Synopses & Reviews
An estimated 50% of the food produced worldwide is wasted. If the entire world had the same voracious appetite as Europeans, it would take three planets to produce the amount demanded.
In Britain, 18 million tonnes (14 billion pounds worth) of perfectly edible household food is thrown away every year. Apart from the waste, overeating is becoming a serious public health issue in many countries. According to a U.S. study, Western countries are consuming an average daily surplus of 1400 calories per person.
This easy to read manual on overproduction and overconsumption in contemporary society highlights some alarming global data. It discusses the origins and causes of food waste and its correlation with climate change, agriculture, population growth, and the need for a more ethical, ecological society. The complexity of the waste dynamic processes imposes a dire need to reconsider economic relationships and social values in the light of sustainability and eco-efficiency.
After a foreword by Vandana Shiva , the first two chapters describe the current imbalanced global food market. The book then goes on to present projects from around the world that are aimed at finding practical and efficient solutions to food waste. Particular emphasis is placed on Last Minute Market. This initiative links shops and producers with unsold food to people, and charities, in need. Originated at the University of Bologna Faculty of Agriculture, the project offers economic, environmental and social benefits. Alongside other European initiatives, it has contributed to a greener economy and a more sustainable world. Based on the data, and on the initiatives presented, the conclusion is devoted to the idea of a "new intelligent ecology".
Synopsis
This easy to read manual on overproduction and overconsumption in contemporary society highlights some alarming global data. It discusses the origins and causes of food waste and its correlation with climate change, agriculture, population growth, and the need for a more ethical, ecological society. Case studies and practical information are included to show readers ways of transforming food waste into a resource.
Synopsis
The book represents an easy to read manual on the dynamics of overproduction and overconsumption in the contemporary society. It highlights some alarming global data and discusses the origins/causes of food waste and its correlation with climate change, agriculture, the growing population and the need for a more ethical and ecological society. Following the first two critical chapters, where the current imbalanced global food market is presented, the third and fourth chapters are devoted to the presentation of some virtuous projects from all over the world. Such projects aim at finding practical and efficient solutions to food waste, thus bringing some hope in the current disappointing food waste scenario. In particular, a deep analysis will be dedicated to Last Minute Market, an original initiative that links shops and producers who have unsold products (food in particular) - which would otherwise be discarded - with people and charities in need.
Originated at the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Bologna (Italy), the project has proved to have economic, environmental and social benefits and, alongside other European initiatives (FareShare in UK, Stop Wasting Food Movement in Denmark, ANDES in France and others), has contributed to a greener economy and a more sustainable world, which is now "hungry" for change. Based on the data and on the initiatives presented in the book, the conclusion will be devoted to the discussion of a new framework, a "new intelligent ecology". The complexity of the waste dynamic processes imposes in fact a dire need to reconsider economic relationships and social values in the light of a new combination between sustainability and eco-efficiency.
Synopsis
This easy to read manual on food overproduction and overconsumption highlights alarming global data and discusses food waste and its relationship with the need for a more ethical and ecological society.
About the Author
Andrea Segrè is a Professor, Economist and Agronomist. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Bologna and Cornell University and a Masters Degree in Politiques Agricoles et Administration du Développement from the Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier in France. He is currently Dean and Professor of Comparative and International Agricultural Policy and Policies for Agricultural Development at the University of Bologna Faculty of Agriculture. He has published over 200 articles on food policy and the correlation between food waste, distribution, trade, and ethics.
Professor Segrè is also President of Last Minute Market, an academic spin-off from the University of Bologna which provides innovative services for the recovery and reuse of unsold food and goods. In 2010, he promoted the initiative "One Year Against Waste" sponsored by the European Parliament Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.
Silvia Gaiani holds a Masters Degree in International Relations and a PhD in International Cooperation and Policies for Sustainable Development from the University of Bologna, Italy. She is currently a Researcher in Agricultural Economics at the University of Bologna Faculty of Agriculture. Dr Gaiani has also conducted applied research in Europe and Asia focusing on food policies and the environmental and socio-economic impact of food waste. She also works as a consultant for the World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1; A short history of food and production; The current global issues - Hunger and Inequalities, Consumption and Consumerism; The current food crisis; An emerging issue : how to feed the growing population? ; Solutions for addressing food security ; Chapter 2; Food Waste or food for thought?; How to define the "food waste"; Where does food waste originate?; Is food waste a problem of developed countries only?; The link between waste and climate change; Chapter 3; Making the best out of food waste; Some enlightening examples of actions and projects around the world; Chapter 4; LAST MINUTE MARKET- the win-win project; How LMM works; Why LMM is not a food bank; Environmental, social, economic benefits; A way towards reduction in CO2 emission; Conclusion