World Environment Day – what’s it all about?

According to the UN’s Food & Agricultural Organisation, we waste 1.3 billion tons of food per year across the world. To put that in perspective, if we’re talking about ton bags of rice, you’d be able to cover over 1,000 square kilometers with the amount of wasted food. And, to put that in perspective, that’s two thirds of the surface of London covered in food. It’s also the same amount produced in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa.

So, why do 1 in every 7 people still go to bed hungry? This World Environment Day (5th June) the theme is ‘Think. Eat. Save’.  It’s all about encouraging us to become more aware of the environmental impact of the choices we make about sourcing our food, and what we do with it.

It’s estimated that global food production occupies a quarter of all habitable land, accounts for almost three quarters of fresh water consumption, 80% of deforestation and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, all of which hamper biodiversity and have a huge environmental impact.

Did you know, it takes over 1,000 litres of water to produce 1 litre of milk? It also takes about 16,000 litres of water (in feeding a cow) to make one hamburger. The amount of natural resource it takes, as well as the resulting emissions from the cow right through to powering industrial chilling cabinets that keep the food cool each our of each day. We waste an awful amount in the quest for convenience.

That’s why it’s important for us to take on the message of World Environment Day this year, and purposefully choose foods with minimal impact. Whether it’s locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables or organic products that don’t use chemicals in their production process, the food we buy must be responsibly sourced and sustainably made. Choosing ranges like our organic Suma food are a great way of thinking of the environment with our buying. Organic food is not a preserve of the wealthy; it’s simply a way of farming using no synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilisers, solvents or food additives. It ensures that harmful chemicals do not pollute our food, our planet or ourselves.

With the population of the world set to increase by almost 30% in 2050 (to 9 billion!) it’s more important than ever we look after this floating ball of rock we all call home.

You can find out more about World Environment Day here.

To see what you can buy more responsibly, you can also shop organic food right here at Ethical Superstore.