Scientists and environmentalists have already spoken at length about the impact of human activity on our planet. Apart from changes in temperature and levels of the ocean, changing climate on Earth is set to have far-reaching consequences on our food sources.
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As reported by People, Sam Kass, former White House chef and nutrition advisor, speaking at an event by Knorr in New York City this month, highlighted the importance of revisiting some of our most common food and agricultural practices since these are one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases.
If things continue on like it is currently, the world could soon run out of popular food products like wine, chocolate, coffee, shellfish and rice.
Exponential rise in food prices
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Kass told People,
A number of foods that we hold very dear to our hearts and largely take for granted are under a real threat.
And you're seeing in the future, we're on track for a lot of those to become quite scarce and some really to be largely unavailable to most people and others just significantly increased in cost.
Food production and agriculture not only emit a high level of carbon emissions but are also drivers of deforestation and consume an enormous amount of water.
Necessity to rethink agricultural practices
Kass told the gathering how without sustainable practices being adopted in these industries, food will become very expensive. The Knorr event titled, ‘$500 Dinner,’ was a way to demonstrate how the $72 per person meal served at the event, would cost $500 in 30 years.
Kass further said,
Food and agriculture is the only real opportunity that we have to sequester enough carbon on the scale that science is telling us, within the time horizon that the science is saying we have, and that's really unique to food and agriculture.
The nutrition adviser further recommended that sustainable habits such as consuming less red meat, and eating more beans and whole grains should be adopted by people.
Sources used:
People: ‘Former White House Chef Sam Kass Says Products Like Coffee, Rice Will Be 'Largely Unavailable' in 30 Years’
