expo 2015, themed, 鈥淔eeding the Planet, Energy for Life,鈥� civil society will come together and draft a single framework鈥攖he Milan Protocol鈥攆or encouraging political leaders to address the challenges of food, agriculture, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. The Protocol aims to connect citizens and policy makers around a triple objective鈥攖o promote healthy lifestyles and fight obesity; to promote sustainable agriculture; and to reduce food waste by 50 percent by 2020.
The Protocol represents a commitment to work for long-lasting and environmentally sustainable change鈥攆rom both the public and private sectors.
End Food Waste
One-third of all food that is produced is thrown away without ever reaching peoples stomachs. And it鈥檚 not just the food itself that is wasted, but also precious land and water resources. And food waste in landfills is one of the biggest contributors of gas emissions, according to the UN Environment Program (UNEP).
To reduce food waste鈥攖otaling 1.3 billion tons鈥攂y 50 percent by 2020, eaters and consumers can support the current campaigns that aim to increase awareness of the effects of food waste from seed to fork including;聽,听,听,听, and many more.
And eaters can reduce their own food-print by meal planning, storing food properly, using leftovers, buying 鈥榰gly鈥� fruits and vegetables, and encouraging restaurants to reduce their food waste. Join the聽听补苍诲听聽to commit to reducing food waste and your personal food-print.
Create Sustainable Agriculture
Nearly one-third of all crop production is dedicated to feeding livestock or fueling cars, not feeding people. At the same time, nearly one billion people go to bed hungry each night. By 2020, 40 million hectares of land around the globe will be converted for biofuel crops.
But family farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America, and North America are already cultivating sustainable practices that will help protect the planet鈥檚 resources. Family farmers are more than food producers, they are stewards of biodiversity, climate change fighters, and entrepreneurs, boosting local economies. To help them do their multiple jobs better, we need to invest more in family farmers鈥攕mall and large鈥攁round the world. Watch Food Tank鈥檚 video about the importance of family farmers聽. And pledge your support to family farmers around the world by signing this聽聽and joining the聽.
Zero Hunger and Healthy Lifestyles
While hunger continues to plague at least one in six people on the planet, 1.5 billion people struggle with being overweight or obese. For every malnourished person there are two overweight individuals.
The Protocol aims to fight against obesity with an emphasis on food education and promoting healthy lifestyles. Individuals can start聽聽healthy, active lifestyles by finding out if there are any upcoming football games, races, cricket matches, or other sports events in their area. Last year, bike riders in Kenya and their families collected garbage and spread awareness of waste聽on WED. In the United States, First Lady Michelle Obama鈥檚 Let鈥檚 Move Campaign encourages students to get active at school and home.
And individuals and communities can come together to educate youth on gardening, sharing food, and more healthful food choices. There are many tools, including how to get involved, create healthier schools, and empower parents and caregivers, to help cultivate a new generation of thinkers, eaters, and leaders.
Join Food Tank and raise your voice this World Environment Day鈥攚hether you are shopping smarter, using your leftovers, teaching children about healthy eating, or supporting family farmers鈥攅very action counts!
Please join us in offering support for the Milan Protocol and check in with your individual actions using #WED2014. We hope you鈥檒l join us in promoting positive environmental action and becoming part of history!
