{"id":15092,"date":"2024-10-16T14:14:57","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T13:14:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/?p=15092"},"modified":"2024-11-04T11:03:34","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T11:03:34","slug":"feeding-billions-failing-nature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/10\/feeding-billions-failing-nature\/","title":{"rendered":"Feeding Billions, Failing Nature"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light curved-bottom\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"10648\" height=\"5990\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/lumin-osity-6DMht7wYt6g-unsplash.jpg\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"48% 22%\" style=\"object-position:48% 22%;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/lumin-osity-6DMht7wYt6g-unsplash.jpg 10648w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/lumin-osity-6DMht7wYt6g-unsplash-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/lumin-osity-6DMht7wYt6g-unsplash-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/lumin-osity-6DMht7wYt6g-unsplash-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 10648px) 100vw, 10648px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\"><h1 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-post-title\">Feeding Billions, Failing Nature<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2024-10-16T14:14:57+01:00\">16 October 2024<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"lead\">Today is World Food Day, currently our unsustainable food systems are one of the main drivers of nature&#8217;s decline. Florence Blondel, our Content and Campaigns Specialist reviews the impact of our food systems on the planet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cFood production is one of the main drivers of nature\u2019s decline: it\u2019s the leading cause of habitat loss, accounts for 70% of water use and is responsible for over a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<cite><a href=\"https:\/\/livingplanet.panda.org\/en-US\/\">Living Planet Report 2024<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"346\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/credit-Living-Planet-Report-2024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/credit-Living-Planet-Report-2024.png 624w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/credit-Living-Planet-Report-2024-300x166.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Living Planet Report 2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF OUR FOOD SYSTEMS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldwildlife.org\/publications\/2024-living-planet-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">latest Living Planet 2024 report<\/a> reaffirms what we at Population Matters have long recognized: <a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/food-water\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">food systems<\/a> are central to many environmental challenges, significantly driving habitat destruction, resource depletion, and climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, 40% of all habitable land\u2014approximately 4.2 billion hectares\u2014is used for food production. Of that, 71% (about 3 billion hectares) is dedicated to livestock grazing, with another 1.2 billion hectares for growing crops. Additionally, 460 million hectares are used to cultivate feed for livestock, meaning that 82% of all agricultural land is focused on sustaining livestock for meat, dairy, and poultry production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This highlights the <a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/food-water\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">immense environmental footprint of our food systems,<\/a> particularly those centered on animal agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/agriculture-1846116__480.jpg\" alt=\"cows grazing banner\" class=\"wp-image-2259\" style=\"width:660px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/agriculture-1846116__480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/agriculture-1846116__480-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/agriculture-1846116__480-680x425.jpg 680w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>MORE FOOD FOR US: MORE SPECIES EXTINCTIONS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/livingplanet.panda.org\/en-US\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Living Planet Report 2024<\/a>, habitat loss driven by agriculture threatens over 80% of all endangered terrestrial bird and mammal species. Overfishing is the primary cause of biodiversity loss in marine ecosystems. Industrial fishing now covers more than half of the ocean, with most activity concentrated in shallow coastal zones, leading to increased habitat degradation and further risks to threatened species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, more than 3 million hectares of mangroves and coastal habitats have been converted for aquaculture, particularly for shrimp and tilapia farming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The loss of wildlife poses a direct threat to food systems. The near extinction of key pollinators, for example, jeopardizes 5\u20138% of agricultural production, valued at US$235\u2013577 billion annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"728\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Foods-the-facts-rect-no-logo-1024x728.