Aligning Science with Sustainability: The Politics of Evidence and Innovation in Food Systems

Summary

Chris Béné from CIAT discusses the political economy of food systems transformation, emphasizing the need for structural change rather than mere technological innovation. He points out that despite awareness of food insecurity issues, the current systems continue to perpetuate inequality and unsustainability. Béné argues for a more critical role of scientists and experts in challenging the status quo, advocating for policy-driven innovation that aligns with sustainability goals.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The world faces food insecurity due to climate change, geopolitical instability, and inequality.
• 🔄 Inequality is not just a problem but a persistent issue that has been increasing globally.
• 🌱 The current political and economic systems are not effectively addressing the root causes of inequality and food system failures.
• 🍽️ There's a recognized need for a transformation in the food system to align with sustainability goals.
• 📈 Past transformations driven by technological innovation have not always led to healthier or more sustainable food systems.
• 🥩 The EAT-Lancet Commission suggests reducing global red meat consumption by about half for sustainability.
• 💸 Governments and industries continue to support and invest in sectors that contribute to unsustainable food practices.
• 🌍 Despite the need for reduction, global meat production is projected to increase significantly by 2030.
• 🗳️ Powerful actors, including agribusiness lobbyists, resist changes that could shift the food system towards sustainability.
• 🔬 Scientists and experts have a responsibility to critically engage with the political implications of their data and evidence.
• 🌿 For transformative change, innovation must be driven by sustainability principles, not just economic profit.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Chris Béné's lecture?

The main topic of Chris Béné's lecture is the political economy of food systems transformation.

What are the three key causes of food insecurity identified by the speaker at the international meeting Chris Béné attended?

The three key causes of food insecurity identified are climate change, geopolitical instability, and inequality.

Why does Chris Béné argue that inequality is not the root of the problem?

Chris Béné argues that inequality is not the root of the problem because it has existed for decades or even centuries, and the political and economic systems that have generated and continue to generate this inequality have not been fundamentally challenged.

What does Chris Béné suggest is needed for a great transformation of our food system?

Chris Béné suggests that for a great transformation of our food system, there needs to be a change that is not just in scale or magnitude, but also in intention, building a better system aligned with sustainability goals.

How does Chris Béné describe the current state of global food systems?

Chris Béné describes the current state of global food systems as unsustainable, contributing to climate change, and threatening planetary health.

What is the EAT-Lancet Commission's recommendation regarding red meat consumption and production?

The EAT-Lancet Commission recommends that the world should reduce production and consumption of red meat by about half to be sustainable.

What subsidies do the governments of China, Brazil, and the United States provide to the red meat industry, according to the lecture?

The governments of China, Brazil, and the United States provide billions of dollars in subsidies to the red meat industry annually. For instance, Tyson Foods and Smithfield Foods receive $570 million per year, the Chinese pork industry receives $22 billion per year, and the Brazilian federal government is a shareholder of JBS Foods.

Why does Chris Béné believe that market-driven innovation alone will not solve the problems of the food system?

Chris Béné believes that market-driven innovation alone will not solve the problems of the food system because innovations are driven by economic profit, not by sustainability principles, and the current food system, which is the result of technological innovation, has become highly unsustainable.

What responsibility does Chris Béné think scientists and experts have in ensuring food systems change in the right direction?

Chris Béné thinks scientists and experts have the responsibility to ensure food systems change in the right direction by becoming more critical of their role in society, acknowledging the political implications of the data they generate, and engaging more actively in the policy and decision-making process.

What two things does Chris Béné suggest we need to do to achieve transformative changes in the food system?

Chris Béné suggests that to achieve transformative changes in the food system, we need to: 1) Acknowledge that generating more data is not enough and actively support and challenge decision-makers, and 2) Turn the system on its head by having sustainability-oriented public policies proactively drive the innovation process.