Transition to a More Sustainable Food System

Abstract

The current animal-based food systems account for a significant portion of the world's carbon dioxide emissions, placing the planet on a path to 2.7 C warming by the end of the century. The current food systems have demolished more value than they added because of hidden medical and environmental costs, which essentially entail taking value from the future to earn profits now.  A shift to an environmentally sustainable (plant-based) food system can bring an estimated $10 trillion in benefits annually by raising human health and reducing the impact of climate change. A shift in the food system can be difficult politically. Still, it can yield immense economic and social benefits and is envisioned to. Changing diets and investing in new technologies can increase efficiency and reduce emissions. This transition can limit global warming and the amount of nitrogen run-off from agriculture.  The primary issue with the food transition plan is that food prices would increase.

As Editor-in-chief of the Pakistan Journal of Economic Studies, I invite academicians to research the constraints and cost-effective ways of this critical and need of the time transition.