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15095\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Foods-the-facts-rect-no-logo-1024x728.png 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Foods-the-facts-rect-no-logo-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Foods-the-facts-rect-no-logo-768x546.png 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Foods-the-facts-rect-no-logo-1536x1093.png 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Foods-the-facts-rect-no-logo.png 1801w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unsustainable and UNFAIR <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite large-scale food production, over 735 million people still go to bed hungry each night, while obesity rates continue to rise. It&#8217;s clear that the global food system is failing to meet the needs of both people and the planet. This disconnect between food production and environmental sustainability raises concerns about our ability to feed a growing global population whilst protecting <a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/biodiversity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">biodiversity<\/a> and maintaining a stable climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission concluded that a \u201cGreat Food Transformation\u201d\u2014involving profound changes in diet and food production\u2014could sustainably feed a global population of 10 billion. However, they warned that feeding humanity without causing devastating environmental damage becomes &#8220;increasingly unlikely&#8221; if the population exceeds <a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/07\/the-road-to-10-billion-world-population-projections-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">10 billion.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Nature is being increasingly managed and harvested to keep pace with rising global demands for food, water, energy, timber, and more.<\/p>\n<cite><a href=\"https:\/\/livingplanet.panda.org\/en-US\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Living Planet Report 2024<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>UN demographers project that by 2100, the global population will range between 9 billion and 11.4 billion, thus surpassing the 10 billion cut-off for sustainable food production. The World Resources Institute (WRI) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wri.org\/food\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">estimates<\/a> that the world will need to close a 56% food gap by 2050, increasing food production from 13,100 trillion calories to 20,500 trillion calories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"802\" height=\"601\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/no_one_cares.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15003\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/no_one_cares.jpg 802w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/no_one_cares-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/no_one_cares-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 802px) 100vw, 802px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Expected population growth of 2.8 billion people between 2010 and 2050 drives the majority of the increase in food demand.<\/p>\n<cite><a href=\"https:\/\/research.wri.org\/sites\/default\/files\/2019-07\/creating-sustainable-food-future_2_5.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">World Resources Institute &#8211; Creating A Sustainable Food Future 2018<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Action for the future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/livingplanet.panda.org\/en-US\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Living Planet Report 2024<\/a> highlights that transitioning to a nature-positive food system is not just an environmental necessity but a moral one. To achieve this, we must focus on several key areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We need to optimize crop yields and livestock productivity while preventing further degradation of ecosystems. Sustainable farming practices that enhance soil health and protect biodiversity are essential to ensure long-term food security without harming the environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encouraging plant-based diets in high-income nations while addressing undernutrition in low-income regions is critical. Shifting dietary preferences to reduce the consumption of resource-intensive animal products can significantly lessen the pressure on ecosystems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With 30-40% of all food produced being wasted, addressing this inefficiency is crucial. Reducing food waste at every stage of the supply chain\u2014from farm to table\u2014can help alleviate the strain on both food systems and the environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Redirecting harmful subsidies toward sustainable agricultural practices is vital. Instead of supporting practices that degrade ecosystems, financial incentives should prioritize regenerative agriculture, conservation, and biodiversity-friendly methods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/food_small_-avel-chuklanov-223465-unsplash_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/food_small_-avel-chuklanov-223465-unsplash_1.jpg 640w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/food_small_-avel-chuklanov-223465-unsplash_1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">How to feed the world without destroying it<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF NATURE DEGRADATION<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the <a href=\"https:\/\/livingplanet.panda.org\/en-US\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Living Planet Report 2024<\/a> states, none of these solutions will be successful unless we address the root causes of nature degradation, which include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Consumption and production patterns<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Human population dynamics and trends<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trade and technological innovations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inadequate local and global governance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, despite identifying human population dynamics as a root cause, the report offers no <a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/solutions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">solutions for addressing them.