News

Five things decision-makers should know about feeding the planet

Food prices have risen rapidly across much of the world in the past two years, with major political and economic consequences. With climate change threatening even greater disruptions, how can we adjust our food production systems to prevent future crises and reduce food inequality? Here’s some guidance from a team of food system experts.
Kasvihuoneen kastelujärjestelmä
Aalto researchers have developed a fully sealed wooden greenhouse that makes vertical farming more efficient and profitable. A drop curtain system maintains the desired air humidity and cools the grow room. Photo: Mikko Raskinen/Aalto University

1. Food production is a complex system, and changing one element can have unintended consequences

Global food production is a complex arrangement of interconnected systems, and policy decisions need to take this into account. For example, many countries have encouraged the production of biofuels to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, but this has made less cropland available for food production, contributing to increased food prices and compromising food security. Another example is the prioritisation of high-yielding crop varieties, which aims to increase production but has led to a loss of biodiversity and crop diversity, making crops more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Understanding these interconnections is even more important when dealing with the interactions between finely balanced food production systems and climate change. In many instances – such as in European and North American countries – one of the most effective policies would be to encourage dietary changes towards plant-based protein sources.

2. Food systems are responsible for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions 

A good starting point for reducing emissions from food systems is improving the sustainability of food production. ‘Food systems impact the globe more than any other human action,’ says researcher Vilma Sandström. Food production takes up nearly half of the habitable land and is responsible for 70% of freshwater withdrawals and nearly 60% of the world’s biodiversity loss. Taken together, production, processing, transport and waste management account for one-third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. ‘Conversion of forests to agriculture is still one of the biggest emission sources from food production, especially in developing countries,’ says researcher Mika Jalava. 

3. One-third of global food production is at high risk from climate change if we don’t change course

Farming requires the right climatic conditions, with the temperature, aridity and rainfall all remaining within a certain range. If we don’t reduce GHG emissions, climate change will force around a third of current farmland out of this ‘safe climactic space’ by 2090. Worse yet, most of this change will happen in areas that have the highest population growth and are also the least resilient to disruptions in food supply – primarily sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This means that it’s crucial that we increase food production security while also reducing emissions.

4. We know how to provide food for several billion more people while dramatically reducing GHG emissions

Changes in livestock and fish production would free up enough food for a billion people, according to a recent study led by Sandström. We currently use one-third of cereal production and one-quarter of fish production to make animal feed. Replacing this with by-products from human food production—such as leftovers from producing fruit juice, dairy products and meat—would increase the global food supply by 13-15%. That’s enough food for about a billion people. These gains could be doubled by reducing losses in the food supply chain. A 2012 study led by Professor Matti Kummu showed that around 25% of food production is lost in harvesting, processing and distribution. Producing the lost food still emits GHG, so reducing the losses would bring down the emissions per calorie of consumed food. Altogether, reducing waste, producing food more efficiently and changing dietary habits would feed more people while averting 0.5 °C of warming over the next century. 

5. Our planet can support food production for 10 billion people

The researchers’ work has shown that by carefully managing resource and using efficient, low-waste agriculture and low-meat consumption, we could produce enough food for 10 billion people. Their analysis even shows that we could do this while reversing biodiversity loss and reducing fertiliser use and water extraction from rivers. Accomplishing this calls for different adjustments in different areas. In Europe and North America, the greatest gains would come from switching diets to foods with a lower environmental impact, while countries in sub-Saharan Africa would benefit most from improving yields by increasing nutrient and water input. Changes in land use–in most cases moving from grazing to crop cultivation–would also increase food production globally, though care is needed to avoid unintended consequences. 

Bridging the gap between science and decision-making

Our experts break down what we should know about current societal trends.

Vihreitä lehtiä ajelehtii vedessä (kuvituskuva)

What should decision-makers know about green hydrogen?

How can green hydrogen help make the world a better place, and how can Finland encourage its development and uptake? We’ve compiled a concise information package on green hydrogen for decision-makers.

News
Kaupunkipihalla kasvaa korkeahkoa ruohoa ja pensaita

Viisi asiaa, jotka päättäjien tulee tietää hiiliviisaasta kaupunkivihreästä 

Kaupunkivihreällä on keskeinen rooli hiilinielujen kasvattamisessa. Kaupunkivihreän lisääminen lieventää myös helleaaltoja ja kaupunkitulvia sekä edistää luonnon monimuotoisuutta.

Uutiset
Metals

Five things decision-makers should know about the electrification of society

Electrification plays a key role in solving the climate crisis. Aalto University researchers describe what kind of challenges this entails and how they can be tackled.

News

Anything but an ordinary greenhouse

A wood-structured windowless greenhouse consumes only half as much energy as a traditional glass greenhouse. In addition to producing food, Pasi Herranen’s invention could generate electricity and excess heat in the future.

Read more about the wooden greenhouse
Kuvassa Pasi Herranen, Orvokki Ihalainen ja Panu Miettinen
  • Published:
  • Updated:

Read more news

A new eco-friendly method to modify cellulose for sustainable materials
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

A new eco-friendly method to modify cellulose for sustainable materials

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a method to modify cellulose, reducing toxic solvent use by over ten times compared to traditional methods. This innovation has potential applications in eco-friendly nanocomposites, cellulose-based membranes, and biomedical devices, supporting sustainable material development.
Modern beige building with multiple windows, balconies, and surrounded by tall trees.
Cooperation, Research & Art, Studies Published:

Vacant properties in Kouvola to be repurposed through circulation economy construction

Aalto University students are seeking solutions to Kouvola city’s property challenges
Three persons sitting in front of multiple screens, balloons floating in the air
Awards and Recognition, Studies Published:
image
Research & Art Published:

Boendets pris - ett finskt perspektiv

Gästföreläsning för jagvillhabostad.nu i samarbete med institutionen för urbana studier, Malmö universitet