"No nation will be immune from the impacts of climate change, to which we are contributing with both greenhouse gas emissions and energy and food waste. Despite the different opinions, 99% of researchers studying climate change agree on the fact that this change is irreversible and that the planet is getting warmer. One thing is certain, though: we all need to behave so as to slow down all the factors that can accelerate global warming. It's important to invest in sustainable systems: the US, Europe and China must provide an example and guide other countries."
Barack Obama, guest of honour at Seeds and Chips -The Global Food Innovation Summit on 9th May. He discussed food security and its economic, political and social effects on the global system.
"We need to think about the future for new generations and make them aware of the issues that concern the entire planet. We need to believe in the power of research, which is working on innovations and technologies to prepare us for this inevitable change, which will also affect politics and the economy."
"In some areas of the planet, which already have a subsistence economy, the effects of climate change are already being felt, so food suppliers are no longer certain. This leads to malnutrition and lack of wealth, factors that push populations to migrate towards Western countries, generating stress and repercussions on the political and social systems of the countries welcoming them."
According to Obama, food security is a problem affecting the poorer countries, while waste and bad eating habits are those affecting the more developed countries. The latter need to be educated: in the US, millions of people are obese or suffering from diabetes, leading to high medical expenditure. The number of people with these problems could diminish were they taught healthy eating habits. This issue is also strongly supported by Obama's wife, Michelle, who he mentioned multiple times during the speech.
Food security is an essential condition to work, live well and progress, and that's why it is important to guarantee it. "When the younger generations have no future or prospects, they radicalise and get involved in situations that are unhealthy. We need to tackle this change, but we mustn't fuel social inequality. It is essential to teach people how to be independent food-wise without destroying the planet."
