Science AMA Series: Hi, I am Professor Tim Benton. I work with
governments, universities and the World Economic Forum on how to feed
the growing human population without ruining our planet. Ask me
anything!
Abstract
I’m Professor Tim Benton, Professor for Population Ecology at the
University of Leeds and former UK Champion for Global Food Security. At
the moment, on a global basis, our food systems are not working well.
Half the world’s population is of an unhealthy weight (too light, too
heavy), the cost of malnutrition in all its forms is growing rapidly and
food-related ill-health is now the major global mortality factor. The
world’s food systems drive climate change (accounting for about a third
of all greenhouse gases), are the major cause of global biodiversity
loss, use 70% of the world’s extracted fresh water and impact heavily
on water and air quality. In some cities, agricultural emissions
drifting over the urban areas have similar levels of impacts as diesel
emissions. As the world’s population grows, dietary transformations are
necessary for people’s health. We need to eat more fruit and vegetables
and less (processed) carbs, sugar, fat; tackling climate change is
likely to require eating less meat too. How can such a change be brought
about? What difference would people eating a healthy diet have on
farming and its environmental impact? Can we actually live sustainably
on the planet or is the rising demand to eat (and waste) ever cheaper
food likely to continue, along with its consequences for people and the
planet? I’ll be here from 3PM BST/10AM EST to answer your questions on
these global challenges! I have to switch off now (its 1700 in the UK,
Tues)….Please continue to post questions and I’ll check tomorrow
(Weds) and see if I can add some new responses. More about my work can
be found here