Every year, $936 billion worth of food is wasted, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). These 1.3 billion tonnes, equivalent to one third of all food produced, can be used to feed over two billion people. However, the uneven distribution of resources across the world means the lost waste ends up in landfills, instead of going to the impoverished and malnourished.

Furthermore, the agricultural sector and food production have severely harmful effects on the environment and climate change. Global food loss accounts for 8% of all greenhouse gas emissions, and the emissions cost up to $411 billion annually. In North America, each person releases 860 kilograms (kg) of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) into the atmosphere every year; in Asia, each person releases 810 kg; in Europe, 680 kg; and in Latin America, 540 kg.

Food can be wasted at a variety of stages within the production process, which includes agricultural production, handling, storage, processing, distribution and finally, consumption. However, the meat industry, though not as large as other sectors, may contribute the most to climate change. Animals, like cows, produce the greenhouse gas methane, and the use of fertilizer in their food and manure management can also harm the environment.

“One of the things the government can do is, we subsidize farmers for producing corn. And as a result of that, we grow more corn than we need, and a lot of that corn goes to feeding cows. And the production of beef is one of the more harmful products that we produce, so if we can ask our government to stop subsidizing corn but rather start subsidizing the healthy vegetables,” Diana Moss, upper school Spanish teacher and Green Team adviser said.

The United Nations aims to cut back on food waste by one half by 2030, and although world governments have a large responsibility in this issue, there is still much that individuals can do. As our community celebrated Earth Day this past week, we should recognize that our own decisions can help or harm our planet as well.

“It’s much better to consume as much as you can and not overbuy and waste the food because other people might profit off of the food more than you can if you wasted it. So just be conscious of the food you consume and what you purchase,” Paulina Gicqueau (10), a Green Team member said. “Especially when you go back on campus, grab as much as you need and not more; take everything in moderation.”

Some food waste is inevitable, but the scraps can be turned into compost for soil. Moss recommends that families set up a composting system at home.

“If you do toss your food, consider composting. I would love to see a student-led initiative to see if we can get a sort of composting system at Harker, because that food waste could be turned into soil and enrich the soil,” Moss said.

Other solutions include eating more sustainable foods, buying locally grown produce, saving leftovers and avoiding putting harmful substances into the soil.