As the shadows of climate catastrophe loom large, anxieties over rising temperatures and melting glaciers dominate the narrative. While discussions about renewables, emissions reductions, and adaptation rightfully demand our attention, one vital dish remains tucked away at the back of the buffet, often under-seasoned and overlooked. It was on the 10th day of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) that a crucial turning point in the fight against climate change occurred with an urgent call to transform our global food and agriculture systems. Recognising the urgency of a sustainable and just food system transition, significant financial pledges were made to propel impactful actions forward. Multiple pavilions of global and national organisations showcased possible pathways, including India’s Community Managed Natural Farming initiative in Andhra Pradesh. The Agriculture, Food and Climate Action Toolkit was launched to assist countries in translating their commitments to actions. These are a few notable steps forward, among many more, that took place during the food day at COP 28.Just weeks prior to COP 28, the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s State of Food and Agriculture Report (SOFA) 2023 rang alarm bells. Beyond concerns of hunger, climate change, or dwindling resources, a silent but insidious epidemic plague our food systems – hidden costs. These costs, encompassing environmental, social, and health downsides masked by low price tags, stand at a staggering $10 trillion annually. They are the polluted rivers choked by agricultural runoff, fertile soil eroded by chemical-intensive practices, and communities ravaged by climate shocks induced by our insatiable appetite for cheap food. Also read: What Is COP and Why Should I Care?The report was a stark indictment of our current agricultural model. Beyond being a climate culprit, it stands as a chronic abuser, emitting a staggering 24% of global greenhouse gases, poisoning soil and waterways, and leaving millions vulnerable to food insecurity and malnutrition. This model, built on sand, is teetering on the brink of collapse under the weight of its own ecological transgressions. These environmental consequences translate into tangible threats such as droughts, floods, and a climate crisis threatening the very foundations of our food security. But the hidden costs extend far beyond environmental woes. Farmers, the backbone of this system, often bear the brunt of its injustices. Trapped in a cycle of debt and low prices, they struggle to provide for their families while our plates overflow with cheap food. With rising food price inflation, a majority of households earning less than Rs 10,000 a month, find nutritious food unaffordable. This situation forces households satiate themselves with ultra-processed, least nutritious and cheap food, exacerbating their vulnerability to malnutrition and hunger. Both the food day at COP 28 and SOFA 2023 shine a spotlight on the true price of our food choices. They force us to confront the social and environmental externalities baked into every bite, the costs shouldered by future generations and forgotten corners of the world. The clock is ticking on both our climate and our plates. Ignoring food system transformation is like trying to douse a raging inferno with a damp tea towel. We need a radical change in the recipe, a revolutionary shift from the current model to one that nourishes both, the people and the planet equally.To embark on this culinary revolution, we must demand six key ingredients:Embrace nature-based solutionsAgro-ecology, regenerative agriculture, and ecosystem restoration are not fringe movements but the foundation of a resilient future. We need to ditch the chemical crutches and monoculture monotony for diverse landscapes teeming with life and productivity. Let us embrace agro-ecology – mimicking nature’s symphony of diverse crops, healthy soil, and symbiotic relationships between plants and animals. Regenerative agriculture adds a dash of carbon sequestration, building fertile soil that traps greenhouse gases and boosts climate resilience.Prioritise biodiversity and sustainable land managementThe tapestry of life is not an ornament, but the very fabric of our food systems. Protecting and restoring biodiversity, from pollinators to soil microbes, is not a luxury. It is the bedrock of food security and ecosystem health. Biodiversity is not just a colourful garnish; it is the lifeblood of the ecosystem, the pollinators, the nutrient cyclers, the natural pest control. We need to stop stripping the land bare and start protecting and restoring vital habitats. Agroforestry, organic farming, and ecosystem restoration must be the new culinary trends. Illustration: Pariplab ChakrabortyCultivate food system equityCheap food often comes at a hidden cost to farmers, communities, and the environment. We need to restructure food systems that empower farmers, prioritise fair prices and ensure access to nutritious food for all. This is not just an ethical imperative, it is a key ingredient for long-term stability and resilience.Transform food systemsIt is not just about what we grow, but how we eat and waste. Let us reduce food waste and invest in efficient distribution systems. We need to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food, not just a privileged few.Incorporate innovation and technologyClimate-smart agriculture, sustainable packaging, and alternative protein sources offer promising solutions to reduce waste, optimise resource use and diversify our food options. But these tools cannot remain the exclusive domain of corporations; equitable access and knowledge sharing are crucial for widespread adoption and impact.Support collaboration and collective actionThis culinary revolution cannot be cooked in a one-person kitchen. We need a collaborative feast, with governments, NGOs, businesses, researchers, and farmers all pulling up a chair at the table. Let this moment be a catalyst for multi-stakeholder partnerships, fostering knowledge exchange and joint action.The price of food is not what we pay at the checkout, but what we pay with our environment, our health, and our future. We can no longer afford to ignore the hidden costs. We need to build a future where affordability and sustainability dance hand-in-hand, and nourishment serves as a bridge between present and future generations. The tools, knowledge, and ingredients are at our disposal. All that is missing is the political will to transform our food systems. Let us raise our voices and demand a menu for change, turn up the heat on food system transformation, ensuring that every plate on the table is filled with sustainable, equitable, and climate-friendly nourishment. We owe it to ourselves, to the planet, and to the future generations who deserve a feast, not a famine.Sheetal Patil is a senior research consultant at Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Bengaluru. Using sustainability lens, she examines possibilities to transform food and agriculture at a systemic level.
