![vegetables thrown in the trash](https://sotp.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Trashed_vegetables_in_Luxembourg-1200x900.jpg)
Every morning when I step out of my Harlem apartment, I see a disappointing sight. Black garbage bags litter the sidewalk, revealing the remains of last night's uneaten meal at the Italian restaurant on the corner. Still, if Pomodoro Pasta were priced at $24, I imagine customers would clear their plates away instead of leaving them to be fed to the local rats.
It's a frustrating sight, especially when people are lining up at food pantries for their next meal a block away.
No Food Waste DayThe event, observed each year on April 24, serves as an important reminder that even in resource-rich cities like New York, food is distributed in ways that highlight vast socio-economic disparities. I am. Food waste is also exacerbating the current climate crisis and must be addressed if we are to achieve it. net zero economy.
On my way west to Columbia University, I witnessed the same pattern of waste. I attend professional events without ever running out of food. The buffet features finely chopped colorful vegetables, evenly distributed appetizers, cheese platters, and hot dishes such as mushroom soup and vegetarian stew. But in many cases, a large amount of food is left untouched and goes to waste due to guidelines prohibiting it from being served at later events.
I'm pretty confident that the event I'm attending is the least wasteful event at Columbia University. Because these events are aimed at students of sustainability and climate change who understand the importance of minimizing food waste. Some participants even bring in Tupperware to take home their leftovers.
According to someone paper When it comes to the health of our planet, wealthy societies waste more than 30% of the food they buy. Agricultural systems that lead to food waste not only contribute to: gas emissions In addition to being located in landfills, it accounts for 70% of all freshwater use, is a major source of global water pollution, contributes to approximately 80% of global deforestation, and in turn reduces land use. leading to change and loss of biodiversity.
In New York City alone, emissions from food production and consumption account for 20% of the city's total emissions, ranking third. biggest source of informationbehind buildings and transportation.
After all, whether your pomodoro pasta satisfies your hunger or ends up in the garbage, the emissions required to grow wheat, productive tomatoes, and basil end up in the atmosphere. And the energy and fuel used to transport, store, and prepare food is already being used, whether it's a human enjoying the comforting, tangy taste of a meal or a rat scavenging.
Reducing food waste requires food system-centered institutional reforms to be implemented at various levels of the food supply chain. These should include regulations and incentives for businesses to reduce waste through better inventory management, improved distribution systems, and consumer education programs.
Government agencies and influential institutions, such as the New York City government and Columbia University, will play an important role in leading system change in New York and will develop effective policies and initiatives to combat food waste. It is necessary to take responsibility for implementation.
Additionally, change is often initiated by community pressure, so organizations and student organizations should each encourage local governments and academic institutions to take action.
organizations like city harvest They have already begun to make a difference by taking produce that would otherwise end up in landfills and redistributing it to food pantries across the city. According to 2021-2022 report, the organization rescued approximately 102 million pounds of food, 75% of which was fresh produce. By making these items freely available to the community, the organization is not only reducing food waste, but also working to combat food insecurity.
Opportunities for individual action, such as composting food waste, have also increased in recent years and can be an essential contribution to reducing environmental impact. local markets etc. Columbia Sunday Green Marketproviding local communities with a place to drop off their fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables and compost.
New York City has already introduced composting container Across the five boroughs, organizations and student organizations must continue to advocate for better waste management practices at the government level and within educational institutions to help New Yorkers manage their food and plant waste.
As I walked from Columbia to my apartment after a long day, my black bag was retrieved and the Italian restaurant was packed with customers for the evening. All I hope is that tonight's guests are hungry enough to taste the pasta and empty their plates to clear the sidewalks tomorrow.
Lilia Sauler is a graduate student in climate and society specializing in climate change communication. She holds a dual bachelor's degree in Journalism and International Communication from Baruch College. This article was written as an assignment for a class on strategic communication for climate change at the Climate School.
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Columbia Climate School, Earth Institute, or Columbia University.