Dataset Information

Addressing China's grand challenge of achieving food security while ensuring environmental sustainability.

ABSTRACT: China's increasingly urbanized and wealthy population is driving a growing and changing demand for food, which might not be met without significant increase in agricultural productivity and sustainable use of natural resources. Given the past relationship between lack of access to affordable food and political instability, food security has to be given a high priority on national political agendas in the context of globalization. The drive for increased food production has had a significant impact on the environment, and the deterioration in ecosystem quality due to historic and current levels of pollution will potentially compromise the food production system in China. We discuss the grand challenges of not only producing more food but also producing it sustainably and without environmental degradation. In addressing these challenges, food production should be considered as part of an environmental system (soil, air, water, and biodiversity) and not independent from it. It is imperative that new ways of meeting the demand for food are developed while safeguarding the natural resources upon which food production is based. We present a holistic approach to both science and policy to ensure future food security while embracing the ambition of achieving environmental sustainability in China. It is a unique opportunity for China to be a role model as a new global player, especially for other emerging economies.

SUBMITTER: Lu Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4644077 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Addressing China's grand challenge of achieving food security while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Lu Yonglong Y Jenkins Alan A Ferrier Robert C RC Bailey Mark M Gordon Iain J IJ Song Shuai S Huang Jikun J Jia Shaofeng S Zhang Fusuo F Liu Xuejun X Feng Zhaozhong Z Zhang Zhibin Z

Science advances 20150220 1

China's increasingly urbanized and wealthy population is driving a growing and changing demand for food, which might not be met without significant increase in agricultural productivity and sustainable use of natural resources. Given the past relationship between lack of access to affordable food and political instability, food security has to be given a high priority on national political agendas in the context of globalization. The drive for increased food production has had a significant impa ...[more]

PMID: 26601127

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Project description:Background:Studies investigating diet-related environmental impacts have rarely considered the production method of the foods consumed. The objective of the present study, based on the NutriNet-Santé cohort, was to investigate the relationship between a provegetarian score and diet-related environmental impacts. We also evaluated potential effect modifications on the association between a provegetarian score and the environmental impacts of organic food consumption. Methods:Food intake and organic food consumption ratios were obtained from 34,442 French adults using a food frequency questionnaire, which included information on organic food consumption for each group. To characterize the overall structure of the diets, a provegetarian score was used to identify preferences for plant-based products as opposed to animal-based products. Moreover, three environmental indicators were used to assess diet-related environmental impacts: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, cumulative energy demand (CED), and land occupation. Environmental impacts were assessed using production life cycle assessment (LCA) at the farm level. Associations between provegetarian score quintiles, the level of organic food consumption, and environmental indicators were analyzed using ANCOVAs adjusted for energy, sex, and age. Results:Participants with diets rich in plant-based foods (fifth quintile) were more likely to be older urban dwellers, to hold a higher degree in education, and to be characterized by an overall healthier lifestyle and diet. A higher provegetarian score was associated with lower environmental impacts (GHG emissionsQ5vsQ1?=?838/1,664?kg CO2eq/year, -49.6%, P?<?0.0001; CEDQ5vsQ1?=?4,853/6,775?MJ/year, -26.9%, P?<?0.0001; land occupationQ5vsQ1?=?2,420/4,138?m2/year, -41.5%, P?<?0.0001). Organic food consumption was also an important modulator of the relationship between provegetarian dietary patterns and environmental impacts but only among participants with diets rich in plant-based products. Conclusion:Future field studies should endeavor to integrate all the components of a sustainable diet, i.e., both diet composition and production methods.

Dataset Information

Addressing China's grand challenge of achieving food security while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Publications

Addressing China's grand challenge of achieving food security while ensuring environmental sustainability.

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