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Incorporating population growth into the conversation around food systems is essential. With the global population surpassing 8 billion, the pressures on food production and natural resources will only grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sustainable population solutions, through family planning and education, must be part of the solution to ease the strain on food systems and create a more balanced relationship between people and the planet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a sustainable future, transforming food systems must go hand-in-hand with addressing the drivers of population growth, particularly in regions where food insecurity and environmental degradation intersect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-share\"><a class=\"fb-share\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpopulationmatters.org%2Fnews%2F2024%2F10%2Ffeeding-billions-failing-nature%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><div><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 32H48A48 48 0 0 0 0 80v352a48 48 0 0 0 48 48h137.25V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.27c-30.81 0-40.42 19.12-40.42 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V480H400a48 48 0 0 0 48-48V80a48 48 0 0 0-48-48z\"><\/path><\/svg> Share<\/div><\/a><a class=\"tw-share\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpopulationmatters.org%2Fnews%2F2024%2F10%2Ffeeding-billions-failing-nature%2F&amp;text=Feeding%20Billions%2C%20Failing%20Nature\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><div><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M459.37 151.716c.325 4.548.325 9.097.325 13.645 0 138.72-105.583 298.558-298.558 298.558-59.452 0-114.68-17.219-161.137-47.106 8.447.974 16.568 1.299 25.34 1.299 49.055 0 94.213-16.568 130.274-44.832-46.132-.975-84.792-31.188-98.112-72.772 6.498.974 12.995 1.624 19.818 1.624 9.421 0 18.843-1.3 27.614-3.573-48.081-9.747-84.143-51.98-84.143-102.985v-1.299c13.969 7.797 30.214 12.67 47.431 13.319-28.264-18.843-46.781-51.005-46.781-87.391 0-19.492 5.197-37.36 14.294-52.954 51.655 63.675 129.3 105.258 216.365 109.807-1.624-7.797-2.599-15.918-2.599-24.04 0-57.828 46.782-104.934 104.934-104.934 30.213 0 57.502 12.67 76.67 33.137 23.715-4.548 46.456-13.32 66.599-25.34-7.798 24.366-24.366 44.833-46.132 57.827 21.117-2.273 41.584-8.122 60.426-16.243-14.292 20.791-32.161 39.308-52.628 54.253z\"><\/path><\/svg> Tweet<\/div><\/a><a class=\"li-share\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpopulationmatters.org%2Fnews%2F2024%2F10%2Ffeeding-billions-failing-nature%2F&amp;text=Feeding%20Billions%2C%20Failing%20Nature\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><div><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg> Post<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-light-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-grid grid grid-3\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-post-teaser\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/biodiversity\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3>Biodiversity<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jenna-lee-122713-unsplash_crop-768x413.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-2180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jenna-lee-122713-unsplash_crop-768x413.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jenna-lee-122713-unsplash_crop-300x161.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jenna-lee-122713-unsplash_crop-1024x551.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jenna-lee-122713-unsplash_crop-1536x826.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jenna-lee-122713-unsplash_crop-2048x1101.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/img>\n\t\t\t\t<p>Nature is under pressure as never before. One million species are under the threat of extinction. Our human population is one of the drivers of the biodiversity crisis. Learn more. <\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-post-teaser\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/10\/green-growth-sustainable-future-or-myth-part-one\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3>Green Growth: Sustainable Future or Myth? &#8211; Part One<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/matthew-smith-768x511.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-15001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/matthew-smith-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/matthew-smith-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/matthew-smith.jpg 939w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/img>\n\t\t\t\t<p>Green Growth asserts that continued economic growth can be compatible with staying in the ecological limits of our planet, with measures to decouple GDP growth from environmental impacts. It\u2019s become popular amongst policymakers, but climate scientists are sceptical that green growth can ever truly be green.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-post-teaser\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/food-water\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3>Food &amp; Water<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tractors_joao-marcelo-marques-791496-unsplash-768x432.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-2296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tractors_joao-marcelo-marques-791496-unsplash-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tractors_joao-marcelo-marques-791496-unsplash-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tractors_joao-marcelo-marques-791496-unsplash-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tractors_joao-marcelo-marques-791496-unsplash-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tractors_joao-marcelo-marques-791496-unsplash-2048x1151.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/img>\n\t\t\t\t<p>We need healthy nature to provide us with two of the most essential resources for our survival: food and water. Increasing human population pressure, overconsumption and climate change are depleting&#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Today is World Food Day, currently our unsustainable food systems are one of the main drivers of nature&#8217;s decline. Florence Blondel, our Content and Campaigns Specials reviews the impact of our food systems on the planet. ","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":13388,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[10,14,18],"class_list":["post-15092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-biodiversity","tag-environment","tag-food_water"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Feeding Billions, Failing Nature - Population Matters<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Today is World Food Day, currently our unsustainable food systems are one of the main drivers of nature&#039;s decline. 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