The Edinburgh Climate Festival this year showcased many of the short- and long-term challenges we are facing both locally and globally. However, it was good to see so many people attend the event and learn more from organisations that strive towards being the change that’s necessary towards a sustainable future.
IntelliDigest at the Edinburgh Climate Festival
IntelliDigest is playing a key role in empowering global food system sustainability. Considering that the way we grow, distribute and consume food today contributes to over 30% of the global greenhouse gas emission; our participation at the Edinburgh Climate festival was very impactful especially now that we are facing the rise in food prices and growing hunger not just in developing countries, but even in developed countries. It was good to engage with attendees as they were visiting our stall to inquire on the impact of the food we eat on our health and environment. The attendees were invited to download the World Food Tracker application (www.WorldFoodtracker.com) for further insight as well as take action by planning meals, tracking nutrient consumption, tracking food waste, buying local, etc.
Being able to track our food consumption is the first step towards understanding the relationship we have with the food we eat. Only after this can we start to make better choices that have a positive impact not just on our health but also the environment. This includes the places from where we source our food, and whether we choose seasonal products over exotic goods imported from thousands of miles away. Having access to local, affordable and nutritious food is crucial towards a better food system.
The Good Food Nation Bill
The recently passed Good Food Nation Bill is a much welcome addition towards the effort of building a better food system in Scotland. The Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022 requires Scottish Ministers and certain public authorities to produce plans of their policies in relation to food and set out what they will do to make those plans real.
These plans will also have to set out the main outcomes to be achieved in relation to food-related issues, the policies needed to do this and the measures that will be used to assess progress.
These plans will deliver outcomes which support e.g. our nation’s social and economic wellbeing, the environment, people’s health and physical and mental wellbeing, economic development, animal welfare, education and child poverty.
In order to make all of this happen, however, we do need everyone’s participation. As consumers, business owners, farmers, and policy makers. We all have a role to fulfil. Taking positive action is imperative.