Analysis of Global Food System and Food Security Issues

This report examines the critical issues within the global food system, specifically highlighting the problem of food waste. It emphasizes that a significant portion of food produced globally, approximately one-third, is either lost or wasted annually, which is equivalent to 1.3 billion tons. This wastage occurs during both production and consumption, representing a misuse of resources and contributing to environmental concerns. The report further discusses the potential consequences of food waste, including the exacerbation of global hunger and climate change due to methane emissions from rotting food. To address these issues, the report proposes the implementation of low-cost storage methods near farms, improved transportation and redistribution processes, and enhanced agricultural infrastructure. Additionally, it suggests clarifying labeling practices and providing education on proper food storage techniques to reduce consumer waste. The report references relevant studies and research to support its analysis and proposed solutions.

Running head: GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEM AND FOOD SECURITY
GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEM AND FOOD SECURITY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEM AND FOOD SECURITY
Question- What do you consider is the biggest problem with the global food system and
what is the first step you would take to change it?
Answer- I think, the biggest problem with the global food system is that of food waste. Food
waste is an issue that is there at both the ends- production and the consumption. As per the
recent report, about 1/3rd of the total food that is produced around the world is either lost or
wasted and this is equal to 1.3 billion tons every year (Saqib et al. 2019). In this age, where
about 1 billion of total world’s population go hungry, it is simply unacceptable. Food waste
clearly represents the misuse of water, energy, labour, land and natural resources that were
used to produce the same. It should be noted that food embodies way more than what we see
in our plates. If it continuous with this rate, it is likely to see the global food gap being closed
by 20% within 2050. With the same, it is also to note that this issue is climate change concern
too as of the fact that methane that is emitted by the rotting of food has twenty three times
more potential than that of carbon dioxide to pollute the environment (Scharlemann et al.
2014). I think it is because of the issues in storage and harvesting technique that the
production food often loss in the developing nations and similarly, the food that is wasted
from the end of the consumers often is due to some safety or quality issues.
If I am given the opportunity to solve this issue, I would first that the initiative of
implementing methods of low-cost storage close to the farms and ensuring placement of
improved transportation and redistribution processes. Furthermore, I would also look towards
enhancing agricultural infrastructure and clarifying that there are “best-before” and “sell-by”
labels. However, I believe that before implementing anything, giving proper education on
proper methods of storage could reduce the wastage of consumer food to a significant extent.

2GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEM AND FOOD SECURITY
References:
Saqib, N.U., Sharma, H.B., Baroutian, S., Dubey, B. and Sarmah, A.K., 2019. Valorisation of
food waste via hydrothermal carbonisation and techno-economic feasibility assessment. The
Science of the total environment, 690, pp.261-276.
Scharlemann, J.P., Tanner, E.V., Hiederer, R. and Kapos, V., 2014. Global soil carbon:
understanding and managing the largest terrestrial carbon pool. Carbon Management, 5(1),
pp.81-91.